Date and History of 38 S & W CTG Revolver

[zik]

Hi friends
One of my elders has gifted me an S & G Revlover. the modles mentioned on the barrelis 38 S&W CTG and its serial number is 891066 without any prefixes. can some body help me in tracking its date and history of use, meanse its use in any wars (if any)
thanx

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum. You will get more replies posting in the Hand Ejectors 1896-1961 section, but from your description you most likely have a K or medium frame .38/200 British service revolver from the early 1940s. These were used in WW II by the Commonwealth nations (Great Britain, Canada, Australia, etc.), and not long after yours was built they became known as the Victory Model with a V serial number prefix. Some will call this a pre-Victory because of this. These usually had a 5" barrel (cylinder face to muzzle) and may have been bright or matte blue, or dull finished similar to Parkerizing.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Dpris]

What's stamped on the barrel is the caliber, not the model.
It shoots the .38 Smith & Wesson CARTRIDGE. CTG is an abbreviation for cartridge.
Denis

 

[opoefc]

zik, Welcome to the Form. The only S&W with that high a serial number would be a gun shipped to the british early in WW2, probably in late 1941 or early 1942. The correct model number is Model 1905, 4th Change. Collectors sometimes call the gun a Pre-Victory Model, as they were WW2 military guns that preceded the Victory Models that began with serial number V1 when the serial numbers reached 1,000,000 in Jan. 1942 for the Model 1905, 4th changes. Current caliber may still be .38 S&W, as indicated on the barrel stamping, however many of these guns were imported back to the US after WW2 by gun dealers and changed to fire .38 Special cartridges, by boring out the chambers of the cylinders to allow the longer .38 Special founds to chamber. You can order a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, S&W factory historian, for the gun. It will tell you when it was shipped, to where or whom, and the original configuration of the gun's finish, stocks, etc. Cost is $50. Ed.

 

[jbeardduck]

38 CTG

Hey guys,
I too have inherited a similar revolver, but my ser.# is much lower, 145429... Any idea when it was manufactured?
Jim

 

[hsguy]

Hey guys,
I too have inherited a similar revolver, but my ser.# is much lower, 145429... Any idea when it was manufactured?
Jim

Welcome to the forum. Is there a letter prefix preceding the serial number? Any other details such as caliber and markings would make identification easier. Detailed clear photos would be best if possible.

 

[Goony]

Hey guys,
I too have inherited a similar revolver, but my ser.# is much lower, 145429... Any idea when it was manufactured?
Jim

Welcome to the forum. You'd probably get more response starting a new thread with this post, but here goes anyway....

In your case, more info (caliber, configuration, etc.) is needed and it'd really be helpful if you could post a photo or two. But as it is, there are just too many different models it could be just on the basis of that serial number to give a definitive answer.

 

[Art Doc]

Should look like this. Stocks could be changed and the lanyard loop is often removed, but hopefully no more than that. Frequently these are cut up and extensively modified rendering them virtually worthless.

The 38 S&W is not the same as the popular 38 Special. Ammo is pricey and hard to find making it not a good choice for the casual pistolero. The caliber requires loading your own ammo for economy.

 

[Texas Star]

Zik-


Where do you live? If in Europe, you may find that Fiochhi or Geco load .38 S&W ammunition. It may be more available there than in the USA.

Your gun probably had a bright blue finish, unlike the later one pictured here by Dr. Pig. Those earlier ones also had checkered (US spelling) stocks with a silver medallion. It may have been altered since leaving British service.
If you can post a photo, we can help more.

Welcome to the board.

 

[mike458L]

Hello,,Good eve, I also just acquired a s&w 38 SV809xxx Mine says 38 special any one know what year or value bluing wors but gun and grips are great 6 shot too,TY

 

[mikepriwer]

SV809XXX is a post-WW2 gun, probably shipped 1946 . This is very close to the
beginning of the SV series. The gun was made after the war, using parts produced
during the last months of the war. Its probably still 38 special.

The value is dependent on the amount of original blue finish left. If its 50%, maybe its
a $250 gun - roughly.

Mike Priwer

 

[wrsmith12]

Hello, I'm brand new and was just reading the post. I'm impressed with the genorosity of spirit and information. Though I'm not a fan of Rush Goerbels "cudos." I'm also a new handgun owner. Due a gift from a relative. It's a S&W 38 special CTG w/ 8 1/2" barrel, mirrored nickle finish,in box with screwdriver and gun cleaning kit. model 14-3 serial#6k90xxx there is a G11 above the serial number. Please all info would be appretiated, including it's birthday, it's value and history. I just tried to send the image but I don't know about the URL of my image. Again, Thank you for your help, Bill

 

[JP@AK]

Hello, I'm brand new and was just reading the post. I'm impressed with the genorosity of spirit and information. Though I'm not a fan of Rush Goerbels "cudos." I'm also a new handgun owner. Due a gift from a relative. It's a S&W 38 special CTG w/ 8 1/2" barrel, mirrored nickle finish,in box with screwdriver and gun cleaning kit. model 14-3 serial#6k90xxx there is a G11 above the serial number. Please all info would be appretiated, including it's birthday, it's value and history. I just tried to send the image but I don't know about the URL of my image. Again, Thank you for your help, Bill

Hi Bill, and welcome to the Forum
We just seem to keep adding different guns to this thread and it will get confusing pretty soon.
But I'll try to help you.
Your Model 14-3 is a K-38 Masterpiece revolver. It probably shipped from the factory in 1975. The barrel is actually 8 3/8" long.
Having the original box and tools is a very good thing. It adds to both the interest and value of your fine revolver.
As to the other numbers in the yoke area, they mean nothing. Only the Model number and serial number count.

Now here is where things get sticky. You say it has a "mirrored nickle finish." Factory nickel on a Model 14 of any age is rare almost to the point of non-existence. I really think we need to see photos of this revolver. If you are still having trouble, look at the sticky thread here on the Forum about posting pictures. Or go get a teenager to help you!

Regards,
JP

 

[JP@AK]

SV809XXX is a post-WW2 gun, probably shipped 1946.

Mike
I'm a little confused. I thought the SV was late wartime production, indicating the introduction of the sliding hammer block safety into the Victory line (resulting from a complaint from the Navy). I thought it began at about V769000, and the SV prefix lasted until about V811xxx at war's end.
I thought that after the war, when civilian production began again, the V was dropped and only the S prefix was retained. If all that is true, wouldn't the subject revolver have been produced late in the year 1945?
Thanks,
Jack

 

[wrsmith12]

wrsmith12 14-3

I was told to attach a picture to my post. I think I may have it now. Wish me luck

 

[kcwheel]

wrsmith12, I would carefully remove the grips and look at the grip frame for a stamped capital N. If it is there, it is probably the original finish. If not, the odds go down considerably, and contacting Roy Jinks may be the only way to tell for sure. An original 14-3 in nickel finish would be a prize.

Good luck

 

[wrsmith12]

I,ve done the grip removal and I found an R-N inside a box it's also stamped with a G11, 6x768, G2, G7, and 377 all on the left side. On the right side a D inside a box and P inside a box. The metal is a casted stainless and I looked for any signs of an old finish with negative results. It's all very clean THANKS AGAIN Bill

 

[JP@AK]

View attachment 97274 I was told to attach a picture to my post. I think I may have it now. Wish me luck

Thanks for the photo. That M14-3 is quite striking looking. But, as before, I'm having doubts whether that finish is original. The advice you were given about looking for the N is good. It might also be on the rear face of the cylinder. I know they were still putting them there on the 19-3 as late as 1976.

A letter will tell you for sure whether this gun shipped with a nickel finish. If it did, it is a very rare bird indeed.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

You posted your reply while I was typing my comments (see previous post). So here is my response to your latest post:

I've done the grip removal and I found an R-N inside a box. It's also stamped with a G11, 6x768, G2, G7, and 377 all on the left side.

I could be wrong, but I think the R-N in a box indicates a factory refinish in nickel. Perhaps someone else will affirm that.
I'm not sure, but I think at some point the factory stopped stamping the date of factory repairs and refinish work on the left side of the grip frame. It doesn't look like there is one on yours unless it is the 377 number, which could mean March of 1977.

The metal is a casted stainless

What metal is stainless steel? There shouldn't be any stainless parts on this gun, I don't think. The Model 14 was always made of carbon steel.

Regards,
Jack

 

[wrsmith12]

The stainless I was talking about was under the grip. Please see photo. On the back cylinder is the serial# in two parts ie. 6k90 xxx, and a star. It just occured to me that if it was plated they would have dipped the whole piece. OOOh dopey moi. Again thankyou Bill