Smith and Wesson. 38 revolver pearl handle serial number, how old is it??

[AlexTooTall]

Hi I am a beginner when it comes to guns. Maybe someone could help me out with figuring out how old this gun is. I know there's alot of people on here that know alot more than me. I have a Smith and Wesson. 38 revolver with a Pearl handle. It is old because it was my great grandfather's. It looks like the barrel on it is about 3" inches long, does That sound right? On the bottom of the handle it has what appears to be a serial number that says C 126523. I do know this is a genuine Smith and Wesson because it says Made in U.S.A. Could someone tell me what year this gun was made and how much it's worth? I plan on keeping this gun and am curious, any help would be very appreciated. Thank you.

[Jim Watson]

It is a Military & Police and was made sometime between 1948 and 1952.
The barrel is probably 4" long, you measure from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle, not the front of the frame.

I won't guess a dollar value because, first, I haven't seen the gun or even a picture, and second, because you say it is not for sale it doesn't matter.

[sgms]

a couple of clear pictures will make it easier to get information with condition really is very important.

[KyJim]

Was the M&P from 1948 to 1952 produced in .38 S&W? If so, the original poster needs to let us know the markings on the barrel to determine if it is chambered for .38 S&W or .38 S&W Special (.38 special). These are not interchangeable cartridges.

[Webleymkv]

Was the M&P from 1948 to 1952 produced in .38 S&W? If so, the original poster needs to let us know the markings on the barrel to determine if it is chambered for .38 S&W or .38 S&W Special (.38 special). These are not interchangeable cartridges.

Indeed they were. The M&P revolver was made in .38 S&W from 1936 until 1965. After 1957, the .38 S&W M&P was known as the Model 11. The most commonly encountered .38 S&W M&P's were made for the dimensionally-identical .380 Revolver Mk. I and Mk.IIz cartridges for use by British Commonwealth countries during WWII.

[dahermit]

...I do know this is a genuine Smith and Wesson because it says Made in U.S.A...

That does not make it a Smith & Wesson. If it says, "Made in the U.S.A. Marcus Registradas Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass.", then it is a Smith & Wesson.

[James K]

I think we need those pictures.

Jim

[carguychris]

["Made in U.S.A."] does not make it a Smith & Wesson. If it says, "Made in the U.S.A. Marcus Registradas Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass.", then it is a Smith & Wesson.

This is incorrect. The "MADE IN U.S.A." mark was introduced in the early 1920s. IIRC the four-line "MARCAS REGISTRADAS" mark was introduced in 1948 on the M&P series. I used to own an early postwar M&P with a high "S" prefix serial number (S988xxx IIRC); it had a single-line "MADE IN U.S.A." marking.

The "C" prefix started in 1948, so an early C-series M&P might still have the single-line marking.

[dahermit]

This is incorrect. The "MADE IN U.S.A." mark was introduced in the early 1920s. IIRC the four-line "MARCAS REGISTRADAS" mark was introduced in 1948 on the M&P series. I used to own an early postwar M&P with a high "S" prefix serial number (S988xxx IIRC); it had a single-line "MADE IN U.S.A." marking.

I stand corrected.