Need info on a old smith and wesson .38

daleboy · October 27, 2012, 07:04 PM

I wife has a 38 with serial# on the bottom starts with C 37xxx can some one give me a little back ground on this. Its in exellent shape and shoots good.

Willie Sutton · October 27, 2012, 07:08 PM

As usual... need photos and any other information. That's a pretty scant description.

Willie

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daleboy · October 27, 2012, 07:36 PM

Ok thanks Willie I will load a pic and more info in a few

laytonj1 · October 27, 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

C 37xxx

That serial number makes it a 38 Military & Police.
Serial numbers ran from C1 in 1948 to C223998 in 1951.
These became known as model 10's when S&W began assigning model numbers ~1957.

Jim

daleboy · October 27, 2012, 08:33 PM

Its a 6 shot model 10 with a K frame Serial C 37XXX. Early 1900's

RJay · October 27, 2012, 08:37 PM

" Early 1900'S ?" The C prefix was not used untill 1948

daleboy · October 27, 2012, 08:46 PM

Thanks guys, 1948 is correct.

daleboy · October 27, 2012, 08:52 PM

Thanks guys, some body told me early 1900's maybe. But it looked way newer that that. 1948 is right

Winchester_73 · October 27, 2012, 09:49 PM

They look similar though. There are subtle differences such as mushroom vs straight head ejector rod, pre 5 screw 4 screw guns, 4 line address, front sight changes, patent dates, etc. As a rule of thumb, any time you see a letter prefix, you know its a post war S&W. I actually don't know of any pre WWII S&Ws with letter prefixes other than the Victory series, which IIRC began right at or right before WWII.

Here is a picture of two early 1915ish M&P 38 targets. Basically this is the same model, but with target sights. Notice how much was unchanged between this one and your post war M&P.

daleboy · October 27, 2012, 11:14 PM

Thanks Winchester for sharing the info. Those are really nice!

boa2 · October 29, 2012, 11:39 AM

I only have three transitional M& P revolvers with 2", 5" and 6" barrel lengths. They are all mint. Following are some pictures:

October 27, 2012, 07:04 PM	#1
daleboy Junior Member Join Date: October 27, 2012 Posts: 6	Need info on a old smith and wesson .38 I wife has a 38 with serial# on the bottom starts with C 37xxx can some one give me a little back ground on this. Its in exellent shape and shoots good.

October 27, 2012, 08:37 PM	#6
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,416	" Early 1900'S ?" The C prefix was not used untill 1948 __________________ Ron James

October 27, 2012, 09:49 PM	#9
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,623	They look similar though. There are subtle differences such as mushroom vs straight head ejector rod, pre 5 screw 4 screw guns, 4 line address, front sight changes, patent dates, etc. As a rule of thumb, any time you see a letter prefix, you know its a post war S&W. I actually don't know of any pre WWII S&Ws with letter prefixes other than the Victory series, which IIRC began right at or right before WWII. Here is a picture of two early 1915ish M&P 38 targets. Basically this is the same model, but with target sights. Notice how much was unchanged between this one and your post war M&P. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

October 27, 2012, 07:08 PM	#2
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	As usual... need photos and any other information. That's a pretty scant description. Willie .

October 27, 2012, 07:36 PM	#3
daleboy Junior Member Join Date: October 27, 2012 Posts: 6	Ok thanks Willie I will load a pic and more info in a few

October 27, 2012, 08:46 PM	#7
daleboy Junior Member Join Date: October 27, 2012 Posts: 6	Thanks guys, 1948 is correct.

October 27, 2012, 08:52 PM	#8
daleboy Junior Member Join Date: October 27, 2012 Posts: 6	Thanks guys, some body told me early 1900's maybe. But it looked way newer that that. 1948 is right

October 27, 2012, 11:14 PM	#10
daleboy Junior Member Join Date: October 27, 2012 Posts: 6	Thanks Winchester for sharing the info. Those are really nice!

October 29, 2012, 11:39 AM	#11
boa2 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Posts: 772	I only have three transitional M& P revolvers with 2", 5" and 6" barrel lengths. They are all mint. Following are some pictures: