Smith&Wesson 38 revolver - Please help with Model Number & Date of Mfg.

[caddycts-v]

View attachment 767339

 

[JP@AK]

Early WWII military production. Notice the plugged swivel hole on the butt.

I'll be very surprised if the right side of the barrel is not marked .38 S&W CTG. That means it was not originally chambered for the .38 Special, regardless of how it is chambered now.

The pearl stocks are not original.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Jack is usually right on. But, I'm gonna disagree politely. It is a very early "S series serial number" Post-WWII M&P made with a WWII frame in March or April 1946. It left the factory with a nickel finish (N under the barrel). My guess is it is chambered for .38 Special. The grips are Jay Scott faux pearls.

 

[JP@AK]

It is a very early "S series serial number" Post-WWII M&P made with a WWII frame in March or April 1946. It left the factory with a nickel finish (N under the barrel).

CORRECT. I didn't open the picture all the way, so I didn't see the S at the bottom of the picture. I did wonder about the nickel mark on the barrel flat, since BSRs were not nickel plated.

S815307 almost certainly shipped in March 1946. It is noteworthy that quite a few in that serial range had the nickel finish and the 5" barrel. This one fits into that pattern.

 

[DWalt]

An early production postwar Military and Police (M&P) model. Nickel finish is very probably original. That particular variation was made up to about serial number S 990xxx when the internal mechanism was somewhat modified. The grips are aftermarket.

 

[caddycts-v]

Early WWII military production. Notice the plugged swivel hole on the butt.

I'll be very surprised if the right side of the barrel is not marked .38 S&W CTG. That means it was not originally chambered for the .38 Special, regardless of how it is chambered now.

The pearl stocks are not original.

Thanks, JP sorry I didn't send the right side it does say .38 S&w CTG

 

[caddycts-v]

Jack is usually right on. But, I'm gonna disagree politely. It is a very early "S series serial number" Post-WWII M&P made with a WWII frame in March or April 1946. It left the factory with a nickel finish (N under the barrel). My guess is it is chambered for .38 Special. The grips are Jay Scott faux pearls.

Thanks for your help. Glad to get the information.

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks, JP sorry I didn't send the right side it does say .38 S&w CTG

Are you sure it doesn't say, "38 S&W Special CTG?" See Posts #3 and #4 above. My original post #2 was incorrect. You have a postwar revolver, and it should be chambered for the .38 Special.

 

[caddycts-v]

Are you sure it doesn't say, "38 S&W Special CTG?" See Posts #3 and #4 above. My original post #2 was incorrect. You have a postwar revolver, and it should be chambered for the .38 Special.

 

[caddycts-v]

Are you sure it doesn't say, "38 S&W Special CTG?" See Posts #3 and #4 above. My original post #2 was incorrect. You have a postwar revolver, and it should be chambered for the .38 Special.

Yes it does say "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG"

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks, caddycts-v

Here is the rest of the story (apologies to the late Paul Harvey):

When I missed the S prefix and thought the full serial number was only 815307, I assumed it to be a British Service Revolver from about 1941. The BSRs had a 5" barrel (for the most part), while the U.S. Victory Models had a 4" barrel. So, the serial number and the barrel length had me concluding it was a BSR. Those were chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, which is both shorter and fatter than the .38 Special.
However, once I realized it had the S prefix, I knew it was a postwar Military & Police unit. Those were chambered for the .38 Special. Hence, I asked you for clarification of the barrel marking. I appreciate the reply.

 

[caddycts-v]

Thanks, caddycts-v

Here is the rest of the story (apologies to the late Paul Harvey):

When I missed the S prefix and thought the full serial number was only 815307, I assumed it to be a British Service Revolver from about 1941. The BSRs had a 5" barrel (for the most part), while the U.S. Victory Models had a 4" barrel. So, the serial number and the barrel length had me concluding it was a BSR. Those were chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, which is both shorter and fatter than the .38 Special.
However, once I realized it had the S prefix, I knew it was a postwar Military & Police unit. Those were chambered for the .38 Special. Hence, I asked you for clarification of the barrel marking. I appreciate the reply.

Thank you for the information. I purchased this in 1975 from a friend that was getting a divorce and needed the money. Paid $250 for the revolver, box of shells and holster.

 

[Model19man]

This revolver was made 10 years or more before S&W started assigning Model Numbers. There is no model number.

 

[Heinz]

Although that pistol is not in really great shape it is not in really bad shape either and is an interesting example of post ww2 shift back to civilian production. I think the roll stamp on the barrel was modified from 38 S&W to 38 S&W Special, probably at the factory. Clean it up gently and enjoy it. It has character

 

[caddycts-v]

Although that pistol is not in really great shape it is not in really bad shape either and is an interesting example of post ww2 shift back to civilian production. I think the roll stamp on the barrel was modified fro 38 S&W to 38 S&W Special, probably at the factory. Clean it up gently and enjoy it. It ahas character

Thanks, I plan on giving it to my Grand Son and yes it has wear from use but is still very accurate.

 

[caddycts-v]

This revolver was made 10 years or more before S&W started assigning Model Numbers. There is no model number.

OK, thanks for the info.

 

[JP@AK]

I think the roll stamp on the barrel was modified fro (sic) 38 S&W to 38 S&W Special, probably at the factory.

Almost certainly not the case. For one thing, by 1945, the factory was no longer producing the BSR. As far as I can tell, all of the 1945 production was going to U.S. military depots, particularly the Navy. Barrels, regardless of length, were for the .38 Special. All of the known SV and S prefix revolvers were chambered for the .38 Special. Postwar 5" barrels did not need to have the caliber designation changed.

My database of 15,000+ SV and S prefix M&P revolvers is strong evidence for the conclusion stated above.

A very small exception is the handful of M&P units with the S prefix that were chambered for the .32 Long cartridge.

 

[Heinz]

Thank you for the correction, JP@AK.
Once upon a time I was an active collector of Imperial German pistols. In cpmparison, I never cease to be amazed at how badly Smith could do in their stamping. I have always assumed they used roll stamping, but is that true?