I am looking at 2 Smiths. One is a stainless 2" snub with a SN of 96009 with a "T" stamped above and a "B" stamped below. It is a .38, but I cannot verify if it's a .38 S&W or a .38 Special. The other is a blue 4" with SN of 64162 with a "2" stamped above and a "O" stamped below. I know this one is .38 S&W CTG. Both have fixed groove rear sights and fixed front sights. Any history and insight you could provide would be very appreciated.
Please help ID & Value
- Thread starter JDW250
- Start date
The stainless 2" .38 may be one of several models - 60, 64, 640, 642, 649. The other sounds to be either a Military & Police K frame or something smaller. Photos, or the numbers off the bottom of the grip frames and a description of all other stampings would be helpful here.
Can I just confirm that those serial numbers were taken off the butt of the gun and not from the frame surface you can see when you open the cylinder? The inner-surface numbers are just process control numbers that mean nothing once the gun is assembled and shipped. The serial numbers in the Pre-model-marked era were always on the butt. You can often confirm them by seeing what numbers are stamped on the flat underside of the barrel and the rear surface of the cylinder.
Are these five-shot or six-shot guns? I have a suspicion about what they might be, but would like to hear a little more info before committing my thoughts to print.
Are these five-shot or six-shot guns? I have a suspicion about what they might be, but would like to hear a little more info before committing my thoughts to print.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Can you tell stainless from nickel? Some can't. No stainless .38 S&W guns have been made, to my knowledge.
The caliber should be marked on the right side of the barrel.
Is the hammer on the shiny gun normal, or is it shrouded or concealed?
Photo, if at all possible!
The caliber should be marked on the right side of the barrel.
Is the hammer on the shiny gun normal, or is it shrouded or concealed?
Photo, if at all possible!
Thanks for all the responses, guys. I had to pass on them as the prices went too high for me to handle without inspecting them for myself.
The numbers were off the frame, not the butt. I did not know pre-models only had SNs on the butt. Had I been able to inspect them, I would have most likely noticed this and wondered which was correct. Learned something new today.
The auctioneer on the phone did confirm the snub was nickel, not stainless as he originally told me. It was tough to tell from the rough picture I had.
The good news is neither of these guns were on my "must have" list. Maybe they should have been, but I'm still learning at this game. I simply thought this was an opportunity to acquire some fine S&Ws. Thanks again for all the feedback.
The numbers were off the frame, not the butt. I did not know pre-models only had SNs on the butt. Had I been able to inspect them, I would have most likely noticed this and wondered which was correct. Learned something new today.
The auctioneer on the phone did confirm the snub was nickel, not stainless as he originally told me. It was tough to tell from the rough picture I had.
The good news is neither of these guns were on my "must have" list. Maybe they should have been, but I'm still learning at this game. I simply thought this was an opportunity to acquire some fine S&Ws. Thanks again for all the feedback.
ar15ed
Member
just keep lookin! you will run across some nice ones. welcome to the forum!!!
What auction were you participating in, and what were the lot
numbers ?
Mike Priwer
numbers ?
Mike Priwer
It was a local estate auction. I wasn't able to attend in person, but the auction house called me while the bidding was open. All I had to go on was one picture each and the word of an auction house employee who didn't know much about what he was looking for. I wasn't willing to go too high for something I hadn't put my hands on and had very little to go on. Thanks again for the help. My eyes are still open for the next opportunity to come along.
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I think you did right is passing these up. I suggest checking our for sale forum here. We have a real good history of buyers and sellers and are not afraid to answer questions.
Since you evidently have a good relationship with the auctioneer, have him call you several days ahead of the auction and let you see the items. Then if you can't be there you know how to bid. I also like local auctions, especially all gun auctions of which we have about 4 a year in my area by local's. They do both offer a preview time the day before and always get there early the day of to look over again. Happy hunting.
H Richard,
This estate auction was in your backyard in Western Central IL. I know the auctioneers, but I would not say I have a "good" relationship with them. I find that most of the local auctioneers are great about calling you for items you're interested in when you cannot be on sight. Unfortunately, in this case, I ran across the auction at the last minute and didn't have a chance to inspect the guns in advance or attend the auction in person. Oh well, there will be more. In addition, neither gun was on my current "must have" list.
Where and when are the 4 local gun auctions your referenced? I would love to attend one in the local area. I'm right on the IL border, and frequent West Central IL fairly frequently.
This estate auction was in your backyard in Western Central IL. I know the auctioneers, but I would not say I have a "good" relationship with them. I find that most of the local auctioneers are great about calling you for items you're interested in when you cannot be on sight. Unfortunately, in this case, I ran across the auction at the last minute and didn't have a chance to inspect the guns in advance or attend the auction in person. Oh well, there will be more. In addition, neither gun was on my current "must have" list.
Where and when are the 4 local gun auctions your referenced? I would love to attend one in the local area. I'm right on the IL border, and frequent West Central IL fairly frequently.
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