4 SCREW WITH LANYARD RING

[hoosiertraps]

Recently acquired a Smith & Wesson Revolver in 38 SP. Serial #
764159 appears to be a four (4) screw w/ 5in Barrel. Also has lanyard ring in butt. Any info on identity and history would be greatly appreciated... Purchase was a "twofer" and second gun is Smith & Wesson (three screw ?) has small trademark on left sideplate 5 in barrel serial # 480561 also has No. 1129 C.P.D, on back strap and CPD in circle on butt....any info would be great !!!

 

[boatbum101]

It really helps if you also post pictures . Without we're just going by serial #'s which may or may not be accurate . Does it look anything like this one ? What are the markings on the barrel ? On the bottom side the flat part above the extractor rod should be some #'s stamped , also on the back of the cylinder too . Are these & #'s stamped on the butt are the same ? Pics posted are of a 38 M&P .

 

[hsguy]

Welcome to the forum. We will need more information to help you out. Are there any letters in front of the serial numbers on the butt? Are you sure you counted all the screws including the one in front of the trigger guard and depending on the style of the grips there is often one hidden under there. Good quality photos would be the easiest way to get info.

 

[cgt4570]

What the others have said! If the serial number you list doesn't start with a letter, then that is a 5-screw gun. Count the 4 on the sideplate plus the one in front of the trigger guard.

 

[Waidmann]

One-at-a-time. 764159 is firmly in the Battle of Britain era (Anything over 612XXX) and the odds heavily favor shipment to the UK or Commonwealth, the odds also favor .38 S&W vs. the Special. Photos are always preferred, but what additional details (or lack thereof) can you offer? The butt swivel brands it as a military contract. Property or proofmarks (check the butt for handstamps), is it truly a special?


This is interesting- - -expand!

 

[Goony]

One-at-a-time. 764159 is firmly in the Battle of Britain era (Anything over 612XXX) and the odds heavily favor shipment to the UK or Commonwealth, the odds also favor .38 S&W vs. the Special. The butt swivel brands it as a military contract.

Still plenty of commercial and civilian contract production in this serial number range (c.1941), including ones with butt swivels.

The following thread may be of interest with regards to the second revolver under discussion here (c. early 1920's): http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/202242-cpd-marked-revolver.html

Finally, I'll echo everybody else's request for some photos to be posted....

 

[Waidmann]

Gooney, that was "issued" to an officer in 1943, (butt swivel not visible) with a serial in the 400K range. Had it been a Victory sold to a department or officer by the Defense Supplies Corporation in 1943, no argument.Nor am I saying every swivel was a military contract either.

I am not saying anything is impossible, simply the greater majority..... of revolvers in this timeframe were........

S&W had the light rifle fiasco fallout to deal with etc. Brits had priority.

Smith also shipped a limited number of .38 Specials to Britain sometime before going over to exclusive production of .38 S&W for a time.

All the angles are worth exploring, but never rush to exclude the likely.

 

[handejector]

The butt swivel brands it as a military contract.

Not necessarily.
All the frames were being drilled, in my opinion, after the 38/200 production became predominant.
The factory devoted all production capability to 38/200's only between Oct, 40 and late Feb, 41, when the 38 Spec was placed back into production.
There were 38 Specials made during the other months of 40 along with 38/200's. (Pate, pg 128)

This thread shows a drilled commercial 38 Spec-
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...dd-duck-interesting-38-m-p.html#post136273309

Attached is a pic of another:
Ser # 795708.
38 Spec
6 inch
Original Swivel
NO military marks.

 

[kennyb]

and...lets not forget plenty of swivels were placed on police weapons as well...

 

[Goony]

Not necessarily.
All the frames were being drilled, in my opinion, after the 38/200 production became predominant.
The factory devoted all production capability to 38/200's only between Oct, 40 and late Feb, 41, when the 38 Spec was placed back into production.
There were 38 Specials made during the other months of 40 along with 38/200's. (Pate, pg 128)

Ser # 795708. 38 Spec 6 inch Original Swivel NO military marks.

Lee, I also have a 6 inch .38 Special with a factory butt swivel, totally commercial as well, just a bit further along than yours in serial numbering, in the 803000 range.

 

[cville-trucker]

I have S&W .38 and was looking for some historical information on the gun. New to the forum and not familiar with gun terminology; I believe this to be a 5 screw if you count the 3 on the side plate, the one on front side of trigger guard and the one on the inside edge of handle. I will attach 3 pictures, I am unable to get clear close up of the markings though. Serial # on bottom is 818771, no letter designation. under the hand grip were the #'s 321 and 688. Barrel measures 5" from fromt of cylinder to tip. 6 shot, markings include 38/380, on the barrel it 2 symbols, letters appear to be "NP", a symbol, "S&W CTG" and another symbol.
Is there any significance to the # of screws? What is the vintage? Likeliness of it being military? Value? Thanks

 

[boatbum101]

It's a Model 1905 4th change Military & Police . They were made in 38 special & 38 S&W . Yours is 38S&W or as the British called it 38/200 . Your gun was made for the British / Commonwealth . The 38/380 & NP are their military markings . This was a Lend Lease gun . The 38 S&W has a shorter case & larger case diameter than the 38 special . The bore is also larger . Also it is not as powerful as the 38 special . Many of these were converted / butchered to 38 special . Because of originally being chambered for a fatter case 38special cases will split when fired in them . They don't have much value especially if converted as above . Without clear in focus pics I can't be sure about yours . Appearance wise yours hasn't been chopped up . If still chambered in 38 S&W it'll be an OK plinker .

 

[Hondo44]

I have S&W .38 and was looking for some historical information on the gun. New to the forum and not familiar with gun terminology; I believe this to be a 5 screw if you count the 3 on the side plate, the one on front side of trigger guard and the one on the inside edge of handle. I will attach 3 pictures, I am unable to get clear close up of the markings though. Serial # on bottom is 818771, no letter designation. under the hand grip were the #'s 321 and 688. Barrel measures 5" from fromt of cylinder to tip. 6 shot, markings include 38/380, on the barrel it 2 symbols, letters appear to be "NP", a symbol, "S&W CTG" and another symbol.
Is there any significance to the # of screws? What is the vintage? Likeliness of it being military? Value? Thanks

You do have a 5 screw but they are the 4 on the sideplate (one hidden under the stock panel) and one in front of the trigger guard. The grip frame screw is not counted in the "5 screw" designation.

 

[cville-trucker]

Thanks for information on the gun. Was this made in the 1940's or what era? Someone who looked at the gun thought it might have been used by pilots during the war. I could not verify that.

 

[boatbum101]

Probably 1940 or 1941

 

[Goony]

Thanks for information on the gun. Was this made in the 1940's or what era? Someone who looked at the gun thought it might have been used by pilots during the war. I could not verify that.

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Your revolver most likely dates to 1941. The later "Victory" version of this model was (in the 4" barrel, .38 Special caliber configuration) widely carried by U.S. pilots, particularly naval aviators. British military usage was much more varied, though.

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet (and you may in fact already be aware) that the stocks (grips) on your example are not the originals, although they do appear to be pretty nice vintage ones nonetheless. Yours are what are known as magna stocks - the ones that your gun originally came with would have been the service style like those on the revolver shown in post #8 of this thread.