Identification help

[Syllimon]

I am trying to identify a Smith & Wesson 38 special. My father always called it a "chief's special".
It is a 6 shot pistol.
Serial # C144_ _ _
6" barrel, blued finish, round grip & wood handle.
It has fixed sights, is a hand ejector & I can see 4 screws. the 5th may be hidden by the grip.

Any help would be appreciated. I would like to locate speed loaders for this model.

 

[scha]

This is a Military & Police Revolver from the late 1940s or early 1950s. With 6 shots and a "C" serial number this is not the smaller "chief's special" which is a 5 shot revolver that had a 2 inch barrel.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[vytoland]

S&W model 36 was known as a "chief special", but was made with a "J" frame and was available with 2" or 3" barrels.

your revolver may be a S&W model pre 10 "K" frame manufactured in 1950.

 

[DWalt]

Yours is a C-series Military and Police model, ca. 1950. It's also called a pre-Model 10 M&P, as it is the same as the later Model 10. S&W's model numbering system started in 1957 at (approximately) SN C410,000. It will have the newer short action high speed hammer, which was incorporated in early 1948.

Any speed loader made for K-frame S&W revolvers will work. You may have a little interference from the left grip panel, and you may wish to consider getting a Hogue rubber grip for that reason.

 

[JP@AK]

you may wish to consider getting a Hogue rubber grip for that reason.

Wow! You are recommending Goodyears? What is this world coming to???

 

[DWalt]

Wow! You are recommending Goodyears? What is this world coming to???

Absolutely. They are very practical, comfortable and cheap. And they will not interfere with the use of a speed loader. I keep my original factory grips filed away for safekeeping and use Hogues or Pachs for shooting. But I did recently get two pair of Thai wood grips, and am very pleased with them also, except they are a little more expensive than Goodyears.

 

[JP@AK]

DWalt
There was no criticism in my post. I was just having a little bit of fun with you!
I've shot several of my Smiths with Pachmayr grips on them. They don't look as good, but they handle just fine.
Cheers.
Jack