help to identify

[CALIF GIRL]

I have a S&W 38 Special CTG, blue steel, square butt, 6 shot, 5 in barrel, 5 screw. Serial # S 9830xx.

The original grips have been changed, I do not see a hole in the butt for a lanyard.

I have been trying to find info on what type I gun I have and have come up with mixed results.

I do not know much about about guns and thought I would try here for help. Thanks in advance

 

[Road Rat]

Welcome Calif Girl......

I'm guessing you have looked the revolver over for any and all markings/numbers/etc.???

Photos are a must when attempting to identify a handgun...S&W has made dozens of different revolvers over the last 150 years.

If you need help with pictures email them to me and I'll upload them for you.

I spent most of my adult life in Calif..........moved to Iowa 6 years ago.

Some of our local experts will be along shortly with information based on the serial number.

 

[Goony]

First off, welcome to the forum.

Your revolver sounds like a Military & Police model that most likely shipped in early 1948.

Posting a photo or two would really help the knowledgable folks here accurately assess your gun's condition and originality.

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum. As others have already stated, your revolver is a postwar .38 Military and Police model.

I own S 937988 that shipped 9/9/1947 and S 955509 that shipped 11/1947. As Goony stated, best guess is that your gun shipped in early 1948. I also own C 2077 that is early in the next serial sequence that started with the "C" prefix. That gun shipped in 11/1948 which again points toward yours being from early 1948.

Hope that helps.

 

[Buford57]

Pictures would help (and besides, we like looking at pictures of guns).

The previous answers are probably right, but if you look at the gun from the right side, can you see the ejector rod, or is it covered by a metal shroud under the barrel?

 

[DWalt]

My SN list indicates probably early 1948, so I concur with other opinions on date.

 

[CALIF GIRL]

Thank you. I do not have access to the revolver right now but should be able to post photos tomorrow.

 

[Dpris]

Rubber stamp:
CTG is "cartridge", part of the caliber stamping on the barrel, not a model designation of any kind.
Denis

 

[Art Doc]

Yup. Your basic Military & Police Model 38 Special. Becomes the Model 10 in 1957. It's a K frame gun and the 5" barrel length is a popular feature (4" and 6" most common).