Grandfather Left Me a Gorgeous .38 Special with an Inlay Gold Bear

[Shadoe]

Hi my name is Shadoe, I'm a female in Southern California, I have only once before even HELD a gun in my hands and recently I was given a gorgeous Smith & Wesson handgun left to me by my grandfather. I know zero about guns and hope you can help me learn more about this beautiful piece.

Forgive my ignorance if I use the wrong terminology but here goes:

There is so much intricate etching on the gun and a beautiful detailed gold bear inlaid on one side. It's a revolver and looks to hold 5 bullets, has a short nose, a brown handle and a serial number on the bottom of the hand portion. There isn't an inch on the gun that doesn't have some intricate etching, hatchmarks, S&W trademarks in gold, all kinds of beautiful markings. It appears to be in very nice condition.

I will take pictures in the next day or two and post them. What else can I look at on the gun and tell you all that would help me learn more about it, when it was made, what it may be worth, and whatever else I can find out? I would appreciate any information at all. My grandfather was a unique man and very special to me, this gun seems to have been special to him as well. (He also left me a gorgeous antique Parker shotgun, but thats another forum!)

Thank you all for your help. I look forward to any interesting information or stories you can share with me!

Shadoe in the Los Angeles area

 

[Camster]

Welcome Shadoe,
We look forward to seeing the photos,and if you wouldn't mind sharing the serial number from the bottom of the grip(or most of it,x out the last few numbers if you prefer),we can help date it,and determine the correct model number,and estimate the value.

 

[Shadoe]

Thank you Camster, the gun is at home, I will take the pictures and write down the serial number and post it tomorrow. How exciting! I can't wait to learn more, thanks in advance for your help.

 

[boykinlp]

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

 

[Iggy]

Welcome to the forum. We can't wait to see the treasure that has been passed into your hands.
There are many experts here who will be plumb tickled to help you learn about your prize. They can probably
help you with your shotgun too.

 

[357larry]

Shadoe....Welcome to the forum. Your Grandfather sounds like he was a special gentleman who thought very highly of you to leave you such a treasure. We look forward to the pictures and information.

 

[Hunt200]

Wow can't wait to see it!

 

[ChinaSeaSailor]

welcome aboard - we are waiting for those pictures to see your new weapon - browse around on forum and if you have question just ask -remember every one was new at this once!!!

 

[murphydog]

Hi, and welcome. From your description, you have a highly engraved short barreled (or "snubnose") revolver. In addition to the photos and the partial serial number from the bottom of the grip frame (like 123xxx), a description of all stamped words, letters and numbers on the metal surfaces may help identify it.

Some letters and numbers may only be visible with the cylinder moved out to the left, which you may have already figured out can be done by pushing the thumb latch on the left side forward and easing the cylinder out. Be sure the cylinder is unloaded and close it gently.

Looking forward to the photos also. Someone here may even recognize either the engraving style, or be able to ID the engraver.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Shadoe,

Be sure to include Ser# off the bottom of the grip frame, barrel length and color, such as blue vs. nickel finish. All that would help the members assist you with the info you need.

Tom

 

[alaskavett]

Welcome

Shadoe, as you have little experience with firearms I wish to caution you to please be sure they are unloaded! Some basic rules apply here. No, Im not trying to insult your intelligence. 1) Treat every firearms it were LOADED always! 2) Never "point" a gun at something you don't intend to shoot. Be careful who you allow to "check" your gun out as there are less then honest folks(not here I hope) that will switch your gun with a less valuable one. Do you know anyone that has experience with firearms in your area? As your new"toys" sound very interesting, I would recommend you photo/video them very well and if needed speak with your insurance agent as to trusted appraisal agents(one they will accept in the unfortunate case of a loss). As always I caution you to know and obey the laws regarding ownership where you attempt to live. Again, Welcome Kyle

 

[Tom K]

....

I will take pictures in the next day or two and post them. What else can I look at on the gun and tell you all that would help me learn more about it, when it was made, what it may be worth, and whatever else I can find out? I would appreciate any information at all. My grandfather was a unique man and very special to me, this gun seems to have been special to him as well. (He also left me a gorgeous antique Parker shotgun, but thats another forum!)

Welcome to the forum Shadoe. You seem like a sensible woman and I'm sure that you already realize this, but since your grandfather was a special man and this gun was special to him, that makes it priceless. We sometimes get people signing into the forum to get an appraisal on a firearm that was left to them, with the intention of turning it into a quick buck. I have no doubt that you do not intend that.

However people are often curious about the monetary value of an inherited firearm, just as they would like to know if Grandpa's old fiddle were a Stradivarius. It's also good to know for insurance purposes. It's difficult to place a value on a customized firearm (as your grandfather's seems to be) and once you post pictures, you'll probably get a wide range of numbers here. But we'll do the best we can.

Loooking forward to the pictures!

 

[H Richard]

Just a caution. I understand California has strict laws regarding firearms. I do not know what they are, but it would be in your best interest to "indirectly" verify whatever you need to know or do to possess firearms. Very possibly a family member can assist you in obtaining any licensing or permits needed.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures of (I'm guessing) a model 36 or model 60. (5 shot snub nose revolvers).

 

[Shadoe]

Here you go I'm SO excited I can't wait to hear what you guys say! My mother (my grandfather's daughter) is also on here because she wants to share in the discovery. Her name is Donna Mae.

The serial number on the bottom is R187889 and inside the barrel drop down part are these numbers: MOD.60 on the body side, X146 followed by a little faded 8 on the drop down part, and below that a C19.

Each of the little circles is some form of the Smith & Wesson trademark, one on each side of the handle, one on one side of the body of the gun, with the gold grizzly on the other side in the egraved marshes with the mountains in the background. The pictures don't do it justice really.

Let me know if you'd like more pics of anything in particular or if there is anything else I can look up on the gun. I can't wait to hear your replies! Thank you so so much, you are making my mother and me very very happy right now. We miss my grandfather so much and this brings him closer to us. Thanks!

Shadoe and Donna Mae Gray

 

[Shadoe]

Thank you for all the warnings and additional information. My mother and I are VERY careful, I'm keeping it in a locked box, I don't even OWN any ammo and it is clear of any ammo as well. I have NO intention of selling the gun no matter it's value, I want nothing more than to hear tales about it. If I don't even hear a value it won't matter. Thanks very much. Now as soon as I can figure how to attach the pictures I will!!

Shadoe

 

[nicky4968]

We're glad you appreciate what your grandfather left you, even though you don't have any experience with firearms.
I received my grandfather's Parker Brothers shotgun upon his death in 1963. It is my most prized possession.
Beware the "friend" who offers you a few hundred dollars to "take that old gun off your hands". Sorry to tell you, but everyone on this forum has had to deal with "friends" like that. My sister had to deal with that when my brother in law died shortly after his 40th birthday.
Really look forward to the pictures.
What gauge is the shotgun? If it's a 12, 20, or 16 gauge it's worth a small fortune (at least on my standard of living). If it's a 28 gauge, it's worth a large fortune.

 

[handejector]

Welcome aboard.
I'll move this thread to the correct section, and you'll get plenty of data on the gun.

 

[Shadoe]

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Well, it was made around 1977. Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to photos of the engraving.

P.S. That was fast! Very nice.

 

[Iggy]

Beautiful gun and wonderful pictures.

I am sure there will be someone along with some pretty interesting information.

I too am waiting to see what we all can learn about your treasure.