38 Revolvers - The Firearms Forum

johnboycoondog · 11-09-2009, 10:39 AM

My friend has a matched set of 38 S&W ctg revolvers. Seriel numbers: C 231431 and C 231111. Thes were purchased as a set, they are nikle plated with gold plated cyclinders. They have matched longhorn grips with the longhorn being on the outside of each revolver. The metal is worn from storage and use? The revolvers were purchased with aa double holster. Does anyone have anything on the history or value of these firearms?

RJay · 11-09-2009, 11:49 AM

First this is not a silly question, Who is the maker, S&W? All that 38 S&W CTG tells us is that it is chambered for the 38 S&W cartridge. Smith and Wesson serial numbers with a C prefix are 38 Specials?

Are they double action revolvers or single action " cowboy" type?

johnboycoondog · 11-10-2009, 12:14 PM

Sorry about that. These revolvers are made by Smith and Wesson and they are double action.

Claude Clay · 11-10-2009, 12:53 PM

asked & answered

next up--
care to explain police positive and pocket police and pocket protecter?

neilhikk · 02-03-2010, 09:57 AM

My father has a 38 S&W ctg, that is stamped on the right side of the barrel. On the left side of the barrel Smith and Wesson is stamped. Below the cylinder on the right side "Made in U.S.A." is stamped. Smith and Wesson trademark is stamped on the right side above grip. It has two piece wood grips and fixed sights on a solid ribbed barrel. The serial number is on the butt and is 253545. The finish is blue. Thats all I can tell ya for now and have no way at this time to send pictures, but can anyone give me any information about this pistol? I had asked about another pistol yesterday and received wonderful info about an old Iver Johnson and was hoping for the same luck today!!(wishful thinking). Thanks for the great forum guys and gals. By the way, it has a 2" barrel.

Neil

Alpo · 02-03-2010, 01:06 PM

By that serial number, it could be one of three guns.

Is it a break-top with a hammer?

A break-top without a hammer?

Or a swing-out cylinder 5-shooter?

neilhikk · 02-03-2010, 03:02 PM

It`s a break top without a hammer, and thanks for taking the time.

Neil

Alpo · 02-03-2010, 05:43 PM

Well, you have what Smith called the "New Departure" ('cause that hidden hammer and the grip safety were a radical departure from their normal gun) and the "Safety Hammerless" (which should be self-evident). Most folks call 'em "Lemon Squeezers".

Yours is a 5th Model, made between 1907 and 1940. Since they started the 5ths with 220000, and stopped 'em at 261495, I suspect your 253000 gun is from the mid to late 30s. That was waaaay into the smokeless powder era, so shooting modern factory ammo in your gun should be perfectly safe.

Lemon Squeezers usually go for between 1 and 4 hundred bucks, depending on condition. Yours might be worth a little more, though. Most of 'em were nickel. Yours is blue. That's rare. Most of 'em had hard rubber grips. Yours has wood. That's rare. Blue and wood together should be even more rare.

neilhikk · 02-03-2010, 06:36 PM

Alpo

I don`t know who you are, but thank you very, very much for your time and for sharing your knowledge. This old Smith has been in the family since it was new, it`ll never be sold, and will never be shot. I`m kinda funny that way, I`ve sold one pistol in my life and am regretting it still, I`ll never sell another firearm. Our guns range from an old Iver Johnson, the marlin Golden 39A, pre 64 model Win all the way up to the new Binelli SBE`s. Thanks again for the info.

Neil

11-09-2009, 10:39 AM	#1
johnboycoondog Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: BIG STONE GAP, VA Posts: 2	38 Revolvers My friend has a matched set of 38 S&W ctg revolvers. Seriel numbers: C 231431 and C 231111. Thes were purchased as a set, they are nikle plated with gold plated cyclinders. They have matched longhorn grips with the longhorn being on the outside of each revolver. The metal is worn from storage and use? The revolvers were purchased with aa double holster. Does anyone have anything on the history or value of these firearms? -->

11-09-2009, 11:49 AM	#2
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: 38 Revolvers First this is not a silly question, Who is the maker, S&W? All that 38 S&W CTG tells us is that it is chambered for the 38 S&W cartridge. Smith and Wesson serial numbers with a C prefix are 38 Specials? Are they double action revolvers or single action " cowboy" type? __________________ RonJames

11-10-2009, 12:14 PM	#3
johnboycoondog Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: BIG STONE GAP, VA Posts: 2	Re: 38 Revolvers Sorry about that. These revolvers are made by Smith and Wesson and they are double action.

11-10-2009, 12:53 PM	#4
Claude Clay V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 451	Re: 38 Revolvers asked & answered next up-- care to explain police positive and pocket police and pocket protecter?

02-03-2010, 09:57 AM	#5
neilhikk Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Re: 38 Revolvers My father has a 38 S&W ctg, that is stamped on the right side of the barrel. On the left side of the barrel Smith and Wesson is stamped. Below the cylinder on the right side "Made in U.S.A." is stamped. Smith and Wesson trademark is stamped on the right side above grip. It has two piece wood grips and fixed sights on a solid ribbed barrel. The serial number is on the butt and is 253545. The finish is blue. Thats all I can tell ya for now and have no way at this time to send pictures, but can anyone give me any information about this pistol? I had asked about another pistol yesterday and received wonderful info about an old Iver Johnson and was hoping for the same luck today!!(wishful thinking). Thanks for the great forum guys and gals. By the way, it has a 2" barrel. Neil Last edited by neilhikk; 02-03-2010 at 10:25 AM..

02-03-2010, 01:06 PM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 38 Revolvers By that serial number, it could be one of three guns. Is it a break-top with a hammer? A break-top without a hammer? Or a swing-out cylinder 5-shooter? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

02-03-2010, 03:02 PM	#7
neilhikk Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Re: 38 Revolvers It`s a break top without a hammer, and thanks for taking the time. Neil

02-03-2010, 05:43 PM	#8
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: 38 Revolvers Well, you have what Smith called the "New Departure" ('cause that hidden hammer and the grip safety were a radical departure from their normal gun) and the "Safety Hammerless" (which should be self-evident). Most folks call 'em "Lemon Squeezers". Yours is a 5th Model, made between 1907 and 1940. Since they started the 5ths with 220000, and stopped 'em at 261495, I suspect your 253000 gun is from the mid to late 30s. That was waaaay into the smokeless powder era, so shooting modern factory ammo in your gun should be perfectly safe. Lemon Squeezers usually go for between 1 and 4 hundred bucks, depending on condition. Yours might be worth a little more, though. Most of 'em were nickel. Yours is blue. That's rare. Most of 'em had hard rubber grips. Yours has wood. That's rare. Blue and wood together should be even more rare. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

02-03-2010, 06:36 PM	#9
neilhikk Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Re: 38 Revolvers Alpo I don`t know who you are, but thank you very, very much for your time and for sharing your knowledge. This old Smith has been in the family since it was new, it`ll never be sold, and will never be shot. I`m kinda funny that way, I`ve sold one pistol in my life and am regretting it still, I`ll never sell another firearm. Our guns range from an old Iver Johnson, the marlin Golden 39A, pre 64 model Win all the way up to the new Binelli SBE`s. Thanks again for the info. Neil