S&W .38 Revolver search

[NobodyElse]

Hello,

I'm trying to trace the history of a S&W .38 Revolver, serial # 36925. I know it was in Etowah Tennessee in 1927. I would love to know where and when it was produced and what happened to it. This is part of ongoing historical research and I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

RNS

 

[NobodyElse]

Hello,

I'm trying to trace the history of a S&W .38 Revolver, serial # 36925. I know it was in Etowah Tennessee in 1927. I would love to know where and when it was produced and what happened to it. This is part of ongoing historical research and I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

RNS

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You can get a letter from the S&W historian, Mr Roy Jinks, that will tell you where the factory shipped the gun and when. Beyond that, it is anyone's guess.

Be advised that the serial number is the one located on the butt of the revolver.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/C...5301&sectionId=10504

 

[mikepriwer]

N

Can you post a couple of pictures of this gun ? There are several .38 S&W's.

One picture of each side would be helpful.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[opoefc]

Mike is correct. There at least 10 different models of S&W revolvers that were made prior to 1927 that could have that serial number. Which model are you tracing?

 

[NobodyElse]

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, the only info I have is that the gun was a S&W .38 Special (#369625) that fired Peters Brand long-range shells, the document I have wasn't more specific. I know it was in Etowah TN in August 1927, but the ownership isn't certain.

 

[dbarale]

Long Range shells? Sounds like some heavy loads, 38/44 HD maybe?

 

[mikepriwer]

What is the real serial number ? You've mentioned 36925, and now 369625 ?
Getting this right will be a big help in starting your historical research.

Even getting this right will not clear up the mystery. Ed has pointed out that
there are many different models, with one or the other of these serial numbers,
that are candidates.

If the number is 369625, and it is chambered for .38 special, then its probably
a .38 M&P ; this serial number would have been shipped about 1921, which would
fit being in Tennesse in 1927. If this is not the serial number, then we are
back to confusion.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[NobodyElse]

Thanks. My bad! It is the 6 digit number (I had taken the number from two different parts of the document). It doesn't say what model it was. Where would it have been shipped from and would a shipping order exist?

As for the shells, that is all I have, Peters Brand Long Range shells. Would they have been in common usage at the time?

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The only place it would have shipped from would be the S&W factory in Springfield Mass. In those days S&W may have shipped it directly to a customer, to a distributor, to a sporting goods store, or even to a hardware store. But the only place it would have shipped from would have been the S&W factory in Springfield. Smith built a brand new factory in Springfield in the early 1950s, I forget the previous address, but someone will know it.

Smith & Wesson has always been in Springfield Mass, since 1857.

Roy Jinks can tell you exactly when and where the gun was shipped, but you need to supply some more specific information. All he will be able to tell you is who Smith shipped it to. If for instance it was shipped to a sporting goods store or a hardware store or a distributor, that is all he will be able to tell you. It will be up to you to research the store.

 

[cgt4570]

If you are asking if it belonged to the local police department or such, you might be able to ask them. Etowah is still around. It's a small town of just a few thousand about 40 miles or so SE of Knoxville.

Beyond that, there's absolutely no way to know the whereabouts of a gun by serial number. Thankfully, in Tennessee, guns are treated like any other tool. Once purchased, you are free to sell them to anyone who can legally own them without the need for any documentation.
As for factory records, if it ever went back for repair work, you would have to know the name of the customer who sent it before they could look it up. They cannot cross old repair orders by serial number.

 

[NobodyElse]

Again, thanks for the replies.

On the history of the weapon and its location, it was sold to the Belknap Hardware Co in Louisville, then it was in Chatsworth, Murray County, Georgia from 8 August 1927 to at least the end of February 1928 when it was apparently returned to someone in Spring Place near Etowah. From there is has disappeared. I have some reason to doubt that it was ever in Etowah or it was "returned". I was hoping a collector might have the weapon, so I came to this forum to see what I could find.

On the phrasing in the document, this could get long, but I will give as much as I have:
"It was a .38 Smith and Wesson Pistol, don't know whether it was a special or not. I would not be positive about that, pretty sure it is though. It shoots a 38 Special long range shell...I have one of the shells that I fired...That was one it was loaded with when I got it, a Peter's 38 Smith and Wesson Special... The shells that was shot from the pistol, number 369625, 38 Smith and Wesson Special. I have observed these shells, and have observed the caps, the manner in which it was bursted...and have compared it with the shell...and I find it has the same marks on it, that they have the same peculiar mark on them....There were two other 38 Smith and Wesson pistols shot on the occasion...comparing these shells, they are different...I understand that these guns are made at the factory in a considerable volume. The parts are changed from time to time as the models improve. I don't know how they are made...this gun is the same model with a different handle [from 369625]". the text moves on then comes back to the S&W weapons. "...I have made observations of shells fired from various pistols...From that experience I will state that I have never seen any two guns which strike the cap alike, make the same plunger mark...."

On Etowah, I've been there a number of times to conduct research and it is nice little town, as is that whole area - great people!

Again, any help will be greatly appreciated.