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I have a 38 special that I am wanting to get info on. What year, and model ? Wife got this for me from my father in law. I would like to put wood grips on it but I don't know what to oreder.
I have a 38 special that I am wanting to get info on. What year, and model ? Wife got this for me from my father in law. I would like to put wood grips on it but I don't know what to oreder. View attachment 489960 View attachment 489961 View attachment 489962 View attachment 489963 View attachment 489964 View attachment 489965
View attachment 489966I have a 38 special that I am wanting to get info on. What year, and model ? Wife got this for me from my father in law. I would like to put wood grips on it but I don't know what to oreder. View attachment 489960 View attachment 489961 View attachment 489962 View attachment 489963 View attachment 489964 View attachment 489965
Thank you so much for all the info. After reading this I think I will leave the grips on it.Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Congratulations on receiving a S&W .38 Military & Police revolver from your father-in-law. The gun shipped in 1950/51 and is commonly called a pre-Model 10 in the collector community. S&W implemented model numbers in 1958. Your gun is the most produced handgun in history with about 7 million being made since 1899. It is built on the mid-sized K frame and any grips made for K/L frame, square butt revolvers will work. It originally came with magnas, a picture of which is below. The pearl grips on it are aftermarket but quite valuable. I estimate you could sell them for $150 to $200 easily. But, since your FIL gave them to you, you might want to retain them when you want to dress the ol' girl up. Hope that helps!
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These magnas are called "sharp shouldered" in the collector community because of the pronounced ridge at the rounded top of the grip where it meets the frame knuckle. They are also termed "diamond magnas" due to the diamond around the escutcheon. In the rear, they will have a black or blue washer that holds the medallion on. These are the grips that you should buy if you want to return the gun to its original configuration. They can be quite pricey at around $150. Frankly, I prefer target grips that enclose the grip frame and make target shooting easier. But, YMMV. What I'm saying is you are not constrained to the diamond magnas. There is a wide selection of grips for your gun. OH, forgot to mention the grip adapter that is on my M&P snub. That's the black piece between the trigger guard and the grip frame. Grip adapters were created to provide a grip that is more suitable for shooting accuracy and they work basically like a target grip. They are an inexpensive way to improve the grip with existing factory panels. They clip on under the wooden panels and don't require any modifications to the grip frame. The adapter shown is a Tyler T but there are other manufacturers like Pachmayr that make similar versions. The Tyler T is a top notch metal adapter and will cost more than others that are plastic.
It probably shipped in Oct 1941.I too received a smith &wesson 38 special. My pistol came from my great uncle that I was named after. My serial number is 841084. It came with the pearl grips so I appreciate some background on when this pistol would have shipped.
Ok. I will try to upload some pics on a different thread. Thank youIt probably shipped in Oct 1941.
Thank you very much. I will try to post some pics on a new thread now that I have a better understanding of it’s ageWelcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Please post a new thread with pictures in the 1847 to 1945 forum. Your gun was made before WWII. Probably 1940 or 41.
I too received a smith &wesson 38 special. My pistol came from my great uncle that I was named after. My serial number is 841084. It came with the pearl grips so I appreciate some background on when this pistol would have shipped.