Need info on a old smith and wesson .38

[daleboy]

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]

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


Willie


.

 

[daleboy]

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

 

[laytonj1]

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]

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

 

[RJay]

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

 

[daleboy]

Thanks guys, 1948 is correct.

 

[daleboy]

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

 

[Winchester_73]

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]

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

 

[boa2]

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