What exactly does my coworker have

[Aemsl69]

Hi Guys,

A friend of mine from work has a .38 Special that he states was given to grandfather in the late 1930’s early 1940’s. It’s still in the presentation case and retains about 99% or better of its original blue.

I attached some pictures for y’all to take a look at. If you need more information or additional pics let me know.

 

[series guy]

That would be a .38 Special Hand Ejector Military and Police Target model. Probably shipped in 1940-41. Very nice example. It sure looks like new.

 

[Muley Gil]

That is a target model .38 Military & Police from the late 1930s-late 1940s. I believe the case was added later.

 

[Targets Guy]

I'm thinking between 1934 and 1937 unless target models went different.

That is a beauty and goes for a premium.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Very Nice gun!

 

[Aemsl69]

I'm thinking between 1934 and 1937 unless target models went different.

That is a beauty and goes for a premium.

Mike,

he said gun was presented to his grandfather
In 1937 prior to or at being to commissioned in the U.S. Navy.

 

[Triathloncoach]

Ok guys, what is a ballpark figure on its value? Just being nosy. Tree-fiddy?

 

[Aemsl69]

I will have it in my hands and this weekend and will be giving it a a good cleaning and lubrication and a wax job. He wants to shoot it and I’m hoping he will let me have a crack at it first.

Any recommendations on wax and oils for the grips? Hoppes #9 ok for cleaning this beauty?

 

[Peak53]

its a beaut! Hoppes #9 will be perfect for that old blue. I would clean it well, remove all oil from the outside, and apply some RenWax to the metal and stocks. No oil on the stocks,please. It will glow! Case not original. I'll open the bidding at $2000.

 

[gmborkovic]

If you buy it, get the box. Value, $700-900.

 

[Aemsl69]

Is this worth lettering?

Mike

 

[Targets Guy]

Is this worth lettering?

Mike

Yes. and use Ren wax.

 

[rct269]

For the when-----------------------------------

#646192 went out March 20, 1934

#659118 went out December 23, 1936


For the how much, I raise it to $2,500---$3,000 on a good day----and more if necessary---and you can keep the box.

Ralph Tremaine

And if you're sure enough going to shoot it, the rear sight doesn't work the way your intuition might think it does---which is to say the lock screw serves two functions. Read the instructions---and follow them. Otherwise, the sight will shoot loose. Set and locked properly, this is the best sight S&W ever made----in that it is infinitely adjustable---and won't shoot loose (the first one that won't). Granted the "micrometer" adjustable sight which followed won't shoot loose either---but it's not infinitely adjustable---just "close enough"---and it's a damn sight easier to work with.

 

[Aemsl69]

If you buy it, get the box. Value, $700-900.

I wish this were for sale. Unfortunately not in the cards, which is cool. Hopefully clean it up and shoot it with the proud owner on Saturday. He is a really nice guy.

 

[Targets Guy]

For the when-----------------------------------

#646192 went out March 20, 1934

#659118 went out December 23, 1936


For the how much, I raise it to $2,500---$3,000 on a good day----and more if necessary---and you can keep the box.

Ralph Tremaine

Were those target models? Thanks.

 

[Aemsl69]

Were those target models? Thanks.

I copied my friend on the thread! I think he will be surprised at the potential value of this firearm.

 

[murphydog]

The case is not factory, but obviously if it came with the gun as part of the presentation it is valuable for family reasons.

.38 M & Ps of that vintage are common; ones in new or near new condition are not; and Target guns in that condition are fairly rare. $2000-2500 is probably about right but hopefully the family will never need the money.

 

[Targets Guy]

I'm not so sure. Everything I've read on this site and elsewhere would indicate .38 M&P production in the 30's was far from robust. Just in my small data base I show s/n618788 shipping 1/30 and s/n 683702 shipping 7/40.

That's less than 70,000 for the decade.

 

[Targets Guy]

I copied my friend on the thread! I think he will be surprised at the potential value of this firearm.

Someone sure took care of that gun. What a wonderful heirloom. My cousin and my older brother's family have both of the civil war muskets my great-grandfather used in the civil war. I think it is terrific to have something from a generation twice removed or more from you.

 

[rburg]

I just sent one in about identical condition to David Carroll, except it had the HBH and a 674,000 serial #. We'll see how good your estimates are whenever it sells.