Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police 4th Change (Pre-Model 10) 4" Blued Revolver – C-Prefix 1955 Production
This Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police 4th Change revolver represents the post-war “Pre-Model 10” era, produced in 1955 during the C-prefix serial run. Built on the classic five-screw K-frame, it features a pinned, tapered 4-inch barrel, factory blued finish, and original walnut diamond Magna grips. Collectors value this model as the direct ancestor of the Model 10—the most-produced revolver in history—making well-preserved examples like this one increasingly hard to find.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Some marks and scratches are present on the blued surfaces, and the front face of the cylinder shows light carbon scoring.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police 4th Change revolver
- Factory walnut diamond Magna grips (installed)
This revolver is built on Smith & Wesson’s robust K-frame, featuring the desirable five-screw pattern used before the company switched to a four-screw frame in 1957. The added side-plate screw under the grip gives collectors an unmistakable marker of early post-war manufacture.
The pinned, tapered 4-inch barrel is made from carbon steel and retains clear caliber and manufacturer markings. Its profile balances well in the hand, a trait that helped cement the Military & Police line as a mainstay for law enforcement worldwide.
A blued carbon-steel frame, cylinder, and barrel provide a traditional finish, complemented by color-case-hardened wide-spur hammer and smooth combat-width trigger. These details reflect the production standards of the mid-1950s and add subtle visual contrast.
Original square-butt walnut diamond Magna grips remain in place, offering era-correct checkering and fit. Combined with fixed iron sights—a serrated half-moon front and square-notch rear—this revolver maintains the practical configuration that served service officers for decades.