1929-Smith & Wesson Hammerless 38 Special CTG

[dstine]

Just got this as part of a collection I'm selling and would like some info on it. Year made...approx value...history...anything you may have...Much appreciated. S/N 258144

Thank you!

 

[jjbrewst1]

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[DWalt]

Yours is likely a .38 Safety Hammerless, fifth model. It has 1920's-style grips, but the serial number is required for dating. The caliber would NOT be .38 Special, but rather .38 S&W, which is considerably more difficult to find. These revolvers were cataloged and sold until about 1940, but in fact most production of this model ended by the late 1920s.

It looks to be in nice un-abused condition, and I'd say you wouldn't have a lot of trouble selling it for $350-400. It actually still makes a pretty good personal defense/concealed carry weapon despite its age and the chambering in a fairly anemic cartridge (even so, the .38 S&W is just as good as a .380).

 

[dstine]

Serial number...

is #258144...if that helps...thank you for the info...

 

[DWalt]

#258144 is very close to the end of production. The .38 SH revolvers stopped at SN 261493. I'd guess yours left the factory sometime in the late 1930s, but without a factory letter, there is no way of knowing an exact date of shipment.

 

[glowe]

That is a nice condition 38 Safety. The last serial number for this model of 38 was 261,493, with a manufacturing date of 1940.Yours would date to the very late 1930s as DeWalt states, but these revolvers were not sold in serial number order. The walnut stocks are very nice and uncommon, since they only show up on the late examples. Do they have a serial number one the right one?

With a little Flitz or Mothers Mag polish and a coat of wax, you will find this one will really shine. If all serial numbers match, I would say you could see $500 at auction.