Need help IDing S&W 38 Special.

[Bmaintz]

S&W 38 Spec.
Serial number ... C 375835
Screw in front of trigger guard.
Tapered barrel.
69291 on cyl. pivot (inside).
Pinned barrel.

Need est. year made_____ & model ______

May want to sell later, anyone know the value? $______
Thanks,
Bob

 

[glowe]

Not a model, but rather simply a 38 Military & Police named revolver. It would be a year before the Model 10 was introduced in 1957. Another 38 M&P in the C375XXX range shipped in late-1956. It is a standard revolver in nice condition, so might rate Excellent. Should sell for $600. It is a 4 screw example that started in 1955 with the elimination of the upper sideplate screw.

 

[JP@AK]

"38, 39, whatever it takes." Followed by "2X4, 2x5, whatever it takes."

 

[Bmaintz]

"38, 39, whatever it takes." Followed by "2X4, 2x5, whatever it takes."

I am new to S&W...
Are you saying a 1938 or 39?_____

What is the "2X4 & 2X5" ?_____
Thanks,
Bob

 

[glowe]

I am new to S&W...
Are you saying a 1938 or 39?_____

What is the "2X4 & 2X5" ?_____
Thanks,
Bob

Read Post #2, the M&P shipped in 1956. I had entered "39" M&P, but corrected it to "38".

 

[JP@AK]

I am new to S&W...
Are you saying a 1938 or 39?_____

What is the "2X4 & 2X5" ?_____
Thanks,
Bob

I was joking around with Gary. The quotes are from an old movie where, I think Tom Hanks (or some actor like him), is trying to fake his way along, pretending to be knowledgeable and isn't. So the studs in his house walls are either "2X4, 2X5, whatever it takes."

Anyway, it had nothing to do with S&W.

 

[SS336]

That's a very nice old M&P 4screw. Looks to be in great shape.
Prices are pretty high now so it should bring $600 in that condition but I would have a tough time selling that one. They are great shooters and enjoyable to look at.

 

[ACORN]

I was joking around with Gary. The quotes are from an old movie where, I think Tom Hanks (or some actor like him), is trying to fake his way along, pretending to be knowledgeable and isn't. So the studs in his house walls are either "2X4, 2X5, whatever it takes."

Anyway, it had nothing to do with S&W.

Michael Keaton. Mr. Mom.

 

[Sevens]

Haha yes Mr. Mom. And the other guy had asked about the wiring being "all 220?" to which Keaton replies "yeah 220, 221, whatever it takes…"

Nice!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

This is no joke...hold my beer. That gun hid in somebody's sock drawer for a loooonnnnngggg time. Purty!

 

[Bmaintz]

This is no joke...hold my beer. That gun hid in somebody's sock drawer for a loooonnnnngggg time. Purty!

*****************
The sock drawer of Bette Davis, this is what I was told...

 

[ironhead7544]

Somewhere between 1956 and 1961. The front trigger guard screw was eliminated around 1961, IIRC.

 

[JP@AK]

Serial number ... C 375835

Somewhere between 1956 and 1961.

As Gary noted above (Post #2), it probably left Springfield in the 1956-57 period. He noted that an M&P in serial number range C375XXX shipped in late 1956. I also show one at C379765 that shipped on January 28, 1957; one at C353137 that shipped in April, 1956; and one at C381057 that shipped in February, 1957. S&W did not ship them in serial order, so this is always a bit of a guessing game.

Note also that M&Ps marked as Model 10 did not start shipping until sometime in 1958. After that, we see a mix of model marked and non-model marked guns leaving Springfield over the next few years. I've seen some without model marks that shipped as late as 1960, and lots of them from 1958 and 1959.

 

[Bmaintz]

Serial number ... C 375835


As Gary noted above (Post #2), it probably left Springfield in the 1956-57 period. He noted that an M&P in serial number range C375XXX shipped in late 1956. I also show one at C379765 that shipped on January 28, 1957; one at C353137 that shipped in April, 1956; and one at C381057 that shipped in February, 1957. S&W did not ship them in serial order, so this is always a bit of a guessing game.

Note also that M&Ps marked as Model 10 did not start shipping until sometime in 1958. After that, we see a mix of model marked and non-model marked guns leaving Springfield over the next few years. I've seen some without model marks that shipped as late as 1960, and lots of them from 1958 and 1959.

Thanks for the info...
Bob

 

[Waveski]

What you have there is the quintessential , basic and classic .38 special. Arguably the most successful revolver of all time , and a nice soecimen at that.
I don't know what your gun ownership is comprised of or what your values and goals are , but from what I can see I would be in no hurry to let that one go.
It is a dandy.

 

[Bmaintz]

What you have there is the quintessential , basic and classic .38 special. Arguably the most successful revolver of all time , and a nice soecimen at that.
I don't know what your gun ownership is comprised of or what your values and goals are , but from what I can see I would be in no hurry to let that one go.
It is a dandy.

I bought the S&W for $100 & included a box of 38 specials & leather holster...
I did do some help on the guy's Ebay account to get him going...

Moving to Texas in June so will hang onto it as you can open carry now....
Will most likely sell it after I buy a Ruger SP101 357 for home defence...

 

[Wrangler Rich]

Just my $.02, but try shooting the Smith before you purchase the Ruger. The purchase may not be necessary.

WR

 

[Bmaintz]

Just my $.02, but try shooting the Smith before you purchase the Ruger. The purchase may not be necessary.

WR

**************
Shot it on our range, a little to the left, no brace or sand bag...

 

[Bmaintz]

Had a buyer but he said it has been reblued thus low balling me on the price ($600)...
How can you tell?____
Bob

 

[Mbrgr1]

Had a buyer but he said it has been reblued thus low balling me on the price ($600)...
How can you tell?____
Bob

He is wrong, I would not be in a hurry to sell that gun!


There are plenty of threads on how to spot a reblue, yours has none of the signs.......