Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
jimbo555
Member
Radagast
Member
mavracer:
Your Model 52-2 was manufactured in 1978 or 1979. Serial range for those years was A475991 to 565000, So if I had to guess I would say 1979.
jimbo555:
It could be either. The 1st change and 2nd change shared the serial range 73251 to 146899, manufactured between 1906 & 1909.
The only potential difference noted in the Standard Catalog of S&W is that the 2nd Change had two dowel pins in the extractor star.
Your Model 52-2 was manufactured in 1978 or 1979. Serial range for those years was A475991 to 565000, So if I had to guess I would say 1979.
jimbo555:
It could be either. The 1st change and 2nd change shared the serial range 73251 to 146899, manufactured between 1906 & 1909.
The only potential difference noted in the Standard Catalog of S&W is that the 2nd Change had two dowel pins in the extractor star.
jimbo555
Member
Thank you Radagast,I should pick it up at the lgs today and I'll check the dowels.
DonP
Member
a) caliber - .357 Magnum
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 6 inch
c) grips shape (round or square) Square - checkered wood
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - adjustable
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip AYL00XX
g) Model number if it is under the crane. 686-1 with an M stamp
Any assistance is always appreciated.
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 6 inch
c) grips shape (round or square) Square - checkered wood
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - adjustable
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip AYL00XX
g) Model number if it is under the crane. 686-1 with an M stamp
Any assistance is always appreciated.
Radagast
Member
DonP:
Your Model 686-1 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1987. The M stamp indicates it has been modified under a product recall.
Your Model 686-1 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1987. The M stamp indicates it has been modified under a product recall.
jackstrr
Member
newmember here
Have a a) S&W 357 mag
b) 4" bbl
c) square checkered wood
d) 6 shot
e) adjustable rear
f) 2K80575
g) 19-3
Have a a) S&W 357 mag
b) 4" bbl
c) square checkered wood
d) 6 shot
e) adjustable rear
f) 2K80575
g) 19-3
Radagast
Member
jackstrr:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1972.
If you are new to shooting the Model 19 then the following article may be of use to you.
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1972.
If you are new to shooting the Model 19 then the following article may be of use to you.
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm
jackstrr
Member
thanks for the imfo. went to the site you recomended..great imfo. thanks again.
Radagast
Member
fredg:
Your Model 10-8 .38 Military & Police heavy barrel was manufactured in 1982.
Your Model 10-8 .38 Military & Police heavy barrel was manufactured in 1982.
thefresh2o
Member
S&w 38 m&p
Gidday Radagast,
I have recently acquired a nice, old revolver. I'd appreciate her DOB. All matching numbers - including the grips. Just need to find some brass.
a) 38 S&W
b) 5" BBL
c) Square
d) 6
e) fixed
f) 856471
g) no model - just assembly no under crane
Gidday Radagast,
I have recently acquired a nice, old revolver. I'd appreciate her DOB. All matching numbers - including the grips. Just need to find some brass.
a) 38 S&W
b) 5" BBL
c) Square
d) 6
e) fixed
f) 856471
g) no model - just assembly no under crane
Last edited:
Radagast
Member
thefresh2o:
Greetings from Mordor. How's the weather in the Shire?
My Kiwi mates are talking of going home due to the ease of owning fun toys compared to this benighted land. Maybe I should emigrate. *sigh*
Anyway, you have a .38/200 British Service Revolver, probably manufactured under commercial contract by S&W in 1940 or 1941. If it lacks US Property markings then it predates Lend Lease, so before March 1941. The .38/200 is a .38 S&W chambering of the .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, the original K frame .38 special. These were manufactured for British & Commonwealth governments during WWII.
Greetings from Mordor. How's the weather in the Shire?
My Kiwi mates are talking of going home due to the ease of owning fun toys compared to this benighted land. Maybe I should emigrate. *sigh*
Anyway, you have a .38/200 British Service Revolver, probably manufactured under commercial contract by S&W in 1940 or 1941. If it lacks US Property markings then it predates Lend Lease, so before March 1941. The .38/200 is a .38 S&W chambering of the .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, the original K frame .38 special. These were manufactured for British & Commonwealth governments during WWII.
thefresh2o
Member
Radagast,
The weather is... inclement.
A clubmate has just returned home to the lucky country - I think he's had to leave his Kimber behind (the hole in the pointy end is too big?) and is a little sad on that. At least he's got his wheelguns to cuddle.
Interesting on the 38. She's blued and has diamond checkered stocks with a lanyard ring. No "property of" stamp. No british proofs. 38/200 is still 38S&W case? 38 S&W CTG is rollmarked on the barrel.
The weather is... inclement.
A clubmate has just returned home to the lucky country - I think he's had to leave his Kimber behind (the hole in the pointy end is too big?) and is a little sad on that. At least he's got his wheelguns to cuddle.
Interesting on the 38. She's blued and has diamond checkered stocks with a lanyard ring. No "property of" stamp. No british proofs. 38/200 is still 38S&W case? 38 S&W CTG is rollmarked on the barrel.
thefresh2o
Member
Radagast,
The weather is... inclement. White stuff has fallen recently.
A clubmate has just returned home to the lucky country - I think he's had to leave his Kimber behind (the hole in the pointy end is too big, or something?) and is a little sad on that. At least he's got his wheelguns to cuddle.
Interesting on the 38, thanks again. She's blued and has diamond checkered stocks with a lanyard ring. No "property of" stamp. No british proofs. 38/200 is still 38S&W case? 38 S&W CTG is rollmarked on the barrel.
The weather is... inclement. White stuff has fallen recently.
A clubmate has just returned home to the lucky country - I think he's had to leave his Kimber behind (the hole in the pointy end is too big, or something?) and is a little sad on that. At least he's got his wheelguns to cuddle.
Interesting on the 38, thanks again. She's blued and has diamond checkered stocks with a lanyard ring. No "property of" stamp. No british proofs. 38/200 is still 38S&W case? 38 S&W CTG is rollmarked on the barrel.
Radagast
Member
The British .380 Revolver case is an exact copy of the .38 S&W.
The British .380 service load was originally a 200 grain lead pill, hence .38/200. The poms later went to a 178 grain FMJ.
The BSR was reportedly the result of S&W failing to deliver on a semi auto 9mm rifle design, they offered revolvers instead of a refund, being basically broke at the end of the depression.
Enfield couldn't supply enough guns during WWII, so the offer was accepted and in the end around three quarters of a million S&Ws were supplied.
Yours is in the correct serial range, its possible it was sent direct to a Commonwealth country and never issued, hence no acceptance marks.
Commercial 145 grain ammo or surplus Commonwealth ammo will be safe in your gun. Any hand load in a reloading manual, ditto. Apart from some the .38 S&W Ruger Speed Six variant, its probably the strongest .38 S&W made.
It lacks a positive internal hammer block, so treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
Edit to add. Lanyard ring is correct, that was part of the spec. the Diamond grips appear to be pre-1936 commercial style.
The British .380 service load was originally a 200 grain lead pill, hence .38/200. The poms later went to a 178 grain FMJ.
The BSR was reportedly the result of S&W failing to deliver on a semi auto 9mm rifle design, they offered revolvers instead of a refund, being basically broke at the end of the depression.
Enfield couldn't supply enough guns during WWII, so the offer was accepted and in the end around three quarters of a million S&Ws were supplied.
Yours is in the correct serial range, its possible it was sent direct to a Commonwealth country and never issued, hence no acceptance marks.
Commercial 145 grain ammo or surplus Commonwealth ammo will be safe in your gun. Any hand load in a reloading manual, ditto. Apart from some the .38 S&W Ruger Speed Six variant, its probably the strongest .38 S&W made.
It lacks a positive internal hammer block, so treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
Edit to add. Lanyard ring is correct, that was part of the spec. the Diamond grips appear to be pre-1936 commercial style.
Last edited:
Radagast
Member
Completely off topic, white stuff falling from the sky. I know its a feature, but it should be considered a bug.
thefresh2o
Member
Fount of knowledge. Thanks for that information, Radagast.
Once I get some brass, I will load a soft target load for Classic Service Match (NRA-styles for the confused Americans) @2gr Bullseye and whatever projectile I can find that fits. I don't cast & it's hard to find something at @ .360... Need to slug the barrel and chambers first.
Re: White stuff. Don't know about bug - it makes the hills look awful purty.
Where abouts on the West Isle do you live?
Once I get some brass, I will load a soft target load for Classic Service Match (NRA-styles for the confused Americans) @2gr Bullseye and whatever projectile I can find that fits. I don't cast & it's hard to find something at @ .360... Need to slug the barrel and chambers first.
Re: White stuff. Don't know about bug - it makes the hills look awful purty.
Where abouts on the West Isle do you live?
Radagast
Member
Sydney.
You know the OZ constitution lists NZ as the second state after NSW? At any time your parliament can ratify it and double the number of gun owners in Australia.
Don't be that stupid though!
You know the OZ constitution lists NZ as the second state after NSW? At any time your parliament can ratify it and double the number of gun owners in Australia.
Don't be that stupid though!
thefresh2o
Member
Haven't been to Seedney since the Olympics.... 2000.
Yep - NZ is definitely the lucky country when it comes to firearms laws in the region.
Anyway - I understand Julia Gillard's protection cops are now classifying both salami and vegemite sandwiches as concealed weapons.
It's a dangerous world out there. Glad I'm packing heat... Ham & Cheese.
Yep - NZ is definitely the lucky country when it comes to firearms laws in the region.
Anyway - I understand Julia Gillard's protection cops are now classifying both salami and vegemite sandwiches as concealed weapons.
It's a dangerous world out there. Glad I'm packing heat... Ham & Cheese.
Radagast
Member
koss: This is my 3385th post. 
Your Model 60 .38 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured in the period 1974 to 1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000. If I had to guesstimate, I would say your gun was made in late 1976 or early 1977.
There are no known issues with that gun, it should handle any commercial .38 special ammo. If you want aftermarket grips, the frame is the round butt J frame.
thefresh2o:
She doesn't need a security detail, no one will touch her, it would spoil the pleasure of voting her out at the election.
Your Model 60 .38 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured in the period 1974 to 1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000. If I had to guesstimate, I would say your gun was made in late 1976 or early 1977.
There are no known issues with that gun, it should handle any commercial .38 special ammo. If you want aftermarket grips, the frame is the round butt J frame.
thefresh2o:
She doesn't need a security detail, no one will touch her, it would spoil the pleasure of voting her out at the election.
Old Shooter
Member
Picked this one up a few years back (used) and was always curious about the DOB and the "no dash" aspect.
a- .38 spl
b- 1-7/8"
c- round butt
d- 5 shots
e- fixed sights
f- AYP2348
g- Model 36 (nickel finish, no dash number but appears to be a newer gun)
a- .38 spl
b- 1-7/8"
c- round butt
d- 5 shots
e- fixed sights
f- AYP2348
g- Model 36 (nickel finish, no dash number but appears to be a newer gun)
