Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[slawdog]

hello iv came across a smith and wesson lemon squeezer i had never heard of this gun befor. just trying to find out some info on it. and i hope im posting this right sorry if im not im a newbie. but its a 38. top break pearl handles and its in very good shape nickel plated no pits or any thing it actually looks new except a chip out of one of the grips on the butt of the gun other than that its in great shape . its got alot of dates across the top of the barrel but i guess the serial # would work better. the # is 125286 very cool looking gun. just wanting to get a ball park value i dont know alot about the older guns and there worth but i like this one but dont want to get burned on it there asking 400.00 THANKS and im glad i found the site its got a wealth of info here. glad to be a member now

[bandur60]

a) 32 LONG CTG
b) 4-1/4"
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed
f) 421xxx front of grip strap, no #s under grips, 57128 on frame under crane, same 57128 on crane itself

Looks nearly identical to pics in posts 3045 & 3048 except checkered wood grips, bottom of left grip is stamped PAT JUNE 5, 1917, and smaller (~3/8") S&W logo on left side of frame. Sights, barrel (pinned), ejector rod all similar. 4 screws right side plate.

Last year's Christmas present from my son.... What did I get? Any particular value? Not that I don't want it, just wondering.

[Radagast]

bandur60:
You have a pre-war .32 Regulation Police. the serial number is 421xxx, 57128 is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory, it has no meaning after the gun is completed. The patent date refers to the grips, which are a round butt to square butt conversion.
Unfortunately the Standard Catalog of S&W doesn't give a year to year serial number break down, the best I can give you is that it was made between 1917 (serial number 263001) & 1929 (serial number 509000).

[Radagast]

slawdog:
You are looking at a .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model manufactured between 1898 & 1907, serial range was 116003 to 220000. Also known as the New Departure or Lemon Squeezer, S&W did not advertise these guns as suitable for smokeless powder until around 1906.
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $400 in excellent condition, $500 in excellent+ and $600 for as new.

[Radagast]

samurai:
Your Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1984, serial numbers in the AEVxxxx range shipped in November of that year.
There is a recall in effect on this model, with some magnum ammo the primer could flow back into the firing pin bushing, locking up the cylinder. Under the recall S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing. If you want to have your gun modified call S&W and they will send you a shipping label.

[Radagast]

Bandur: Forgot to add, in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave the following values:
Good $275, Very Good $335, Excellent+ $450, As new in box $750.

Your gun predates the positve internal hammer block safety introduced after World War II. If dropped it could fire. If kept loaded leave the chamber under the hammer empty.

[chrt396]

Model 58
41 Magnum
4' barrel
Blued
Butt squared
SN - 387xx (under this number it says F26) ??

I originally thought that the "3"..was an "S". The more I look at it..it looks like a 3. DARN!!

[samurai]

Thanks for the info on the recall-I'll give them a call today.

[Radagast]

chrt396:
The numbers you are quoting from under the crane are assembly numbers. These were used to track parts in the factory and have no meaning after the gun is assembled. The serial number is found on the borttom of the grip frame. If you have target or aftermarket grips you will need to remove the grips to see the serial number. Post the serial number and I'll look up the year for you.

[sarge83]

Got a Jframe I need some help with:

Model 36
Serial# J3788XX

Anyone got a birthday for this one?

Thanks!

[Jeb21]

Thanks for the information!

[Phydeaux642]

Okay, I can't find my S&W book at the moment and I am trying to find a date on a friends gun. It's a five screw K38 Combat Masterpiece with serial #106xxx. Any help would be appreciated.

[AKMac]

1 - 357 Magnum
2 - 2 1/8"
3 - Round
4 - 5 bore
5 - Fixed
6 - CDJ07XX
7 - 60-9

Thanks

[Radagast]

AKMac:
Serial numbers in the CDJxxxx range shipped in March 1999.

Phydeaux642:
Assuming there is a K prefix to the serial number then your friends gun is from 1951. Serial range for that year was K104048 to K136690. If there is no K prefix then he is quoting you an assembly number from under the crane, the serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame.

sarge83:
Between 1962 & 1969. Serial range over that period was 295000 to 786544. There were a couple of design changes over that period that will help narrow it down:
If the cylinder release is flat, then 1962-1966. If the cylinder release is concave then 1966-1969.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the screw heads, then 1968 or earlier. If no uncheckered diamond, 1968-1969.

[Phydeaux642]

Assuming there is a K prefix to the serial number then your friends gun is from 1951. Serial range for that year was K104048 to K136690. If there is no K prefix then he is quoting you an assembly number from under the crane, the serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame.

No, it's the serial number. The K is way to the left of the actual numbers and I just forgot to include it. Thanks. Now, where in the heck did I put my S&W book?

[OnBase]

Thanks for the help. My first post here.

a) 38 spl
b) 1 7/8
c) round
d) 5 shot
e)nonadjustable
f)AYF74XX

[birdshooter]

.22lr
4"
Square
Adjustable
6K70XXX
18-3

Thanks!!

[Radagast]

birdshooter:
Your Model 18-3 K22 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1975.

OnBase:
Late 1987 or early 1988. Serial numbers in the AYWxxxx range shipped in December 1988. in the AYExxxx range in January 1988.

[sarge83]

.38 S&W Lemon Squeezer
2229XX
Any info?

Thanks!

[Radagast]

sarge83:
.38 Safety Hammerless 5th Model manufactured between 1907 & 1940 in the serial range 220000 to 261493, with sales falling off drastically in later years. The earlyier 4th Model averaged roughly 20,000 guns a year, so I'd guesstimate your gun is pre world war 1 & is probably from 1907/1908.
It should be safe to fire with modern smokeless .38 S&W ammo, S&W started advetising its guns as safe for smokelss around 1906/1907.

[bwleso]

Originally Posted by Radagast

sarge83:
.38 Safety Hammerless 5th Model manufactured between 1907 & 1940 in the serial range 220000 to 261493, with sales falling off drastically in later years. The earlyier 4th Model averaged roughly 20,000 guns a year, so I'd guesstimate your gun is pre world war 1 & is probably from 1907/1908.
It should be safe to fire with modern smokeless .38 S&W ammo, S&W started advetising its guns as safe for smokelss around 1906/1907.

Hi, found this site last nite while searching for info. on an old S&W I've owned for about 20 yrs.. Maybe you folks could help me with some real info..

Smith & Wesson
.38 S&W Special US Service CTG's (from reading here I understand this designation) left side of barrel, right side "springfield mass. etc...
6 shot
4" barrel
"1/2 moon" fixed front site, flat notched rear
round butt
plate on right side of revolver has 3 screws
Serial #72342
I believe this is an M&P
grips and finish non-original, person I purchased from stated it was found in rough condition so he stripped and parkerized.
Hope this is enough info. and thanks in advance for any info.
Bruce

[sarge83]

thanks! my Dad bought this old gun from a WWI vet in the early 1970's.

[Berg]

This was my (diseased) dad's. No one can remember when he bought it (new).

Serial: M 2104xx
Model 34-1

When I swing open the cylinder there is another number inside: 57274 and B8

It's a 6 shot .22lr

[Radagast]

Berg:
Your dad's Model 34-1 / Model of 1953 .22/.32 Kit Gun was manufactured in 1982. The -1 refers to the change to the J frame from the slightly smaller I frame. 57274 & B8 are assembly numbers used to track parts in the factory, they have no meaning after the gun is complete.

bwleso:
You have a .38 Mitary & Police Model of 1905, also known as the .38 Hand Ejector 3rd Model. It was manufactured in 1905 or 1906, serial range for those years was 62450 to 73250, so 1906 seems likely. This was the first 5 screw model, there should be 4 in the side plate (one covered by the grips) and one in the frame in front of the trigger guard.
Original grips would have been checkered hard rubber or checkered walnut.
.38 US Service CTG was S&Ws designation for the .38 Long Colt.
Your gun predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard velocity lead ammo, no jacketed, semi jacketed, PlusP or +P+ ammo. The additional pressure associated with these could damage the gun.
It also lacks the modern hammer block safety. Leave the chamber under te hammer empty, otherwise if dropped the gun could fire.
In non original condition the value is not great. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $235 in good condition.

[bwleso]

very much for the info.. when looking at the SN Ihad a feeling that it was old. Thanks for the verification. I was offered $200 for it yesterday but for about the equal of 2 fill-ups for the car I didn't even consider it! As well you are right about the screws, just had to look for them. I even have the original grips, I think.You wouldn't know appx. cost to have S&W bring the piece back to original condition by any chance?

Have a great day and thanks again...