Would like to know more about my S&W Police Special

[phauke]

I read a post that specified the information you need and, hopefully, I have gathered it all.

What I want to know is the age of this and what it might be worth. I was not able to load the full picture of the pistol as I am allowed only five images.

Here are the details followed by pics:

38 S&W Police Special CTG (on the barrel)
Serial Number C4516 (Bottom of Grip and under the barrel
Numbers behind the yoke:
6 A
99981
Hand ejector
4" Barrel
Notch sight
4 Screws (possibly one under the grip)
No lanyard ring

[email protected]

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome to the Forum.
You have a Military and Police revolver that was made in 1949 or 1950. It was re-named the Model 10 in 1957, and millions were made. It does not actually say "Police" on it, but it was very popular with law enforcement for almost 100 years.
Looks like a nice one.
Jim

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum. Similar models to your gun are usually seen for sale at most gun shows with asking prices around $450 - $525, and can be bought for about $75 - $100 less. The correct name for your gun is Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th change. Serial number C 1 was made in April, 1948, and C4516 would have been made in late 1948. The numbers behind the yoke are assembly numbers used in production to get parts back together after bluing or plating, and have no connection to the serial number on the butt, or any record keeping. Ed.

 

[DWalt]

Yours is an early C-series, and as previously stated, is likely to have been shipped mid to late 1948. The big change in the C-series was the incorporation of the new short action with what S&W called the "High Speed Hammer," even though that change began very late in the preceding S-series. Revolvers prior to SN S990000 (approximately) had the long action, and the hammer appearance between long action and short action revolvers is readily apparent. Yours is correctly described as being a "pre-Model 10."
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I'd guess yours did not leave the factory nickel plated. I can't tell if your hammer and trigger are plated, but if so, it definitely was not a factory job. And your grips are aftermarket. I'd put its value substantially lower than previously stated, especially if the plating is not original. A period-correct pair of factory grips will set you back $50-$100 depending upon condition.

 

[Butchbird]

I have C5053 -- It lettered for June 24 1948 so that gives you a pretty good idea when it was made

 

[JP@AK]

It really looks like aftermarket plating to me. And can anyone tell what all that extra stamping on the barrel flat is?
I'd say this is a $300 gun at best.
And yes. It has 5 frame screws.
Jack

 

[s&wchad]

And can anyone tell what all that extra stamping on the barrel flat is?

‎CAI St Albans VT
The gun was imported by Century Arms.

 

[Muley Gil]

‎CAI St Albans VT
The gun was imported by Century Arms.

This revolver apparently went overseas and then was brought back.

Many foreign countries used S&W revolvers after WW II.

 

[JP@AK]

‎CAI St Albans VT
The gun was imported by Century Arms.

Thank you! I just couldn't make it out and kept seeing CAL, rather than CAI.
I feel better now . . .

 

[opoefc]

If I recall right, there was contract between S&W and the Netherlands after WW2 for a quantity of this model to be shipped to Indonesia. Since this gun is an import, perhaps it was part of that contract? Just a WAG ! Ed.

 

[phauke]

Thank You!

All of you are amazing! I bought this at a swap meet a few years ago and paid about $200 for it. The history that you have mapped out makes this a bit more special!

The stamp on just below the hammer is a S&W logo with "Trade" above the circle and "Mark" below the circle.

Happy New Year!
Patrick