s&w 38spcl serial #6xxx
Thanks for your responses. Next time we go to town I'll check the library for the Supica book. In the meantime I'll try to describe it (with the help of anoter great web site,
http://www.gunsworld.com/exploded/sw36.htm, which shows a picture and the part names):
The serial number is only four numbers - no letters - beginning with a 6 and is repeated much smaller on the back of the cylinder where the bullets go in.
The cylinder holds five bullets and the barrel is barely 2 inches long. There's no rear sight, only a groove that runs the length of the frame and barrel to the front sight. The stock is wood hatched with a diamond pattern and the screws set in a larger diamond. At the top of the stock on each side is a silver circle with a fancy S&W intertwined.
On the right side of the frame are the words MADE IN USA - under that is MARCAS REGISTRADAS - under that SMITH & WESSON - and under that SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
On the right side of the barrel: 38 S.&W. SPL.
On the left side of the frame below the thumbpiece: a fancy intertwined S&W in a circle with the words TRADE in curved lettering above it and MARK in curved lettering below it and REG.U.S. PAT. OFF. in curved lettering below that.
On the left inside part of the yoke are the numbers 41091 and above them a mark that could be a written N or possibly a K.
On the left side of the barrel the words SMITH & WESSON.
I really hope this post isn't too long. The defensive shooting instructor thinks this may be a pretty old gun but he wasn't sure how old.
Thanks again for providing help to the newbies out here. Well, anyway, new to handguns.
granny