Help Identifying Grandpa’s Gun

[PapaAcorn]

Following the guide I found elsewhere on this forum led me here and I’m hoping someone can help ….

Here’s what I have:
No model number on yoke
Hand ejector
Fixed sight (just a notch)
CTG or Caliber: barrel reads 38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG
Barrel length: 4”
Serial Number is tough to read, I’ll include a pic but it looks like maybe 279 then 3 more numbers I can’t make out. Possibly 279458

 

[JP@AK]

Hi PapaAcorn and welcome to the S&W Forum.

You are reading the number backwards. It appears to be [something]27643. Depending on what that first digit is, we can be more precise, but what we do know is that this revolver dates from sometime after mid-year 1922. That's when Made in U.S.A. was added to the frame. Also, the extractor rod knob indicates it is from before about 1927.

As for the model, it is a .38 Military & Police, square butt. The stocks are period correct and probably original.

 

[PapaAcorn]

Hi PapaAcorn and welcome to the S&W Forum.

You are reading the number backwards. It appears to be [something]27643. Depending on what that first digit is, we can be more precise, but what we do know is that this revolver dates from sometime after mid-year 1922. That's when Made in U.S.A. was added to the frame. Also, the extractor rod knob indicates it is from before about 1927.

As for the model, it is a .38 Military & Police, square butt. The stocks are period correct and probably original.

Well, that’s embarrassing. I was sure I was seeing actual numbers. Ha! Thanks for the reply.

I’m not looking to sell as it’s a family heirloom I’d like to pass down, but out of curiosity, any idea what it might be worth? It still shoots well. I had a local smith give it a once over to be sure it was safe to fire before I took it to a range and put 10-15 rounds through it. I was cautioned against modern high pressure rounds by the smith and followed that advice.

Anything I need to do to protect whatever value it has? I cleaned the barrel and cylinders and oiled it after firing. Aside from that I haven’t touched it except to take pics.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Dollar value-$300-$400.

Family heirloom-PRICELESS!!!

 

[DARE]

PapaAcorn,
You can probably find the serial number under the barrel with the cylinder open and at the back of the cylinder. Have included a couple of pictures to demonstrate.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You inherited a nice early S&W Military & Police .38 Spl. revolver (in 1957 S&W added model numbers and it became the Model 10). There were literally millions of M&Ps manufactured over many decades, so they are not particularly rare or valuable. However, as others have said, as a family heirloom it's priceless. If you know how to properly take off the right side plate, you could inspect the innards to see if they are all gunked up with 100 years of dried oil, grease, and residues. That can be easily cleaned with some automotive brake cleaner or CLP. The nickel finish looks like it could be lightly polished with some Mother's Mag and Aluminum Wheel Polish or Flitz Polish and it would really clean up nicely. Then apply some wax (Renaissance Wax or Johnson's Paste Wax) and your revolver will really shine. Enjoy!

 

[PapaAcorn]

PapaAcorn,
You can probably find the serial number under the barrel with the cylinder open and at the back of the cylinder. Have included a couple of pictures to demonstrate.

One of those two paid off. The serial number is 527643. Thanks!

 

[steelslaver]

The valuation is what it is because this is S&W basic model and best seller. Except for minor changes to the mechanical parts, they have been producing and selling same model for over 100 years. It has filled holsters of untold thousands of law men, men at war, pilots from propellers to jets and helicopters have warn them. They have protected and no doubt saved a good many "ordinary" citizens. A
It is all you need and nothing don't in a handgun

No doubt your grandpa picked that classic revolver to be better able to protect his family. Your grandma, your dad or mom, your aunts and uncles, YOUR FAMILY.

To me it is a $300-350 dollar gun. I have several and wonder about their history.

To you it should be priceless, not just as the symbol of your grandfathers desire to protect and raise his family, but for its ability to do that for you if need be. The armed citizen is his own best defense against what can be a violent world

 

[glowe]

Welcome! With that serial number, it most likely shipped in 1927. Agree on values stated above.

 

[PapaAcorn]

A huge thanks!

You’ve all been so helpful. Thanks so much!

I inherited only the pistol so I’ll probably pick up a nice leather holster or case for it.

I’ll probably clean it up also, but I’ll definitely stop short of anything that you might consider a restoration. Probably won’t fire it much if at all. But I’m looking forward to keeping it in the family.

 

[Doug M.]

If you want to shoot it, good old target wadcutters are almost certain to be a good choice. Not high pressure at all, reasonably effective for self-defense. A standard velocity 158 grain SWC would be a step up without stressing it. A bit more effective terminal ballistics, especially if you learn the better anatomical aiming points, but also not likely to stress it. The 130 grain and 158 grain ball and FMJ loads are also easy on it, but not nearly as good for social use. They should be restricted to plinking and making empties for reloading.