You gun takes the .38 Special. Its original (and proper) name was ".38 Smith & Wesson Special" since Smith & Wesson introduced the first gun chambered for this cartridge, which differentiated it from the earlier ".38 Smith & Wesson". The .38 S&W Special will not interhange with the .38 S&W.
Smith & Wesson did not mark any revolvers "Secret Service Special." Exactly how is your revolver marked? sales@countrygunsmith.net
I have that same pistol and want to know where to get bullets for it ! .38 S&W special is the same as .38 special. Just avoid cartridges marked +P.
Question is too broad to answer. In general, use ammunition that is the same as the caliber or gauge marked on the firearm. If it is marked .38 Special, use only .38 Special- NOT .38 S&W, NOT .380. NOT .38 Super.
i dont know the age but i know the value its worth about 3 thousand if in good condition
Look on the barrel, it will be marked with the correct ammunition.
Smith & Wesson has made dozens of different revolvers chambered for the S&W.38 Special cartridge. In addition, there are hundreds of different revolvers that were not made by Smith & Weson but are marked with the exact wording from your question because they use the same ammunition. So your firearm could be: a) A cheap Saturday night special worth more as a boat anchor than as a gun. b) A custom-made one-of-a-kind worth several thousand dollars. or c) Somewhere between these extremes.
Look on the barrel, it will be marked as to the proper ammunition.
It is marked on the barrel.
It is marked on the slide.
The easiest way is to see what ammunition will chamber in it - there aren't many choices. If it is .22, it will be either .22 short or .22 Long Rifle. It may be a .32 short or .32 Long. If it is .38, it must be .38 Smith & Wesson (NOT .38 Special). If it isn't marked, it's likely a .22 something.
Should be marked on the barrel. If not, take it to a gunsmith.
It should be marked on the barrel.