Help with info on S&W .38

[crzy_one]

Sorting through a few guns that my mother in law just inherited and I came across this Smith. I know nothing about old or for that matter new S&W revolvers and am struggling to learn about it. The person that brought it over said it was a model 10 and shot .38S&W and not .38 special. He was just the middle man and didn’t seem comfortable or familiar with firearms so it didn’t make me feel confident about the info. Googling it I kept coming to different conclusions and models…and couldn’t find another one with a similar serial #.

He also said to be careful “with a kick like that the broken grip is going to rip into your hand!”. I was unable to keep a straight face and might have made him mad lol.

There are a few other interesting guns that hopefully I will get to research and photograph

 

[baboon]

One of my neighbors just the other day asked me to look @ a Colt's Police Positive that was a .38 S&W. His gun was pretty rough, but considering it's age. I told him bring it over & we can soak it in a degreaser/cleaner I have. I told him it be nice to pull the grips & side plate & blow it out afterwards. Then the thought of a sonic cleaner came to mind.

 

[Geezer]

S&W started using Model numbers in 1957, this one was made before then. Looks like a 38/44 N frame.

 

[Mills]

That is a 38 special .
The .38 Special, also commonly known as .38 S&W Special (not to be confused with .38 S&W),

 

[Moonpie]

Smith & Wesson .38/44 - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Glenn B]

Moonpie has it right, it is a 38/44. The serial number range for them was about S75000 to S256133 as per the Blue Book of Gun Values.

 

[crzy_one]

Awesome I appreciate all the help! Certainly answered all my questions and more. There are 2 other revolvers…a 1963 Ruger Blackhawk .357 and an H&R 922 9-shot .22lr. Next it is time to sort a few long guns…surely will have questions on at least one of them that I will throw up on the rifle forum.

 

[Sam Colt]

Be nice to that Ruger. It’s a peach.

Ruger Blackhawk History - Whats So Special About the 3-Screw Blackhawk

The Ruger Blackhawk is one of the most popular revolvers on the market today. Collectors and revolver fans covet the old 3-screw Ruger Blackhawk, but why?

sportsmansvintagepress.com

 

[Moonpie]

Yep. That Ruger is a rarish one. If It were mine I’d have it professionally restored.
The grips on the 38/44 can be replaced easily enough for shooting purposes. Keep the originals as they’re probably numbered to the gun. I’d leave that one as is. Just clean and preserve.
The little H&R isn’t worth a whole lot. If you decide to shoot it stay with standard velocity ammo. Mini-mags, Stingers, or other HV ammo will beat it loose. Keep to the lower powered ammo and it’ll be fine.

Thanks for showing them to us.

 

[Sam Colt]

Do NOT return the Blackhawk to Ruger for restoration. They will perform the update and lower its value.

 

[Geezer]

Awesome I appreciate all the help! Certainly answered all my questions and more. There are 2 other revolvers…a 1963 Ruger Blackhawk .357 and an H&R 922 9-shot .22lr. Next it is time to sort a few long guns…surely will have questions on at least one of them that I will throw up on the rifle forum.

I have a matching .357 3 screw Blackhawk made in 1968. They are great guns and most of them were converted to the transfer bar safety.

 

[oohrah]

I have my grandfather's 1921 Colt "Banker's Special" and it does in fact shoot .38S&W. Whenever Isee it at a gun show, I buy it because it is hard to find.

 

[tonelar]

nice score… plus you can shoot 38 spl in the SW and Ruger

 

[Grumps21]

Be nice to that Ruger. It’s a peach.

Ruger Blackhawk History - Whats So Special About the 3-Screw Blackhawk

The Ruger Blackhawk is one of the most popular revolvers on the market today. Collectors and revolver fans covet the old 3-screw Ruger Blackhawk, but why?

sportsmansvintagepress.com

That was a good read. I learned something

 

[RevolverGuy]

The Smith numbers to 1947-48 production.

These guns were known to blow up. You should send to me for proper disposal.