Old S&W 38 Special Identification

[LoveKG]

I found this old S&W 38 Special with pearl handle with a bull's head. There are two stampings which I can't tell if they are serial or model numbers. Can anyone help?

C49460
575975

Thanks,
Dave

 

[pj150]

Pictures of the revolver will help alot but check out this thread for more info httphttp://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/68254-How-to-Identify-Date-a-S-amp-W

 

[LoveKG]

It won't let me post pictures or at least I can't figure out how to...

 

[pj150]

there should be a 'insert image' icon when you post.

 

[LoveKG]

It only allows me to post images from an external URL, i.e. another website. It doesn't give me any options to pick pictures from my computer or camera SD card. Anyone know why?

 

[LoveKG]

At any rate, I picked it up in a small antique shop in the middle of North Carolina. The proprietor said that it was the service revolver of the sheriff of Chatham County, NC, from 1932-1949. He called it a 1938 S&W Steer Head but the dealer was not a gun dealer, just a general antiques dealer who happened to have this piece in his shop.

 

[samandglove1]

What is the number on the butt of the revolver? That is correct serial number.

 

[LoveKG]

The stamp on the butt reads 575975.

The stamp inside the frame by the cylinder reads C49460.

 

[Taka]

Found this for sale online. You can view the first 50 pages or so, but the serial number info isn't viewable.
Some good info that may help you


http://books.google.com/books?id=D8qXdU45SCUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Taka]

Lot's of info here and many people looking up numbers for others.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/326457-identify-your-gun.html

 

[samandglove1]

Model of 1905, 4th Change. Its from the 1930's, but I don't have my books in front of me to get a more precise date.

 

[LoveKG]

Great, thanks. I think I figured out why I couldn't post pictures. I think you have to pay for a membership to be able to do that, which I've done. Will post pics shortly if that works.

 

[mark056]

Model of 1905, 4th Change. Its from the 1930's, but I don't have my books in front of me to get a more precise date.

[strike]And OP it is not .38 Special, it would .38 S&W an entirely different car trig quite popular from the late 1800s thru say 1950. Don't confuse the two. 38 Special rounds will not fit in your gun unless someone has bored out the chambers in the cylinder.[/strike]

I'll redact the above. Looks like a Military and Police. Should be fine with .38 Special standard velocity ammunition . Love the grips.

 

[LoveKG]

A few pictures of the gun and the stamps. The serial number is stamped in two places, on the base of the butt and on the barrel.

 

[LoveKG]

The cartridge stamp clearly says .38 Special and I added the patent stamp as well.

 

[samandglove1]

Are there any markings on the underside of the grips (Roman Numerals, etc…)? They could be Wolf & Klar grips, which would be pretty valuable. If they are not Wolf & Klar, they could still be worth $100-200 if mother of pearl. If they are catalin or bakelite, the value goes down. They don't look like ivory to me from the pictures.

 

[LoveKG]

Sorry for the delay in responding but I've been on the road for a few days. I don't have the pistol in front of me right now but I didn't see any markings on the grips. One of my posted photos shows the base of the butt and there is nothing on the grips. And I have no idea yet what they be made of. I pretty much picked it up as a conversation piece and if it turns out to have some value, all the better. I'll probably take it to a collector like Affordable Firearms of Pelham, NH to have them take a look.

Thanks for the help...

 

[Darrin33]

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/68254-How-to-Identify-Date-a-S-amp-W

Check this link.