Need help identifying old S&W .38 Special

[DocHoliday1962]

Hello. I need some help identifying this S&W. It is possessed by a friend and I don’t have access to review serial numbers. This gun has a very special history. It was obtained in 1931. I see no visibly serial numbers and suspect they’d be under the grip. Can anyone help me date this or at least help identify the date range?
Thank you much in advance.

 

[Xfuzz]

First off that is a Colt...Police Positive....

 

[robertrwalsh]

Colt. Missing a few screws. Serial number should be stamped on the frame under where the cylinder crane swings out.

 

[DWalt]

Definitely a Colt. Appears to be a Police Positive Special. A serial number will allow its approximate dating, within a year. There is a website that provides dates of various Colt models by serial number. https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums. That is not a S&W, but a Colt Police Positive chambered in 38 Special.

 

[Jim Watson]

And tell him not to leave it in the leather holster, you can see where it has tarnished the nickel plated cylinder a bit.

 

[DocHoliday1962]

Thanks for the help! Sorry to be in the wrong place. any thoughts on the ammo? The lead is deeply set and the brass looks long to me for a special but then again, I’m the idiot in the wrong forum. Thanks again!

 

[Major 2]

Thanks for the help! Sorry to be in the wrong place. any thoughts on the ammo? The lead is deeply set and the brass looks long to me for a special but then again, I’m the idiot in the wrong forum. Thanks again!

Unknown origin wadcutters they might be reloaded or commercial ammo.
I reload both hollow base and solid base for myself.

 

[Jim Watson]

Ammo is wadcutters, all the cases have the same double cannelure Winchester used for midrange wadcutters so may well be factory. Or reloads in selected brass.

 

[Retired W4]

Doc,
You might find those missing screws at GunPartsCorp under Colt Police Positive.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/colt/revolvers-colt/police-positive

If I have the wrong model someone here might straighten me out. I would have them installed before I shot that gun. Best of luck.

 

[DWalt]

I will clarify something. There is a slight but important difference between the Colt Police Positive and the Colt Police Positive Special. The PP Special has a longer frame window and cylinder to handle the longer .38 Special and .32-20 cartridges. But screws and internal parts should be the same for both. I don’t remember ever seeing a Colt DA revolver with those two crane retention screws missing. There may be other problems with the internal mechanism. I would recommend at least removing the sideplate to check the mechanism to be sure everything is there before buying any screws. https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/colt/revolvers-colt/police-positive and

 

[handejector]

The horse behind the thumb latch is always a good clue.......