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What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 4:09 pm
by iron369
I was given an older S&w 38special today. I don't know anything about it. There's no markings except the S&w logo and caliber designation on the barrel. It's really heavy. Any sources you might know of where I can find the info for myself would be fine too. Thanks.
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 4:50 pm
by Toddstang
It looks like one of the older .38 models, not a .38 special.
Is it marked .38 Special or .38?
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 4:57 pm
by WLJ
Did a blow up of your photo and I believe it says 38 S&W on the barrel which is not interchangeable with 38 SP (special). But the image is a little burry. Have a close up of the barrel to be sure?
38 S&W
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_S%26W
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 5:06 pm
by kokopelli
Looks like a Military & Police 1st model, with a shortened barrel.
Open the cylinder and look inside at the crane- there should be some markings there; also on the cylinder itself front and/or back; also look on the frame under the grips, including the bottom of the butt of the grip. Those older S&W's should have some markings in those locations.
The lack of a locking lug under the barrel should put it at the 1899-1902 timeframe, unless it's been re-barreled...
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 6:06 pm
by iron369
Toddstang wrote:It looks like one of the older .38 models, not a .38 special.
Is it marked .38 Special or .38?
It is marked "38 S&w special CTG"
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 6:44 pm
by nemo
Paging the Revolver Queen......
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 10:22 pm
by Vividia
kokopelli wrote:Looks like a Military & Police 1st model, with a shortened barrel.
Open the cylinder and look inside at the crane- there should be some markings there; also on the cylinder itself front and/or back; also look on the frame under the grips, including the bottom of the butt of the grip. Those older S&W's should have some markings in those locations.
The lack of a locking lug under the barrel should put it at the 1899-1902 timeframe, unless it's been re-barreled...
Ding, ding, ding. I agree, no extractor rod locking lug under the barrel likely means M&P model of 1899. The locking lug was added in the model of 1902.
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 1:05 am
by iron369
Re: What do I have?
Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 12:01 pm
by kokopelli
The number on the butt is your serial number, same number on cylinder means a numbers matching gun!
The crane number is a manufacturing number...
17297 puts it at the end of the range- 20,975 was the highest number in 1902
