S&W 38 Special CTG

magicjack13 · February 13, 2013, 04:30 PM

I recently came into possession of a 38 S&W Special CTG. On the butt of the grip it has #434198 & when you open the cylinder you find the # 64556. It has about 80% of its bluing intact. Bore is smooth and clean. The gun exhibits no rust & shoots great! Can anyone give me an idea of when it was made and what it might be worth? Don't think I am going to get rid of it because it is great to shoot! Just wondering. Sorry I wasn't able to get my camera to work to post pictures.

**Mike Irwin** · February 13, 2013, 04:33 PM

It sounds as if you have a Military & Police model S&W, a.k.a, a pre Model 10.

A 400k serial number would put it some time in the 1930s, IIRC (don't have my reference books handy).

.38 Special CTG is NOT the model, it's the cartridge that it fires.

CTG is the abbreviation for cartridge.

James K · February 13, 2013, 09:40 PM

An M&P #434xxx should date to the late 1920's. Value would depend almost totally on condition and originality, as they are quite common guns.

Jim

magicjack13 · February 14, 2013, 04:03 PM

Thanks guys. That confirms what I had managed to scrounge up, but had been unsure of. Looks like value is about $300?. But I enjoy shooting it too much to let go of it. Sure is a sweet shooter!!

Sevens · February 14, 2013, 04:35 PM

Keep in mind that a revolver of this vintage is NOT spec'd for the slightly hotter .38 Special +P ammo on the market. Yours would enjoy lead bullet ammo.

I have a similar revolver that my Grandfather bought used in 1923. Mine is a 1921 build. My Grandfather was never any manner of a "gun person." As far as I know, he didn't do any hunting and wasn't any manner of a recreational shooter. He gifted me the revolver when I graduated high school. He was 90 years old at that time. He was 23 when he bought it (used) and he told me that he bought it back then "because a man should have a gun."

As was said, Smith & Wesson made (literally) millions of these revolvers. One that is as old as yours is desirable and has "value" but because of the volume of them they made, the only really high value ones are in very, very, VERY good condition. Yours sounds like a great gun to have and a fine gun to shoot but it probably doesn't have some enormous collector "value."

Sounds like it has a good home.

ScottRiqui · February 14, 2013, 06:50 PM

They're great guns - I have one from the late 1920's that's gone from my grandfather to my father and then to me. I've lost track of how many times I've used it to introduce a new shooter to the sport, and it's always a favorite.

February 13, 2013, 04:30 PM	#1
magicjack13 Junior Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 2	S&W 38 Special CTG I recently came into possession of a 38 S&W Special CTG. On the butt of the grip it has #434198 & when you open the cylinder you find the # 64556. It has about 80% of its bluing intact. Bore is smooth and clean. The gun exhibits no rust & shoots great! Can anyone give me an idea of when it was made and what it might be worth? Don't think I am going to get rid of it because it is great to shoot! Just wondering. Sorry I wasn't able to get my camera to work to post pictures.

February 13, 2013, 04:33 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	It sounds as if you have a Military & Police model S&W, a.k.a, a pre Model 10. A 400k serial number would put it some time in the 1930s, IIRC (don't have my reference books handy). .38 Special CTG is NOT the model, it's the cartridge that it fires. CTG is the abbreviation for cartridge. __________________ "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 14, 2013, 04:35 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Keep in mind that a revolver of this vintage is NOT spec'd for the slightly hotter .38 Special +P ammo on the market. Yours would enjoy lead bullet ammo. I have a similar revolver that my Grandfather bought used in 1923. Mine is a 1921 build. My Grandfather was never any manner of a "gun person." As far as I know, he didn't do any hunting and wasn't any manner of a recreational shooter. He gifted me the revolver when I graduated high school. He was 90 years old at that time. He was 23 when he bought it (used) and he told me that he bought it back then "because a man should have a gun." As was said, Smith & Wesson made (literally) millions of these revolvers. One that is as old as yours is desirable and has "value" but because of the volume of them they made, the only really high value ones are in very, very, VERY good condition. Yours sounds like a great gun to have and a fine gun to shoot but it probably doesn't have some enormous collector "value." Sounds like it has a good home. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 13, 2013, 09:40 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	An M&P #434xxx should date to the late 1920's. Value would depend almost totally on condition and originality, as they are quite common guns. Jim

February 14, 2013, 04:03 PM	#4
magicjack13 Junior Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 2	S&W 38 Special Thanks guys. That confirms what I had managed to scrounge up, but had been unsure of. Looks like value is about $300?. But I enjoy shooting it too much to let go of it. Sure is a sweet shooter!!

February 14, 2013, 06:50 PM	#6
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	They're great guns - I have one from the late 1920's that's gone from my grandfather to my father and then to me. I've lost track of how many times I've used it to introduce a new shooter to the sport, and it's always a favorite.