want2bfast
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2009
- Messages
- 7
Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
![1113091557[1].jpg](/data/attachments/75/75273-0f9dc8031e20f351ac6df80b25f760cf.jpg)
Radagast
Member
want2befast: The caliber for the old top breaks was .32 Smith & Wesson. With the introduction of swing out cylinders the cartridge was stretched to make .32 S&W long, which will not chamber in a top break.
Your gun does not appear to be a S&W revolver, Both the back of the frame and the trigger appear to be the wrong shape. A picture with better lighting and resolution may help to identify it.
Many top breaks from the 1870s to the 1920s were manufactured by a variety of manufacturers and chambered for the S&W cartridges, some were high quality guns, others were made from iron and were the Saturday night specials of their day. Most were designed for black powder cartridges and firing modern smokeless cartridges will reduce their working life.
Your gun does not appear to be a S&W revolver, Both the back of the frame and the trigger appear to be the wrong shape. A picture with better lighting and resolution may help to identify it.
Many top breaks from the 1870s to the 1920s were manufactured by a variety of manufacturers and chambered for the S&W cartridges, some were high quality guns, others were made from iron and were the Saturday night specials of their day. Most were designed for black powder cartridges and firing modern smokeless cartridges will reduce their working life.
timgd
Member
date of birth
looking for info on a new treasure. appears to be s&w military& police in about 95% condition
1. 38 special
2. 5 in.
3. square
4. notch/blade
5. s990xxx
looking for info on a new treasure. appears to be s&w military& police in about 95% condition
1. 38 special
2. 5 in.
3. square
4. notch/blade
5. s990xxx
want2bfast
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2009
- Messages
- 7
that is very well true. I will take better pics later.
it does say on the top of the muzzle.
H. & R. ARMS Co
Worcester Mass.
it is a top break auto eject.
it does say on the top of the muzzle.
H. & R. ARMS Co
Worcester Mass.
it is a top break auto eject.
Last edited:
Radagast
Member
tingd:
Your gun is a post war .38 Military & Police revolver. These were made in the serial number range S811120 to S999999 between September 1945 & March 22 1948.
Per the Standard Catalog of S&W the new 'short action' with the shorter hammer throw was probably introduced at serial number S990184 on April 7 1948. I would guess your gun was made that month or even week.
And if your serial number is S990184 you may be sitting on a gold mine that a collector will sell his children to own.
Please post pics and let us know if your serial number is after S990184. If the gun has a long action hammer then the SCSW will need an update.
The SCSW gave a value of $300 in excellent condition, $265 in very good condition in 2006.
5 inches was a standard barrel length for that model. Grips should be checkered walnut with with a diamond around the grip screws and a S&W medallion. Finish could be blue or nickel.
Your gun is a post war .38 Military & Police revolver. These were made in the serial number range S811120 to S999999 between September 1945 & March 22 1948.
Per the Standard Catalog of S&W the new 'short action' with the shorter hammer throw was probably introduced at serial number S990184 on April 7 1948. I would guess your gun was made that month or even week.
And if your serial number is S990184 you may be sitting on a gold mine that a collector will sell his children to own.
Please post pics and let us know if your serial number is after S990184. If the gun has a long action hammer then the SCSW will need an update.
The SCSW gave a value of $300 in excellent condition, $265 in very good condition in 2006.
5 inches was a standard barrel length for that model. Grips should be checkered walnut with with a diamond around the grip screws and a S&W medallion. Finish could be blue or nickel.
Radagast
Member
want2befast:
Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Inc was based in Worcester Mas. from 1888 to 1973 and was one of the most prolific manufacturers of inexpensive firearms in America.
The only reference I have for them is Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, which does not list any of their hammerless models,
I suggest you start a new thread in the firearms research sub forum http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31 You may get a more knowledgeable response.
Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Inc was based in Worcester Mas. from 1888 to 1973 and was one of the most prolific manufacturers of inexpensive firearms in America.
The only reference I have for them is Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, which does not list any of their hammerless models,
I suggest you start a new thread in the firearms research sub forum http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31 You may get a more knowledgeable response.
timgd
Member
M&P
Radagast
The s/n is in the high 7 hundreds and the grips have been replaced with Pachmayr stag horn grips. I will check with the previous owner to see if he still has the grips somewhere. Thanks for your help. I have pictures but I have no clue how to get them from where they are to this post.
Radagast
The s/n is in the high 7 hundreds and the grips have been replaced with Pachmayr stag horn grips. I will check with the previous owner to see if he still has the grips somewhere. Thanks for your help. I have pictures but I have no clue how to get them from where they are to this post.
exdetsgt
Member
TIMGD:
If you took the pictures with a digital camera, upload them to your computer and stick them someplace where you can find them again, for example, most computers have a folder entitled "My Pictures."
Give them short names so you can find them easily. Take the photo you want to share and reduce it in file size to about 200KB and save it with a slightly different name, like SW2.
Then when you post here, you'll see a section just below where you are writing called "Manage Attachments." Click on that, and where it says "browse," click that, and you'll be looking at your computer files. Select SW2, then click upload, and that's that.
Hope this works.
If you took the pictures with a digital camera, upload them to your computer and stick them someplace where you can find them again, for example, most computers have a folder entitled "My Pictures."
Give them short names so you can find them easily. Take the photo you want to share and reduce it in file size to about 200KB and save it with a slightly different name, like SW2.
Then when you post here, you'll see a section just below where you are writing called "Manage Attachments." Click on that, and where it says "browse," click that, and you'll be looking at your computer files. Select SW2, then click upload, and that's that.
Hope this works.
timgd
Member
exdetsgt
I got all of it except reducing file size once more I'm clue less.
I got all of it except reducing file size once more I'm clue less.
Radagast
Member
timgd: I use a simple little program called imageshrink. It's free and you can download it here:
http://www.topshareware.com/Image-Shrink-download-40872.htm
http://www.topshareware.com/Image-Shrink-download-40872.htm
jad0110
Member
DOB request
S&W 13-3 .357 mag 3", s/n 9D983xx
S&W 13-3 .357 mag 3", s/n 9D983xx
This is, I guess, a rare one. I´m trying to convince a friend to sell to me. Besides it´s DOB I´d like to hear to your comments about it:
1.- .32 H&R Magnum
2.- 6 inch
3.- Square
4.- Adj. rear sight.
5.- BFE61xx
6.- 16-4
It´s got a mounted in hammer firing pin, a full lugged barrel (same as 686).
Thank you in advance.
1.- .32 H&R Magnum
2.- 6 inch
3.- Square
4.- Adj. rear sight.
5.- BFE61xx
6.- 16-4
It´s got a mounted in hammer firing pin, a full lugged barrel (same as 686).
Thank you in advance.
timgd
Member
exdetsgt
Member
timgd: Congrats, you did it! Second pic is a very nice shot of a very nice gun.
Radagast
Member
jad0110:
Your model 13-3.357 Magnum Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1982.
henry-ctc:
The Model 16-4 K32 Masterpiece was manufactured between 1989 & 1993, in barrel lengths of 4, 6 and 8&3/8 inches, with the six inch barrel being the most numerous. In total around 8800 were made.
The K32 in it's earlier variants was made from 1946 to 1974 and had a standard barrel profile to match the K22 & K38 made during that period. The 16-4 had a full lugged barrel to emulate the 617 and 686 in weight and feel.
The Standard Catalog of S&W in 2006 gave a value of $450 in very good condition, 675 in excellent and 800 for as new in box. I suggest you check Gunbroker and similar sights to see what the going rate is.
BEFxxxx dates your friends gun to between August and September 1989.
Your model 13-3.357 Magnum Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1982.
henry-ctc:
The Model 16-4 K32 Masterpiece was manufactured between 1989 & 1993, in barrel lengths of 4, 6 and 8&3/8 inches, with the six inch barrel being the most numerous. In total around 8800 were made.
The K32 in it's earlier variants was made from 1946 to 1974 and had a standard barrel profile to match the K22 & K38 made during that period. The 16-4 had a full lugged barrel to emulate the 617 and 686 in weight and feel.
The Standard Catalog of S&W in 2006 gave a value of $450 in very good condition, 675 in excellent and 800 for as new in box. I suggest you check Gunbroker and similar sights to see what the going rate is.
BEFxxxx dates your friends gun to between August and September 1989.
Radagast
Member
timgd: Thanks for posting the link. That is the old long action, so S&W were still assembling them after the supposed introduction of the new short action. That is an excellent gun. Congratulations on a nice find!
Ken
Ken
KJS
Member
.38 Special
4" barrel
c) grips shape (round or square) -- definitely looks square, but I'm a novice.
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: 82444 (I think that first number is an 8, though it could be a 9 -- not crystal clear on this gun)
g) Model number if it is under the crane: 10-6 (I know it's a model 10; have no clue as to what the "-6" is about, but certainly not the barrel length.)
This gun was bought by my late father for protection while living in a "bad neighborhood" prior to my birth. Given that they moved to a suburb with very low crime upon my birth in 1973 the gun would surely have to predate 1973. My best guess is that it was made in the 1968-1972 period.
If anyone is able to provide an more exact birth date, I thank you in advance for your help.
4" barrel
c) grips shape (round or square) -- definitely looks square, but I'm a novice.
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: 82444 (I think that first number is an 8, though it could be a 9 -- not crystal clear on this gun)
g) Model number if it is under the crane: 10-6 (I know it's a model 10; have no clue as to what the "-6" is about, but certainly not the barrel length.)
This gun was bought by my late father for protection while living in a "bad neighborhood" prior to my birth. Given that they moved to a suburb with very low crime upon my birth in 1973 the gun would surely have to predate 1973. My best guess is that it was made in the 1968-1972 period.
If anyone is able to provide an more exact birth date, I thank you in advance for your help.
Radagast
Member
KJS:
The use of -x after the model number showed a design change since the introduction of the model 10 in 1957. Prior to that it was known as the Military & Police revolver.
the 10-1 was the introduction of the heavy barrel version, the 10-6 was the deletion of the trigger guard screw on the the heavy barrel.
The 10-6 was manufactured from 1962 to 1977.
The serial number will be found on the butt of the gun and should have either a C or a D prefix to the number. If the number you have quoted is from inside the crane then it is probably an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory and not the serial number. If you have aftermarket grips or target grips then you may need to take them off to see the serial number.
The serial number can't be C82444 or C92444 as those numbers predate the 10-6.
If the serial number is D82444 or D92444 then it dates to 1968.
If the serial number is different, post it and I'll look it up.
The use of -x after the model number showed a design change since the introduction of the model 10 in 1957. Prior to that it was known as the Military & Police revolver.
the 10-1 was the introduction of the heavy barrel version, the 10-6 was the deletion of the trigger guard screw on the the heavy barrel.
The 10-6 was manufactured from 1962 to 1977.
The serial number will be found on the butt of the gun and should have either a C or a D prefix to the number. If the number you have quoted is from inside the crane then it is probably an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory and not the serial number. If you have aftermarket grips or target grips then you may need to take them off to see the serial number.
The serial number can't be C82444 or C92444 as those numbers predate the 10-6.
If the serial number is D82444 or D92444 then it dates to 1968.
If the serial number is different, post it and I'll look it up.
Radagast
Member
Magnum357:
4K9354 is the serial number and dates your gun to 1973.
48042 is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory and has no meaning after the gun is completed.
Your guns should be a model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless. Introduced in 1970, they continued in production until 2005.
The sights on your gun are stainless steel adjustable sights, in later variants of the model 66 these were changed to blued steel for the rear and a red ramp in the front.
There is a rather good range report here: http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=63
4K9354 is the serial number and dates your gun to 1973.
48042 is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory and has no meaning after the gun is completed.
Your guns should be a model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless. Introduced in 1970, they continued in production until 2005.
The sights on your gun are stainless steel adjustable sights, in later variants of the model 66 these were changed to blued steel for the rear and a red ramp in the front.
There is a rather good range report here: http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=63
cyclopsshooter
Member
a) 38sp
b)6 inch
c) square butt
d) six shot
e) adjustable target
f) 582XXX
g) pre war m&p ?
a) 22 short
b) 3 1/8 inch
c) square butt
d) 7 shot
e) tiny fixed... almost not there
f) 72918
g) 1st model 2nd issue
b)6 inch
c) square butt
d) six shot
e) adjustable target
f) 582XXX
g) pre war m&p ?
a) 22 short
b) 3 1/8 inch
c) square butt
d) 7 shot
e) tiny fixed... almost not there
f) 72918
g) 1st model 2nd issue
Dob x 2
I have two in question. thanks in advance, this is a great site.
a) .44 magnum
b) 6"
c) Hogue rubber monogrip
d) 6 shot
e) pinned, black serrated ramp front, white outline adj. rear
f) BDA94XX
g) M629-2
*) Unfluted cylinder, full lug barrel
second one is;
a) .41 magnum
b) 6"
c) Hogue rubber monogrip
d) 6 shot
e)pinned, black serrated ramp front, adj. rear
f)CAW81XX
g) 657-3
*) half-lug barrel
I have two in question. thanks in advance, this is a great site.
a) .44 magnum
b) 6"
c) Hogue rubber monogrip
d) 6 shot
e) pinned, black serrated ramp front, white outline adj. rear
f) BDA94XX
g) M629-2
*) Unfluted cylinder, full lug barrel
second one is;
a) .41 magnum
b) 6"
c) Hogue rubber monogrip
d) 6 shot
e)pinned, black serrated ramp front, adj. rear
f)CAW81XX
g) 657-3
*) half-lug barrel
Radagast
Member
69 Mustang:
Your Model 629-2 44 Magnum was manufactured between October 1988 & February 1989.
The later 6529-2E had the endurance package to deal with regular use of .44 magnum ammunition, so it may be wise to
The standard catalog of S&W doesn't mention an unfluted cylinder with the six inch barrel, so yours may be unusual.
Your 657-3 dates to between January & September 1996.
Cyclopsshooter:
You have a target variant of the .38 Military and Police Model of 1905 4th change, manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
Your Model No 1 2nd Issue was manufactured between 1860 & 1868, the SCSW doesn't give more data than that.
Your Model 629-2 44 Magnum was manufactured between October 1988 & February 1989.
The later 6529-2E had the endurance package to deal with regular use of .44 magnum ammunition, so it may be wise to
The standard catalog of S&W doesn't mention an unfluted cylinder with the six inch barrel, so yours may be unusual.
Your 657-3 dates to between January & September 1996.
Cyclopsshooter:
You have a target variant of the .38 Military and Police Model of 1905 4th change, manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
Your Model No 1 2nd Issue was manufactured between 1860 & 1868, the SCSW doesn't give more data than that.
bob9125
Member
I would appreciate any information about the age, model and value of this revolver. This is a revolver that my 84 y/o father-in-law inherited from his father:
a>.38 spec
b>2" barrel
c>Pearl grips. Flat on bottom about an inch and a half front to rear (Round ?)
d>6 shot
e>fixed blade on front (round), groove at rear
f>144673 followed by a star
g>no indication of model. S & W is stamped on right hand side of revolver below the hammer and is Smith & Wesson is on the left side of the barrel
This gun is nickel plated. The gun shows substantial flaking of nickel around hammer and trigger.
a>.38 spec
b>2" barrel
c>Pearl grips. Flat on bottom about an inch and a half front to rear (Round ?)
d>6 shot
e>fixed blade on front (round), groove at rear
f>144673 followed by a star
g>no indication of model. S & W is stamped on right hand side of revolver below the hammer and is Smith & Wesson is on the left side of the barrel
This gun is nickel plated. The gun shows substantial flaking of nickel around hammer and trigger.
Radagast,
many thanks for taking the time. in doing so, you also helped me figure out how the serial numbers are listed in "The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson" that I just picked up.
It's people like you that continue to make this site what it is....AWESOME!
many thanks for taking the time. in doing so, you also helped me figure out how the serial numbers are listed in "The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson" that I just picked up.
It's people like you that continue to make this site what it is....AWESOME!
