Went to pick up a GB purchase at my FFL and my S&W addiction flared up! Buy the time I came to my senses I had 4 guns and 200 rounds of ammo on the counter. I thought this would make a nice companion for a BSR. I also saw a pistol that I looked at the last time I was there, and regretted not buying it and assumed it was long gone,,, I didn’t make that mistake twice. I haven’t seen many 33s posted here, please post’em if you got’ ‘em!
Model 33-1 38 S&W
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That appears to be a dandy. Congratulations.
With those stocks, I'd bet it might have an R prefix serial number, ya?
With those stocks, I'd bet it might have an R prefix serial number, ya?
I don't have a 33, or a 33-1 but will a pre-33 from 1954 or so do? SN 75665.
And remembered I have an ancestor of the 33s, a Third Model Regulation Police that shipped in April of 1924, SN 26905. Pictures of it aren't very good, need to take some more one of these days.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2or4MdN https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2or2uds https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2oqYKad https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2or4TDy https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
And remembered I have an ancestor of the 33s, a Third Model Regulation Police that shipped in April of 1924, SN 26905. Pictures of it aren't very good, need to take some more one of these days.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2or4MdN https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2or2uds https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2oqYKad https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
https://flic.kr/p/2or4TDy https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
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It surprises me the 38 S&W caliber models hung on as long as they did, considering nearly identical models in the more “ modern” 38 special were available for decades before the S&W’s were discontinued. Or was it a case of S&W using up old parts?
Very nice sample. Had one a long time ago and didn’t appreciate it so down the road it went,
OP
Ya, R60XXX thanks
OP
It surprises me too,, that’s why I brought it home!
Ah, ha.
That fits in with several other Model 33-1 4" blue models in the database that shipped in February 1972.
Inland7-45
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.38 S&W
I think export orders to countries where .38 S&W was still an acceptable police round may have helped keep the J frames in this caliber going. South Africa bought a number of Post War commercial M&Ps in this caliber for police use. The last order was placed in the mid 60’s. So this was still a viable police round in some markets up to the time these guns were discontinued. I am sure there were other orders for revolvers in this caliber in other countries that included Terriers or Regulation Police.
I think export orders to countries where .38 S&W was still an acceptable police round may have helped keep the J frames in this caliber going. South Africa bought a number of Post War commercial M&Ps in this caliber for police use. The last order was placed in the mid 60’s. So this was still a viable police round in some markets up to the time these guns were discontinued. I am sure there were other orders for revolvers in this caliber in other countries that included Terriers or Regulation Police.
Inland7-45
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Collecting and Shooting.38 S&W revolvers
Very nice revolver. I have Colt Police Positive in about the same condition made in 1915 and a pre Lendlease S&W BSR.
I would encourage anyone who has either a nice old Colt or S&W in this caliber to take to the range and enjoy firing it. I started reloading this caliber a few years ago. I have now loaded enough .38 S&W ammunition to offset the cost of the brass and dies. Fun caliber to shoot. While the .38 Spl is more versatile you can still do a lot with it if you like to keep classic old S&Ws and Colts going.
Have fun with yours.
Very nice revolver. I have Colt Police Positive in about the same condition made in 1915 and a pre Lendlease S&W BSR.
I would encourage anyone who has either a nice old Colt or S&W in this caliber to take to the range and enjoy firing it. I started reloading this caliber a few years ago. I have now loaded enough .38 S&W ammunition to offset the cost of the brass and dies. Fun caliber to shoot. While the .38 Spl is more versatile you can still do a lot with it if you like to keep classic old S&Ws and Colts going.
Have fun with yours.
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I have a few revolvers in 38 s&w. It is a pleasant round to shoot, and if you reload, it is as economical as the next round. And since most of the shooting we all do is at targets, there is no real disadvantage to the 38 s&w round...i started with an Enfield Mark 2 *, and now have a safety hammerless, couple Terriers and a model 33. Since I have over a dozen boxes of ammo, no worries there.
Nice revolver. Enjoy it.
Robert
Nice revolver. Enjoy it.
Robert
Inland7-45
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I would agree that there is nothing wrong with the .38 S&W. The .38 Special is more versatile and the introduction of the J frame put S&W on equal footing with Colt the Det. Special. While the .38 Special makes the .38 S&W redundant this is still a viable cartridge due the number of high quality guns that Colt and S&W produced. Then there are the the high quality English breaktops, lower priced but sound and serviceable guns like the H&R Defender. There are also the fairly recent 38/200 marked Ruger Security Sixes made for export to India.
For the reloader brass, dies and bullets are available. I just picked 500 .361 dia cast bullets from Missouri Bullet Co for my next run.
For the reloader brass, dies and bullets are available. I just picked 500 .361 dia cast bullets from Missouri Bullet Co for my next run.
The bottom one is a 33-1.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/usm1rifle-albums-misc-smiths-picture23666-33-n-chief-nickel.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/usm1rifle-albums-misc-smiths-picture23666-33-n-chief-nickel.html
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Model19man
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I find the Colt Detective Special to be slightly larger and more robust than the S&W J frame. We are talking about 6 shots vs. 5 in the smaller S&W.
murf205
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Inland7-45
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I frame vs Colt Det Special /Cobra
I like both the J fame and the Colt Detective Special and have owned both.
My two favorite small frame 38’s are a Colt Cobra made in 1967 and an S&W Model 36 RB 2” barrel made in 1971.
On the plus side for the Colt:
Better sight picture than S&W J frame
A little more to hold onto than a J frame , but not as bulky as a 2” M&P. Still hides out well.
Six shots vs five
Style is right out of a Filme Noire
“
On the plus side for S&W J frame:
Better DA pull
Conceals slightly better than Cobra
Style, slick and neat looking.
They are both great guns. I’ll always have room for one more of either.
I like both the J fame and the Colt Detective Special and have owned both.
My two favorite small frame 38’s are a Colt Cobra made in 1967 and an S&W Model 36 RB 2” barrel made in 1971.
On the plus side for the Colt:
Better sight picture than S&W J frame
A little more to hold onto than a J frame , but not as bulky as a 2” M&P. Still hides out well.
Six shots vs five
Style is right out of a Filme Noire
“
On the plus side for S&W J frame:
Better DA pull
Conceals slightly better than Cobra
Style, slick and neat looking.
They are both great guns. I’ll always have room for one more of either.
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