I have a Swith and Wesson 38 S.&W. special CTG revolver with serial number 403655. It has the S.&W. trademark logo on the left side of the chassis. It also has patent pending dates on top of the barrel. Can you help m,e determine the age and year of this revolver?
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38 smith and wesson
- Thread starter austinm
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Starter52
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A picture would help. If not, at least tell us if your gun is 5-shot or 6-shot.
The Lone Haranguer
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Radagast
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Need to know if its a 5 or 6 shot, is the hammer exposed or internal, aluminium or steel frame, any model markings stamped on the frame under the cylinder yoke.
I'm going to guess its a steel 6 shot with no model markings and an exposed hammer.
This would make it a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1920 & 1927. If this is the case it has a heat treated cylinder (introduced in 1920), but the quality of the steel is not up to modern standards so shooting of PlusP or +P+ ammo through it is not recommended. It also lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944. If dropped the gun could fire, so leaving the chamber under the hammer empty is the prudent thing to do.
In excellent condition the gun would be worth around $350.
If its a 5 shot get back to us with the details requested above for a different answer.
I'm going to guess its a steel 6 shot with no model markings and an exposed hammer.
This would make it a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1920 & 1927. If this is the case it has a heat treated cylinder (introduced in 1920), but the quality of the steel is not up to modern standards so shooting of PlusP or +P+ ammo through it is not recommended. It also lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944. If dropped the gun could fire, so leaving the chamber under the hammer empty is the prudent thing to do.
In excellent condition the gun would be worth around $350.
If its a 5 shot get back to us with the details requested above for a different answer.
Radagast
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OK, a 5 shot, exposed hammer, blued or nickel, all steel .38 special would be a Model 36 Chiefs Special manufactured between 1962 & 1969.
There should be a S&W trademark on the left side of the frame. In the cylinder yoke cut out it should be stamped Model 36, but occasionally guns left the factory without the correct stamping.
If the cylinder release latch is flat then the gun is from 1966 or earlier.
If the cylinder release latch is concave then 1966 or later.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1968 or earlier.
If the grips are original and the checkering runs up to the grip screws then 1968 or later.
There should be a S&W trademark on the left side of the frame. In the cylinder yoke cut out it should be stamped Model 36, but occasionally guns left the factory without the correct stamping.
If the cylinder release latch is flat then the gun is from 1966 or earlier.
If the cylinder release latch is concave then 1966 or later.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1968 or earlier.
If the grips are original and the checkering runs up to the grip screws then 1968 or later.
Radagast
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No problem, in that case my original answer is correct.
Black Butte
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If it is a .38 Double Action, the 4th serial number range of 322701-539000 corresponds to a date of manufacture that falls within the years 1895-1909.
If it is a .38 Special Hand Ejector M&P, the the serial range of 241704-700000 corresponds to a date range of 1915-1942.
The above information was taken from pages 396-397 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3rd edition) authored by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas
If it is a .38 Special Hand Ejector M&P, the the serial range of 241704-700000 corresponds to a date range of 1915-1942.
The above information was taken from pages 396-397 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3rd edition) authored by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas
Radagast
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It can't be a .38 double action as the caliber is .38 S&W Special, Not .38 S&W and the gun is a 5 shot.
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change guns with serial numbers in the 3589xxx range shipped in 1920 and in the 500xxx range in 1927, so 1920 to 1927 as I posted above.
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change guns with serial numbers in the 3589xxx range shipped in 1920 and in the 500xxx range in 1927, so 1920 to 1927 as I posted above.
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