[adavid02]

What’s the best way of dating an old S&W revolver?
I have a .38 Special S&W. On the left side of the barrel it appears to read “GB S&W Special”
“U.S. Service CTG’s”

On the right side it reads “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA
PAT’D Apr 19 89, March 27 94, May 02 95, July 26 96,Aug 04 96, Dec 22 96, Oct 4 98, Oct 8 91, Dec 17 01”

The serial starts with 55xxx

 

[UtiPossidetis]

S&W forum has lots of oldsters that think plastic is only for cheap children's toys. They eat stuff like your request up and love it.

 

[Nemo]

Are you sure thats 38 special? It sounds like it might be a 38 S&W cartridge. A touch shorter than a 38sp but can often still chamber the 38sp, with a touch of difficulty and more than a touch of dangerousness.

Be careful until you confirm it whichever way it is.

Nemo

 

[adavid02]

It was my grandfather’s and the barrel says 38, but he had it loaded with .38sp when I got it and I never really thought about it TBH

 

[UtiPossidetis]

Seriously, the old fudds at http://smith-wessonforum.com/ are gonna answer quickly with more details than you want.

 

[adavid02]

Seriously, the old fudds at http://smith-wessonforum.com/ are gonna answer quickly with more details than you want.

Just found their site; thank you!

 

[UtiPossidetis]

Just found their site; thank you!

No problem. Just be aware that they are VIGOROUS in POLICING the rules.

 

[adavid02]

Never known a revolver guy who wasn’t somewhat of a curmudgeon haha

 

[UtiPossidetis]

Never known a revolver guy who wasn't somewhat of a curmudgeon haha

Truth. Lots of good knowledge, nice folks, and then there are the Mods there........

 

[phantoms]

Be sure to report back.

 

[adavid02]

Y'all weren't kidding...I already received a bunch of replies
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/547453-help-identify-old-s-w-38-a.html

 

[UtiPossidetis]

Y'all weren't kidding...I already received a bunch of replies
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/547453-help-identify-old-s-w-38-a.html

You put up a pic - there are lots of old fudds very happy today. Good for you. Glad they are helping and not telling you "It would be better with a pic...." over and over and over again.

You got year of make, number made, caliber used, the version yours is, and some other stuff - all within 40 minutes. BTW, nice old pistol.

 

[phantoms]

They're on it over there.

Nice looking gun. Keep it, shoot it, enjoy it.

 

[Nemo]

I hope you noted one reply mentioned the Letter of Authenticity and date of shipping note from S&W. Spend the $75 to get it and you will enhance the value by $100-$150 once you have it.

Nemo

 

[adavid02]

I didn't notice that comment so think you! I will go back and check.

I hope you noted one reply mentioned the Letter of Authenticity and date of shipping note from S&W. Spend the $75 to get it and you will enhance the value by $100-$150 once you have it.

Nemo

 

[Nemo]

Post #14 in that thread.

Nemo

http://smith-wessonforum.com/139896695-post14.html

Welcome to the forum.

You have a nice old war horse with tons of history we'll never know.

As you discovered, accurate reading of old gun roll marks and serial #s or even existence of them, especially on pencil numbered stocks, requires magnification, bright light, cleaning, to provide correct information about the gun.

Th best way to date all S&W firearms is from a good book; the Standard Catalog of S&W, 4th edition being one of the best, and on Amazon.

For an exact shipping date and authenticity letter, one can be obtained from the S&W Historian for $75.

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