Help with aged police revolvers

GunHawke

Hell-o from the Sunny South [8D],

I was lucky enough to purchase retired police revolvers that I need help with identifying and/or aging. I have a S&W pre-model 10 or .38 M&P Ser. # C135XXX. Also, a Colt Cobra Ser. # 113XX. These are really nice guns although worn and seem to have been dedicated to police use, etc. If anyone can help identify them and where they came from I would appreciate it. The S&W has an I.D. #17541, probably the offier's I.D. # but not certain.
Thanks for any and all ideas/thoughts.

GunHawke

Jim

rufe-snow

Cobra dates to 1952, and the S & W to 1948.

mrs102

Regarding the Colt Cobra. If the XX ending of the serial number is LW then you have a 1950 model, the first year of production. If the XX are numbers followed by LW then its a 1952. The LW meant "lightweight" because the frame is an aluminum alloy. This pistol was manufactured with 2, 3, or 4 inch barrel, probably with a square grip; plastic grips with a medallion and could be blued or nickel plated. Calibers were 22LR, 32 Colt New Police, 38 Colt New Police, or 38 Special. They were made from 1950 to 1972 with variations in grip-frame shape and grip materials (plastic or wood).

If the seller did not know what police department they came from, and this is important information for you, you will probably have to make an inquiry to the Colt Firearms Co. for a historical letter. Based on the serial number, they will tell you the caliber, finish, etc and who they shipped it to from the factory (perhaps directly to a PD) and how many were in that particular shipment. The cost of the letter is around $75.00.