Any info. on this .38?

[scott1970]

A buddy wants to buy this, but he has no clue as to value or age. I don't either beyond it wouldn't be worth much to me.

It has the original grips (not pictured, obviously) which are numbered to the gun, but he hasn't sent me a picture of them. The current owner says it has been re-blued. Ser. no. 977XX.

Thanks -Scott

 

[JP@AK]

977XX is not the serial number. We need to know what is stamped on the butt. The hammer, knurled extractor rod and Made in U.S.A. pretty much narrow this down to the year 1948.

Take off those post 1979 stocks and look on the butt for the real serial number. It probably starts with the letter S.

I can't seem to blow up the pictures, but I don't see evidence of a refinish.

 

[scott1970]

I went with the number provided, but it turns out he gave me the number inside the yoke. I would have really thought he would have known better.

The actual serial number is C153X.

 

[JP@AK]

Very cool, scott1970. That is a very early C prefix revolver with the one line address. Not many of those were made because the four line address showed up almost immediately after the C prefix came into use in March, 1948. This one almost certainly shipped in 1948. It is a .38 Military & Police model with the 6" barrel.

From what I can see, it is probably about a $550-$600 item, especially if it still has the original sharp shoulder Magna stocks. Two years ago, you could have bought it for $400-$475.

 

[doublesharp]

Reblue kills value especially if it's shooter grade to start with. If I'm buying I'd start at $300 and after handling it if everything was right might go $400.

 

[JP@AK]

doublesharp

I see no evidence whatsoever that it was reblued. The OP privately sent me another photo, and that as well as the photos shown here indicate the original blue finish.