Need Help With Inherited .38 S&W Special

R

rockerpanels

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Readily admitting that I'm oblivious to what I have here, or pistols in general for that matter, I need your help figuring out more about a .38 S&W Special I recently inherited.

The pistol, shown at the links listed below, is a Smith & Wesson .38 S&W Special, made in The USA, "patented Feb. 6. 06. Sept. 14. 09. Dec. 29. 14"

I don't know really anything about the gun other than the family stories of it. The etched logo and grip are lightly worn from what I assume was being holstered so often.

Anyway, I'd like to know anything about the gun you might be able to tell me, and what kind of ammunition it needs. I tried inserting .38 special rounds in it, but they wouldn't fit.

Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks!

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rvm1OjP
 
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It's. 38 S&W, not the later 38 Special. The round is about half the length.

Perfectly adequate cartridge for self defense, buy a hundred bucks of ammo and a cleaning kit.

The round was also British Army issue for WWII and is still used in the Commonwealth for police forces.
 
I agree with JohnMoses. Does it say .38 S&W CTG. on the right side of the barrel? Pictures and at least the first few digits of the serial number will help in the identification. You can block out the last few digits of the serial number if you so desire.
 
It says, "38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG." on the right side of the barrel. I have tested the links and they have worked on every attempt for me, so I don't know what the problem with them might be. I don't know any other way to post the photos.
 
It says, "38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG."
Click to expand...

Yeah, I caught that, too, when I READ your post.

And your pics aren't working for me, either, but those in another thread didn't work also, so I suspect it is a forum website problem for now.
 
"I tried inserting .38 special rounds in it, but they wouldn't fit."
and
"It says, "38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG." on the right side of the barrel."

Do not compute.
Awaiting pictures.
 
The gun isn't worn from re-holstering. It has been heavily buffed and nickel plated.
Are you sure you are trying to use .38 special, and not .38 super?
 
I'm trying to use .38 special ammunition, and the cartridges won't fit. Maybe I need .38 S&W, and not .38 special, but I haven't been able to find any .38 S&W ammo.
 
I am unable to see any pictures of it but from what I have read so far it sounds like it is a 38 S&W that has had the barrel replaced with a 38 S&W Special barrel. The 38 S&W Special was the original designation for the 38 Special cartridge since S&W developed the cartridge.
 
The patent dates indicate it is a Smith & Wesson M&P, Model 1905, Fourth change, which should be in .38 Special. But some later guns of the same basic model were made in .38 S&W for our WWII allies, and cylinders would swap.

As to the finish, it looks like that gun was polished at some time and chrome (not nickel) plated, something that was not done at the factory. It might be a good idea to avoid trying to load or fire it until you can get a better handle on just what it is and what might have been done to it.

If the serial number is 670xxx, it definitely began as a .38 Special, dating to 1937-1938.

Jim
 
I could see the first pictures, but I couldn't make any of the markings. The print on the side of the barrel, .38 S&W special ctg., was normal on Military and Police revolvers; which is what you have. It was an abbreviation for .38 Smith and Wesson Special Cartridge, now simply called .38 special. I may have an idea or ideas why you are having trouble seating .38 special cartridges. First, are the chambers clean? There could be massive fouling buildup. Be sure then chambers are shiny and smooth. The other possibility that occurred to me relates to personal experience. The chambers may simply be really tight. I have a gun just slightly younger than yours, and some rounds will not easily chamber in it that just fall in all my other guns. But, I agree that it would be best to have someone that is familiar with old revolvers inspect it before shooting.
 
@.38SPL enthusiast and others, thanks for the information so far. If you have anything more to add, please do so, as I still am very unsure about the gun.

I did shine a light in the chambers, from both ends, and they appear pretty smooth and clean.

If anyone is having trouble seeing the photos, I'll be glad to email them to you, if you're interested.

I really would like to be able to fire the gun, just to make sure it's in good working order and to see how it shoots. To me, the gun is a family keepsake, and I think it's really a beautiful weapon, regardless of its commonality. After shooting it a time or two, I intend to retire it and maybe even frame it for viewing; I just want to learn as much about it as possible.

Thanks again!
 
LOL! I see one really big problem: You are loading the rounds into the chamber UNDER the extractor. The extractor must be flush with the end of the cylinder BEFORE you load those cartridges.
 
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