Pre model 10 id help

[allenkidd]

Hello all, my wife had a s&w .38 special passed down due to her mothers passing a few years back. I am curious as to the age and model of this pretty girl. The SN on bottom of grip is C3693xx. The numbers 43397 are stamped behind the rev chamber. Airweight .38 special CTG is stamped behind the barrel. Any help would be appreciated.

Kidd

 

[Targets Guy]

1954-1956. The 43397 is a number used in manufacturing. Check to see if the inside of the right stock has the s/n in it.

Nice revolver.

 

[Targets Guy]

oh and welcome to the forum. Someone smarter will be along and might be able to narrow the date for you.

 

[DWalt]

C3693xx would probably have shipped mid to late 1956.

 

[allenkidd]

I will check under the right grip tomorrow. Thank you both for your replies. Ive done quite a bit of limited research (google), and havent been able to make any concrete conclusions. I can assume it is a model K chiefs special from what I have read. Her grandpa was a former Marine (like me) and I would just like to formulate a hypothesis as to how it came into his possession. Rest assured it will be well cared for and never sold!

 

[murphydog]

At that time, it was named the .38 Airweight and is a K or medium frame; the Chiefs Special (steel or alloy Airweight versions) are one size smaller on the J frame.

Be sure to check if the cylinder attracts a magnet, meaning it is steel and safe to fire with standard pressure .38 Special. An alloy cylinder gun should not be fired, as the metal is brittle and prone to crack with use. Hope this is helpful.

 

[allenkidd]

I just checked and the serial number is stamped into the right pistol grip. Also the cylinder is magnetic and therefore steel.

 

[allenkidd]

At that time, it was named the .38 Airweight and is a K or medium frame; the Chiefs Special (steel or alloy Airweight versions) are one size smaller on the J frame.

Be sure to check if the cylinder attracts a magnet, meaning it is steel and safe to fire with standard pressure .38 Special. An alloy cylinder gun should not be fired, as the metal is brittle and prone to crack with use. Hope this is helpful.

Just want to make sure I understand you properly. I have the K frame pistol which means it is not a Chiefs Special. I am to assume the model is just called airweight?

Thank you all for your replies

 

[JP@AK]

It is correctly called a .38 Military & Police Airweight. Later it would become the Model 12.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...also the k frame is six shot...j frame Chiefs Special is a five shot revolver...

 

[DWalt]

No one has yet mentioned this, but it is widely known that the alloy framed Airweights and Model 12s can develop frame cracks. The location is where the barrel screws into the frame, at the bottom. Open the cylinder and look carefully to see if a longitudinal hairline crack can be seen. My recommendation is to never fire anything more powerful in it than standard velocity lead bullet loads. Certainly not any +P loads.

 

[allenkidd]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond and imparting your knowledge. I truley appreciate all of your help.

Cheers,
Paul