Help identify S&W revolver

neilticktin · February 10, 2019, 10:19 PM

Hi,

I’ve inherited a Smith & Wesson .38 Special CTG serial number 403xxx … and I’m wondering if anyone can help me get more details on it (e.g., year). In found an addition number 30032 that you can see when the cylinder is open.

Any idea when it was made (roughly)?

Thanks!

Neil

**Mike Irwin** · February 11, 2019, 11:52 AM

How many rounds does it hold?

That makes a difference.

.38 Special Ctg. isn't the model. It identifies the cartridge that the gun fires.

RickB · February 11, 2019, 12:36 PM

I'm going to predict it's a Model 1905 4th Change, made in the 1920s.
It seems like virtually every old Smith .38 Special is an '05 4th . . .

DPris · February 11, 2019, 01:17 PM

When they're not busy being CTGs.

Denis

**Mike Irwin** · February 11, 2019, 02:02 PM

No reason to be snarky, D. Pris.

RJay · February 11, 2019, 05:04 PM

With out pictures, now can we be assured it is a S&W ?? I have seen a lot of Spanish revolvers that are roll marked ' Best used with S&w cartridges

DPris · February 11, 2019, 05:09 PM

Sure it is, Mike.
Initially posting a CTG question in a thread where TWICE it was already stated that CTG is NOT a model designation.
Snark followed your re-packaging.

Denis

SaxonPig · February 11, 2019, 06:31 PM

The CTG was S&W's biggest seller.

I agree the most likely culprit is a Military & Police Model from early 1920s.

DPris · February 11, 2019, 06:38 PM

The CTG is one of those rare guns that was actually manufactured by BOTH S&W and Colt!
Denis

**Mike Irwin** · February 11, 2019, 07:13 PM

No, no it's not. Last warning.

Dave T · February 12, 2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

The CTG was S&W's biggest seller.

Mike Irwin,

Not trying to add to the problem but that quote is funny, I don't care who you are. (smile)

Dave

briandg · February 12, 2019, 12:48 PM

I am going to assume that you aren't a shooter and know very little about firearms. So here are some fundamental questions that would be helpful to know.

Were there any other markings at all, for example a US or PD or any other words or names? How long is the barrel from the end to end of just the actual barrel? Is anything marked on either the inside of the wooden grips or hidden on the steel where they were?

I agree that it may be the 1905.

A helpful thing may be to go to gunbroker and run a search for the 1905 and search through the list of 1905 entries to find similar models and learn something there.

https://www.gunbroker.com/

Here is something that will help a bit.

Quote:

M&P Model of 1905 (original) mfg. 1905 - 1906 (approx 10,900)
M&P Model of 1905 1st Change mfg. 1906 - 1908 (approx 73,650 = 1st + 2nd Change mfg. combined)
M&P Model of 1905 2nd Change mfg. 1908 - 1909 (unknown, see 1st Change note above)
M&P Model of 1905 3rd Change mfg. 1909 - 1915 (approx 94,800)
M&P Model of 1905 4th Change mfg. 1915 - 1942 (approx 458,300)

wikipedia.

briandg · February 12, 2019, 01:11 PM

This particular handgun is available constantly as they seem to be sitting in thousands of drawers and closets. I've handled three that were found in the closets of old farts that I knew. There were well over a half million made and I found one in a gun shop as recently as ten years ago. Should have bought it. iir it was stamped lapd.

February 10, 2019, 10:19 PM	#1
neilticktin Junior Member Join Date: February 10, 2019 Posts: 1	Help identify S&W revolver Hi, I’ve inherited a Smith & Wesson .38 Special CTG serial number 403xxx … and I’m wondering if anyone can help me get more details on it (e.g., year). In found an addition number 30032 that you can see when the cylinder is open. Any idea when it was made (roughly)? Thanks! Neil

February 11, 2019, 11:52 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	How many rounds does it hold? That makes a difference. .38 Special Ctg. isn't the model. It identifies the cartridge that the gun fires. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 11, 2019, 12:36 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I'm going to predict it's a Model 1905 4th Change, made in the 1920s. It seems like virtually every old Smith .38 Special is an '05 4th . . . __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

February 11, 2019, 02:02 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	No reason to be snarky, D. Pris. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 11, 2019, 05:04 PM	#6
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	With out pictures, now can we be assured it is a S&W ?? I have seen a lot of Spanish revolvers that are roll marked ' Best used with S&w cartridges __________________ Ron James

February 11, 2019, 01:17 PM	#4
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	When they're not busy being CTGs. Denis

February 11, 2019, 05:09 PM	#7
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Sure it is, Mike. Initially posting a CTG question in a thread where TWICE it was already stated that CTG is NOT a model designation. Snark followed your re-packaging. Denis

February 11, 2019, 06:31 PM	#8
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	The CTG was S&W's biggest seller. I agree the most likely culprit is a Military & Police Model from early 1920s.

February 11, 2019, 06:38 PM	#9
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	The CTG is one of those rare guns that was actually manufactured by BOTH S&W and Colt! Denis

February 11, 2019, 07:13 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	No, no it's not. Last warning. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 12, 2019, 01:11 PM	#13
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	This particular handgun is available constantly as they seem to be sitting in thousands of drawers and closets. I've handled three that were found in the closets of old farts that I knew. There were well over a half million made and I found one in a gun shop as recently as ten years ago. Should have bought it. iir it was stamped lapd. __________________ None.