38 SPL Questions

[Wave65]

So I recently inherited this pistol and was told it was a "detective gun" of some sort but know very little about it and was hoping to get more information and possibly a price. It has seen some better days but isn't in the worst of conditions. It's hand ejected, serial number 98##, 38 SPL CTG, no model number in the yoke, barrel is 1 and (slightly longer than) 3/4in long, Fixed sights. All screws are visible in the picture, and there is the "grip" safety. If you need any more info I can try to help you out with that Thank you

 

[Texas Star]

It 's a Centennial Airweight;the frame is aluminum. The barrel says so on the right, so we know it isn't the all-steel one.


After model numbers were assigned in 1957, it was Model 42. The steel frame version was Model 40.


Collectors like them this old and will pay a premium over what the public will, for its utility value.


The hammer is internal, to avoid snags. You presumably know that you have to depress the grip safety to fire the gun. The current version lacks that grip safety.


The finish looks good in the photos, although the grips are a bit dull and need a coat of suitable finish. Some collectors recoil in horror at any refinishing, so I'll let one of them come along and give you a value range and comment on shining up the grips/stocks a little.


I personally will not buy one of these hammerless guns, as I like to cock the hammer for more precise shooting at longer ranges. I also think they're truly ugly. Others differ, and some will pay more for one than for a conventional revolver.


As a using gun, figure on $350-450, depending on how badly someone wants it. As for collector value, one of those guys will probably give you an estimate. Check back.


The factory does NOT advise using high velocity (Plus P) ammo in Airweight guns, or in all-steel ones made before model numbers were assigned. There are exceptions, but this gun isn't one of them.

 

[linde]

. . . You presumably know that you have to depress the grip safety to fire the gun . . .

The grip safety can be disabled by pinning it down . . . either using the pin provided by S&W and stowed in the grip frame under the stocks in a hole for that purpose, or simply making a pin of the appropriate diameter and length.

Be careful when removing the stocks. If the pin is still there it will likely fall out on the bench . . . or the floor.

You have a well-loved example of an outstanding concealed carry revolver there . . .

Russ

 

[Mistered]

I personally will not buy one of these hammerless guns, as I like to cock the hammer for more precise shooting at longer ranges.

Glad to see someone else thinks the same way I do!

 

[19leben]

I have always liked the Centennials. And OPs gun looks well loved and used. I like the edge wear, and general patina of this one.

I would put a value of $350 - $375 on it, except for insurance purposes; for this I always valuate higher.

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[Dillyp]

It's fairly early too. I think the "bug" screw went away in 1955?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Your gun is called a Centennial. S&W announced the release of the steel and airweight guns in 1952, the company's "centennial" year. Shipping in earnest, however, didn't begin until the next year. There were only 30,160 of these and the steel frames produced through 1971. I know of several in the low 2,000 serial number range that shipped in November 1953 so I'm guessing yours could have shipped as late as '55.

There is another screw hiding under the top of the stock on the side plate, making it a four-screw model. The tiny lock screw is not counted as another screw.

A common nickname for the Centennials is lemon squeezer, dating back to earlier S&W days when the company made revolvers that had the grip safety.

You have a great little revolver there. It has lots of character.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Arik]

Detective special or chief specials were small 5 shot 38spl caliber guns. Doesn't mean it was necessarily carried by a detective although it could have

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[Absalom]

....... I also think they're truly ugly. Others differ, and some will pay more for one than for a conventional revolver.
......

Yep, others sure do . I actually think the Centennial is the slickest, most elegant gun S&W has ever produced, and paid for a nice one just to have it, even though it falls outside my collecting interest, and for carrying I also prefer a Model 36 that's cockable.

The Centennial is also the most small-child-safe handgun ever designed. Nothing is impossible, but for someone without a sufficiently large and strong hand to produce the simultaneous counter-pressure needed to squeeze the grip safety and pull through on the DA trigger is about as close to impossible as you can get. I've recommended the type to a few folks who felt a need to carry while having little ones around.

 

[Dreslan]

Welcome! If I may ask, what are your plans with the revolver? Also, do you know any of its history? It is certainly a gun that detectives or other plainclothes types would carry, and it appears to have some honest holster wear and possibly a bit of shooting, judging from the wear on the grip safety.

 

[DWalt]

I'd date it at about mid-1952, possibly a little later (98xx). On my list is 93xx a pre-40 which shipped in 5/52. Not the same gun, but one very similar (a model 38 Bodyguard), was used by General Nguyen Ngoc Loan in the 1968 execution of a Viet Cong in 1968. I think everyone has seen that picture.

 

[red9]

Very nice little gun. I used to carry one as an off duty/backup. Yours appears to have a steel cylinder. Some of the early ones had an alloy cylinder, not considered safe to fire. The factory offered to replace those with a steel cylinder at no charge.

The Centennial is also the most small-child-safe handgun ever designed. Nothing is impossible, but for someone without a sufficiently large and strong hand to produce the simultaneous counter-pressure needed to squeeze the grip safety and pull through on the DA trigger is about as close to impossible as you can get. I've recommended the type to a few folks who felt a need to carry while having little ones around.

Safe, yes; childproof, no. i was once involved in a case where a three year old accidentally shot someone with a High Standard derringer. For anyone who has ever fired one, that gun has a significantly heavier trigger pull than a double action Smith.

Bob

 

[Absalom]

Very nice little gun. I used to carry one as an off duty/backup......

Safe, yes; childproof, no. ..... For anyone who has ever fired one, that gun has a significantly heavier trigger pull than a double action Smith.

Bob

Bob:

I'm sure you're right, but the point is not the heavy trigger pull, but the coordinated linear counter-push needed on grip safety AND heavy trigger. If your hand is too small, it won't work.

 

[tops]

I'd date it at about mid-1952, possibly a little later (98xx). On my list is 93xx a pre-40 which shipped in 5/52.

I have serial# 58xx that shipped 1/55 per Jinks letter. More proof they didn't ship in serial # sequence. Larry
It does not have a bug screw.