information on Smith and Wesson Revolver

[.227]

I have a friend with 2 Smith & Wesson revolvers both are stamped 38 S&W special on the barrel. I dont see anything else but patent #s. 1 looks to have a 4 inch barrel and the other a 5. looking to find out about what they might be worth and being stamped 38 S&W special does it shhot 38 special or 38 S&W not sure I know the difference if there is any but i have heard of a 38S&W cartridge.
Thanks for any and all comments and help.

 

[chad]

Post pictures if you can..

 

[.227]

pics added

 

[chad]

I think the .38 SW Special was the original cartridge with has a slightly different diameter and shorter then what we now know of as .38 special. But I may be thinking of the .38 SW, and the .38 SW Special may be the exact same thing as .38 special. If it is I still wouldn't shoot and +P in those. And if they don't have models it may be before Smith started using model numbers.
Paging Adam!

 

[Leadfoot]

That is a pre-model 10.

It shoots .38 Specials.

 

[Skiney]

That is a pre-model 10.

It shoots .38 Specials.

Isn't it past your bedtime Sir:}

 

[Leadfoot]

I'm in bed, Sir.

 

[dwr461]

38 S&W is a different cartridge than 38 S&W Special. 38 S&W is shorter and a slightly larger caliber than 38 S&W Special. Back in the day Colt wouldn't put S&W on ANY of their weapons. So the 38 S&W became the 38 Colt New Police and 38 S&W Special became 38 Special. Effectually the name became 38 special to everyone including S&W. Dropping the S&W from the 38 Special moniker also reduced confusion.

Dave

 

[smith625]

Indeed. And that foolishness continues to this day. You won't ever see "S&W" on the side of a Glock slide (or some other brands)... the caliber designation is ".40 Auto" or simply ".40".

HK, of course, has no such feelings of inferiority...

.

H&K ? LOL....Frigging Krauts..

 

[S&W4ME]

38 S&W is a different cartridge than 38 S&W Special. 38 S&W is shorter and a slightly larger caliber than 38 S&W Special. Back in the day Colt wouldn't put S&W on ANY of their weapons. So the 38 S&W became the 38 Colt New Police and 38 S&W Special became 38 Special. Effectually the name became 38 special to everyone including S&W. Dropping the S&W from the 38 Special moniker also reduced confusion.

Dave

In late on this one but yeah what he said