[Blue2]

I don't know why I haven't found this forum earlier. After reading many of the interesting posts I figured I would jump in.

I am in possession of my Father's 38 S&W that he brought back from WWII. As the story goes he traded his Army 1911 for a Canadian officer's 38 S&W. Dad thought the 38 was easier to carry and would probably shoot more accurately.
He mailed it to me when I had to pistol qualify for the Marines in 1972. He was correct....I qualified Expert 3 times.

The question I have for this august group is how old is this weapon? The Serial number is 714655, 6 inch barrel and it shoots .38 S&W rounds. I'm not interested in selling it as it has some other interesting history from WWII. It will be passed down to my son in the Navy. But it would be nice to know what this piece might be worth.

Thanks for your time and all your interesting facts/stories.

 

[Blue2]

Oops. The pics didn't get on.
Here they are...…….

 

[K22]

S/N 7140xx shipped 11/1941. It was a .38SW as well. Looks to be in pretty good shape. To me it would be priceless.

 

[Blue2]

Thanks for your quick reply. It is priceless to me also.

 

[OzarkMarine]

I was still in the Marines in 72 and we could only qual with U.S. Gov Property 1911's.
Nice looking S&W revolver

 

[1stgensmith39-2]

Howdy from N Texas and welcome to the community.

 

[jimg11]

Hi Blue2,

A warm welcome to the forum.

Visit often.

 

[gunjunkie]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[Curt360]

Hi and welcome to the forum! Great revolver and one to cherish and pass on.

 

[mrerick]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for sharing your precious family heirloom.

 

[K22]

You might want to pull those stocks off and check to see if they have the s/n on the right panel. Also check to see if the strain screw is all the way in.

 

[Blue2]

You might want to pull those stocks off and check to see if they have the s/n on the right panel. Also check to see if the strain screw is all the way in.

Thanks K22. Strain screw is in all the way now. And the right side stock has the same serial number as the cylinder and bottom of the grip.

 

[TennSharpshooter]

Welcome to the forum from West Tennessee. Very nice gun. As has already been stated. Value.?? PRICELESS.

 

[Blue2]

I was still in the Marines in 72 and we could only qual with U.S. Gov Property 1911's.
Nice looking S&W revolver

OxzarkMarine,
I was a Marine Aviator and they issued us a snub nose S&W 38 Special. Hence the ability to qualify with the S&W 38 instead of the 1911. Thank goodness too.... because I've got my wife's uncle's WWII 1911 and after taking it to the range I don't think the results would have been the same.

 

[mrerick]

It looks a bit dry to me. Oil those steel surfaces under the grips, and use well oiled 0000 steel wool to gently remove active rust oxidation and stabilize the steel surface.

The action may need cleaning and proper lubrication as well. Keep preserving gun oil off the grips.

 

[OzarkMarine]

OxzarkMarine,
I was a Marine Aviator and they issued us a snub nose S&W 38 Special. Hence the ability to qualify with the S&W 38 instead of the 1911. Thank goodness too.... because I've got my wife's uncle's WWII 1911 and after taking it to the range I don't think the results would have been the same.

Well then, I'd better start calling you Sir.
Even though my uncle who enlisted in 1967 and had a Wing Wiper MOS (helos) told me that Marine Aviators didn't GAF if their maintenance chiefs, aircrew or even enlisted ground crewmen referred to them as sir or Joe.

Welcome aboard Blue2 from a 3516 Motor T Mechanic.
Semper Fi

 

[Blue2]

Well then, I'd better start calling you Sir.
Even though my uncle who enlisted in 1967 and had a Wing Wiper MOS (helos) told me that Marine Aviators didn't GAF if their maintenance chiefs, aircrew or even enlisted ground crewmen referred to them as sir or Joe.

Welcome aboard Blue2 from a 3516 Motor T Mechanic.
Semper Fi

Thank you. And your Uncle was absolutely correct! Those were the guys that made sure "their" jets (or helos, etc) were in tip top shape. And they just let us borrow them for a while. We were honored to serve with them.
Semper Fi

 

[blazermark]

interesting gun and story, very nice revolver. With the orginal grips and finish it does appear to have led a comparatively sheltered life.


That one doesnt have any post war export or commercial proofing that i can see, so it didnt follow the 'regular' path of many of these BSR's (british service revolvers) into private ownership. The lack of inspection/in service and such does seem to indicate another commonwealth service - Canada certainly likely.


thanks for sharing..

 

[WendyZXZ]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[ActiveShooter]

Greetings from the woods of New Hampshire