5 Screw S&W .38 Special - want to determine age and any detail

[BillP3]

My .38 Special Revolver came to me from my Father. I do not know the history. Trying to determine age first. I did the ser# search on a S&W search page with 'no results'

left side barrel: 'Smith & Wesson'
right side barrel: 38 S.& W.SPECIAL CTG.

'what does CTG. stand for?

left side frame: blank
right side frame: Trade Mark
and

MADE IN USA
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS

serial number on butt: C 185264
Numbers on yoke-front of barrel 24659 with an 8 above and below, i.e.;

8
24 65 9
8

Markings on back of cylinder: C 185264
Under barrel concealed by extractor rod: C 185264
Swing arm: 24659

can someone tell me the age and any other information that can be gleaned from these numbers and markings?

thanks

 

[Jimmyjones]

CTG is cartridge, traveling, so I don't have my book, but probably early 50's. It's what became the Model 10 after 1957. It's in great shape, looks like a 5" barrel, very cool. Looks like original stocks (grips), the serial number should be stamped inside the right stock.

Someone with a closer date will be by to answer.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

It appears you have a 5" postwar .38 Military & Police (M&P).

My favorite.

One of the experts will be along to tell you when the factory shipped your revolver. I'm thinking early '50s.

 

[cmansguns]

Welcome from Virginia

You inherited a very nice gun! Our main reference book, the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition lists C prefix serial numbers as starting 1948 with C1 and to 1951 with C223998 so there is the approximate range for your gun.

As posted by others, in 1957 S&W began stamping Model numbers in the yoke area and yours would become the Model 10...probably the most popular police gun the world over until the 1980's-1990's when semi-automatics took over.

Welcome to the Forum.We hope you stay around and let us know if we can assist you further with any questions you may have. The other numbers you show are just assembly numbers to keep the main parts (frame, cylinder, barrel) together during final assembly, finishing and test firing before shipment.

I'm down to 2 Model 10's myself, one blue, one shiny and they are still some of my most fun (and accurate) S&W revolvers.

 

[JP@AK]

As stated by others, it is a .38 Military & Police model. Serial numbers in that range are all over the map timewise, in the 1951-1952 period. The closest to yours that I've identified is serial number C187221 and it shipped in May, 1952. But I show one with a higher serial number that shipped in November, 1951.

All we can give you is an estimation, but it will likely be in that same period.

Yours appears to be wearing its original stocks. At the very least, they are period correct.

 

[BillP3]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and the welcome. Appreciate knowing I most likely have a 1951-52 revolver. From all the videos I've seen this 5 screw configuration is 'the original' 38 Special which eventually became the model 10. Is this revolver rare considering configuration, age, condition. Does anyone have an estimated value. I'm not wanting to sell but would like to know. I broke this weapon down as far as I was comfortable; stocks off, barrel and frame plate off and cleaned/oiled internal parts well. It was actually very clean and somewhat oiled internally. I was not ready to remove all the parts although from the YouTube video it looked doable, except for the few custom tools the gunsmith said were needed that I do not have. It was a bit of a challenge getting the hammer block lined up right with the side plate on reassembly but I got it. I have not taken this to the range yet but can't wait to be honest. Right now I'm finding it almost impossible to find ammo. Any tips on firing when I get to the range? If I have questions I know where to go.

 

[Art Doc]

S&W's most popular model. Millions made. Not rare but a nice gun and sought after. Guessing $400 in nice shape.

It will handle any factory loaded 38 Special ammo. Yes, due to social and political issues ammo is very hard to find right now. We can hope things will get better in time.

 

[JP@AK]

From all the videos I've seen this 5 screw configuration is 'the original' 38 Special which eventually became the model 10.

Yes, sort of. Eventually (1958) it became the Model 10. It was originally introduced in 1899, and underwent multiple engineering changes over the years. The version you have came along in 1948. Until c. 1904, it only had four frame screws - the one in the front of the trigger guard was added that year. The top sideplate screw was eliminated in 1956.

Is this revolver rare considering configuration, age, condition.

No, not at all.

Does anyone have an estimated value.

Around $400.

Right now I'm finding it almost impossible to find ammo.

Most likely a temporary problem. We've been through this before, usually in an election year.

If you handload and have a stash of components, it isn't a problem at all.

Welcome to the wonderful world of S&W ownership.