Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police (Pre-Model 10)

Serial Number: C304598

Year of Manufacture: 1948-1952

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single / Double Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder With Hand Ejector Revolver

Barrel Length: 4” Pinned

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade integral to a base forged to the barrel. The rear sight is a trough cut into the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are the factory original two-piece checkered walnut Magna stocks with “S&W” silver medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the escutcheons. The interior of the right grip panel is stamped with the serial number matching that of the revolver. There are some little dings, draglines, and scuffs. The most noticeable defects are on the bottoms. The checkering is strong with minimal wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is strong with very light edge wear. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. There is light oxidation on the grip frame. The barrel displays some little nicks and scuffs, mainly towards the front. The sides of the barrel at the muzzle have some finish loss. The edges display some thinning. The cylinder has a turnline that has thinned the finish and partially gone through it, there is a little finish lost in front of one of the timing notches. There are small spots of oxidation. There is another section of oxidation on the side-plate. There are some handling marks and faint draglines from use and storage. The screw heads are lightly tool-marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine Condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up well on each chamber with barely perceptible movement. The single action trigger is crisp and the double action is smooth. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The name Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with finely crafted American made firearms since 1852. In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced what would become the quintessential police handgun of the twentieth century, the K frame Military & Police chambered in .38 Special. With its solid frame carbon steel construction and 6-round capacity, it emerged as a symbol of simplicity, reliability, durability, and accuracy. Small improvements were made over the ensuing century, though the basic design remained much the same, and it’s still considered by many to be among the finest personal defense or police handguns ever made. After WW2, serial numbers for the Military & Police initially began with an “S” prefix, which was changed to a “C” prefix in 1948. In 1952, the front sight was changed from a round blade to a ramp, and in 1955, the upper sideplate screw was eliminated.

This Smith & Wesson Post-War 5-Screw .38 Military & Police was made between 1948-1952 and is in Fine Condition. It features a 4” barrel, 93% of its lustrous, original blued finish, with some strong case coloring on the hammer and trigger, serial-matching, elegant two-piece checkered walnut Magna grips with “S&W” silver medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the escutcheons, and a bright bore with strong rifling and very light edge wear. This is a beautiful Post-War 5-Screw Pre-Model 10 Military & Police, and if the collectors don’t pay enough attention, it might slip away.