Need help ID.ing S&W Snub Nose Revolver

[Tallswede]

I recently inherited my mother's S&W Snubnosed revolver. I haven't found one that looks like it on the internet yet. I'm hoping with a description someone here can help me figure out what it is exactly. My mother told me it was given to her by someone in the early 60's when we had a peeping tom/burgler running around our neighborhood. It is blue steel, 38 special, 6 shot. Barrel is 2.25", plain wood non-rounded grips. Number stamped in bottom of handle - 959394 same number on back of cylinder. When I open the cylinder there is a 14 stamped there with numbers below it 75406. The same number is stamped on the hinge holding the cylinder. There is the usual S&W trademark on the right side. There is a fixed front sight with a groove on the top of the frame. The extractor pin stands clear of the barrel with only a clearance groove in the bottom of the barrel to clear the knurled knob on the end.
Can anyone tell me what I have and when it might have been made. Thanks for any help you might give.

Kevin

 

[rcmodel]

The serial number would make it a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th. change made between 1915 and 1942. Serial numers ranged from 241704 to 1000000, so your 959394 would have been a very late one.

The guns were produced in 2", 4", 5", and 6" barrel lengths.

They went through several changes during and after WWII, and are know known as the Model 10 M&P.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_10

The gun you have lacks the steel hammer block drop-safety now used, but does have a rebound slide hammer block.
It's safe fully loaded, just not as safe as a more modern S&W.

rc

 

[Oro]

Building on the above information, the odd barrel length you report, the s/n, and also the time period it was acquired hint that it might be what is known as an "Oswald Special" - a British .38 S&W service model made for them during WWII. Many of these were later cut down (originally most of them were 5" barrels) and the chambers altered to accept .38 Special instead of only .38 S&W. Where on the gun is it stamped ".38 Special?" The barrel is correctly measured from the end of the cylinder to the muzzle, not just where it exits the frame, fyi.

These were very, very common in the '50s and '60s as less expensive self-defense guns. The "Oswald Special" nickname came about later since L.H. Oswald used one to murder Dallas policeman J.D. Tippet following the JFK assassination

.

 

[Tallswede]

Thanks for the info Guys. Nowhere on the pistol is there a mark saying "38 Special" however that is all we've ever used in it. I am also wondering if this pistol will handle +P+ ammo? The plain grips lead me to believe it may be one of the low cost models. All the other pictures I've seen had grooves and or checkers on them.

Kevin

 

[Oro]

So what you've added suggests an "Oswald Special" with the original smooth grips. The original caliber would have been on the barrel, unless the barrel was cut-down and the gun refinished. Indicative of a .38 S&W British model.

The chamber bore is a little bit oversize for .38 special but usually just bulges the cases a little sometimes. Personally I don't think +p+ is a wise idea. The guns are heat treated to the cartridge standards of the time, which is in the realm of modern .38 Special +p. But you also have the slightly loose chambers to consider.

 

[rcmodel]

I am also wondering if this pistol will handle +P+ ammo?

+P+?
NO!
Don't even think about it!

+P?
Only if Atilla the Hun is about to break down your door.

Considering the age of the gun and it's questionable caliber pedigree, I would stick with standard pressure ammo.

rc

 

[Tallswede]

Thanks, and I will follow your suggestions just using standard loads.

Kevin