S&W Special

[magicjack13]

Hello. I'm a new member who recently came into possession of a S&W 38 Special CTG, ser#434198. It also has a number when you open the load gate of 64556. This is the first S&W I have ever owned. I am trying to find out a little about it. Age, history, value, etc. Any help you can give me would be very much appreciated. I really like the gun. It shoots well. I shot a six shot 2" group at 10yds & a 3" group at 20yds the very first time I shot it. It is a real comfortable gun and is about to convince me to change my carry gun after more than five years carrying a Glock. Never thought I would say that. Anyway, some of you experts out there please help me out. Later!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You mention a "loading gate". Hand ejector S&Ws have a cylinder, that has a number of chambers, generally 5 or 6 if it is a .38 special, that swings out to the side.

The serial number is loacted on the butt and may have a letter prefix, such as "V", "K", "S", etc. This letter may be seperated a bit from the digits, but it is still part of the SN.

Can you post pictures?

 

[magicjack13]

38 Special

As you probably noticed I'm not knowledgable about revolvers. I called it a 'loading gate' but I guess it is a cylinder. The serial # on the butt is 434198, no letter. I can't post pictures, sorry.

 

[DWalt]

It's likely that you have a S&W M&P (Model 1905, 4th Change) dating from the mid-1920s. Without a picture or two, it's difficult to say much more.

 

[magicjack13]

Value

So what do you think it is worth. The shape is good with about 80% of the bluing intact. The bore isn't pitted and as I posted the action is excellent and it shoots well. I am wondering because I am thinking about selling or trading it to get a newer S&W. If this is a good example of the quality of S&W revolvers, I think I am going to upgrade to something newer.

 

[DWalt]

Again, not a lot to go by in establishing condition, completeness, and correctness without a picture. In that 80% condition, maybe $250-300 as a guess. In a gun shop trade, not nearly that much.

 

[mikepriwer]

For what its worth, that is a better gun than what you can buy today - new.

Mike Priwer

 

[magicjack13]

Value vs Quality

So apparently quality doesn't necessarily equate with value in this case. Since I have seen that the new S&W revolvers run more than the suggested $300. What a shame! I guess I will just have to keep it! I really like the way it shoots anyway. Thanx for ya'll's assistance. Look forward to the future in this forum!

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."

B.Franklin

 

[Muley Gil]

"So apparently quality doesn't necessarily equate with value in this case."

The Military & Police is the most common revolver that S&W built, millions of them in fact. For the M&P, condition and rarity of version, like a target model, count the most.

 

[DWalt]

There is no shortage of pristine early M&Ps at relatively affordable prices. As long as those are available, no serious collector will be interested in one of lesser quality, as there are so many of them around. And it has nothing to do with quality of construction. It's not at all like, say, a Colt Walker, or a Model 1911A1 made by Singer, where even an example in mediocre or worse condition will still command a very hefty price due to rarity.

 

[magicjack13]

Well like I said, price doesn't really matter. I paid about what it is worth and I'm finding it more & more a joy to shoot. Just glad I bought some ammo before this stampede came along. At least I have some to shoot! Makes me think I might check into reloading. Thanks again for your help & keep shooting!

"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance, they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." G.Washington

 

[magicjack13]

Serial #

I looked closer today at my S&W and saw that I had missed the 'C' in front of the serial # 434XXX. Does that along with the # 64556 near the cylinder help to get a little more info? Oh, and the barrel length is 4". I have got some pix now and hope to get them posted soon but I am "technologically challenged" and am having to get some help. Still loving shooting it!

 

[DWalt]

C434xxx puts it at 1960. The other number means nothing, just an assembly number. It's still a K-frame M&P. It should say Model 10 or Model 10-1 inside the crane.