Backbone of Smith & Wesson: the .38 Special Revolver

[Vulcan Bob]

We need a gun show. Pictures please!

Ok Wiregrassguy, I got off my duff and found most of em for the pics. I was mistaken about the count, only have 28, must have mentally counted a couple twice when I came up with 31! Still cant find right now another M-15 and M-10 heavy barrel, just dont want to dig through the single action safes and may or may not have put them in there as overflow locations or maybe Gwenny the gun cat got em. Anyhoo here we go.

Pic one. Top row left to right
1905 4th target 1927 vintage
M-681-3 CRPD (Con Rail Police Dept) in 38 Special
K-38 birthyear of 1954
Second row left to right
1905 4th 1940-41 vintage
M&P mid 50s five inch
K-38 Combat Masterpiece 1950 vintage
Third row left to right
M-14-4 8 3/8th inch barrel
M-14-3
M-15-3
Fourth row left to right
M-67-1
M15-3
M-10-7
Fifth row left to right
M-10-7 RHKP (Royal Hong Kong Police)
M-10-5 Heavy barrel


Pic two
top row left to right
Colt Official Police five inch 1944 vintage
Colt Commando 1943 vintage
Colt Police Positive 1921 vintage
Colt Agent 1967 vintage
Second row left to right
Chiefs Special flatlatch 1957 vintage
M-36 no dash
M-36 no dash
M649 no dash
M-38 no dash
Third row left to right
M-442-2 no lock
M-640 no dash
M-40-1

Hope I did not bore anyone to death!

 

[sw282]

My ...... Special

 

[STCM(SW)]

My very first handgun was a Model 36 purchased in 1970 for a new bride. l still have the gun. The bride is long gone. Since that time, 42 years have flown by many more Smiths have too. only one more bride. Not as new as the 1970 bride, but in great shape, good finish, and a tuned action. She also came packing a Smith & Wesson 38 Special

ROTFPIMPLMAO!!!!!!!!

Now, thats funny!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hope I did not bore anyone to death!

Vulcan Bob, it's like going to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall! Nice collection! Thanks for presenting.

 

[C&R Bill]

Please feel free to bore us some more with individual gun photos......

Ok Wiregrassguy, I got off my duff and found most of em for the pics. I was mistaken about the count, only have 28, must have mentally counted a couple twice when I came up with 31! Still cant find right now another M-15 and M-10 heavy barrel, just dont want to dig through the single action safes and may or may not have put them in there as overflow locations or maybe Gwenny the gun cat got em. Anyhoo here we go.

Pic one. Top row left to right
1905 4th target 1927 vintage
M-681-3 CRPD (Con Rail Police Dept) in 38 Special
K-38 birthyear of 1954
Second row left to right
1905 4th 1940-41 vintage
M&P mid 50s five inch
K-38 Combat Masterpiece 1950 vintage
Third row left to right
M-14-4 8 3/8th inch barrel
M-14-3
M-15-3
Fourth row left to right
M-67-1
M15-3
M-10-7
Fifth row left to right
M-10-7 RHKP (Royal Hong Kong Police)
M-10-5 Heavy barrel


Pic two
top row left to right
Colt Official Police five inch 1944 vintage
Colt Commando 1943 vintage
Colt Police Positive 1921 vintage
Colt Agent 1967 vintage
Second row left to right
Chiefs Special flatlatch 1957 vintage
M-36 no dash
M-36 no dash
M649 no dash
M-38 no dash
Third row left to right
M-442-2 no lock
M-640 no dash
M-40-1

Hope I did not bore anyone to death!

 

[RKmesa]

A few more "Bones" of the "Backbone"

GREAT THREAD. A few more photos to fill in the "bones":

1905 1st Change - 1906:

Pre-war 38/44 Outdoorsman (with Roper target stocks) - 1933:

Pre-war 38/44 Heavy Duty - 1931:

One of the 1st K-38 Masterpieces (notice the large ejector rod knob) K4564 - 1947:

Pre-Model 10 M&P - 2" Barrel - 1949:

Post-war 38/44 Outdoorsman with target stocks - 1950:

 

[Baddakota11]

I hope someone can help me. I'm trying to find the age of my s&w 38spcl. #1030XX

 

[beagleye]

Thanks for the N frames Richard.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Bravo! Encore, encore. Where's the HDs?

At the time I wrote this tome in 2012, I didn't have one to photograph. Now I do, and so I added a Heavy Duty pic to the original post today.

Here's the one I acquired, shipped in 1957.

John

 

[mr-mom]

Thank you for an excellent post! Even thought my favorite all time are the S&W .44s, my EDC and go to shooters are .38s.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[digi-shots]

John,

Great post!.... and a very fine looking Heavy Duty!

 

[DWFAN]

My two go to guns. A pre heat treated cut down M&P and a 60-3. Don't leave home without one. I have complete faith and trust in both.
DW

 

[fyimo]

That was a wonderful presentation on great revolvers in 38 Special and I own several. However, today most people look past them and opt for 357 magnum revolvers because they can shoot both rounds through them. I'm not saying anything bad about the 357 magnum revolvers but they have a bigger following and hence the price difference between revolvers in these calibers with the 357 costing more and also easier to sell.

A favorite a model 10-5 with 4 inch barrel

Model 14-3

My Dad's 10-5 with 6 inch barrel that I inherited

My Model 36 flat latch

Model 64 no dash

Model 15-4

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Thanks for this thread, John. I'm a big fan of both the .38 Special and the revolvers S&W built for it. All of mine are steel, the favorites being a 3" M60-4 and a 8-3/8" M14-3.

 

[Mark6005]

Thanks for a refreshing read on the 38 cal.

 

[diecidecimi]

Post-war 38/44 Outdoorsman with target stocks - 1950:

RKmesa, I'm a fan of old target stocks, but I have at the moment my mind blurred.... I like a lot these grips you showed, but I can't identify correctly them. The shape appears quite similar to the Fitz cherrywood target grips, but the checkering pattern reminds a Herrett's style to me.... what are they? Very, very nice set.