Identifying my 38 special

[capital]

Inherited a 5 shot .38 special with no spur. I am hoping to find the rough time period it was made and any other helpful info.

Number of the yoke starts with 296 and underneath is a letter K. Number on the butt starts with 399.

Thanks!

 

[Pine_Worker]

Pictures would help.

 

[capital]

Hopefully this works

 

[rincar]

Chiefs Special. Someone will be along with a date

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Yes, the photo makes all the difference.

It's a six-digit serial number 399xxx.

The s/n and the 7th style flat thumbpiece place it as having shipped from the factory around late 1965.

The 296xx number and K on what S&W calls the "yoke," as you obviously know, are an assembly number and fitter's, assembler's or inspector's stamp.

Hope this helps.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Here is a post with information needed for an ID:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

That said it is a J or small frame .38 Special. If it has a steel frame it is a Chiefs Special, and an alloy frame a Chiefs Special Airweight. The hammer has been "bobbed" (spur removed).

We need the number of digits in the SN, and any letter(s) in it. Serial number 399 would be from 1950, and 399000 1964. If the stocks and other visible parts are original it could be from anywhere between the mid-1950s and the mid-'60s.

 

[capital]

Yes has 6 digit serial number with no letters

 

[capital]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Yes, the photo makes all the difference.

It's a six-digit serial number 399xxx.

The s/n and the 7th style flat thumbpiece place it as having shipped from the factory around late 1965.

The 296xx number and K on what S&W calls the "yoke," as you obviously know, are an assembly number and fitter's, assembler's or inspector's stamp.

Hope this helps.

Thank you!