Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers - Page 165

Radagast · April 6, 2012, 08:40 PM

mesinge2:
Your Model 49 Bodyguard was manufactured in 1981.

stantdm:
Your .38 Miitary & Police (Postwar) was manufactured between September 1945 (serial number S811120) & March 1948 (serial number S978924), the S stands for safety, see the notes about the hammer block safety in the above post. When civilian sales resumed the V prefix and US Property marks were dropped. Your gun is considered a transitional model, as it has the old pre-war 'long' action and wartime internal safety. It was replaced by the current 'short' action in 1950, which basically defined the Model 10 / .38 Military & Police for the next 60 years.
The numbers under the crane are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun was completed. If you take off the grips you will probably find more assembly numbers stamped on the flats of the frame.

Haywood:
S&W stamps serial numbers on the frames as they manufacture them. They record the date that the gun shipped from the factory, not the day it was manufactured. This makes sense for warranty reasons, as with some slow moving lines they may not sell for several years. For example the original .44 Double Action top break was catalogued until 1913, but all frames were made prior to 1898. More recently, in the 1980s some long barreled Model 66s have been recorded as shipping two years after their serial number range was used. This make sense as the then new Model 686 was the latest and greatest and was probably stealing sales from the 66 line.
S&W also do not believe in wasting spare parts. After pinned barrels and recessed cylinders were officially removed from the catalog S&W shipped some guns with pinned barrels and non recessed cylinders. They used up the old parts first.
So it distinctly possible that a gun or incomplete frame was kept in the factory as a sample for a number of years, then shipped out in 2000 when there was no longer a need for it.
Your dating from the SCSW is correct, based on the serial number and the frame type it should have a 1994 or 1995 manufacture date.

Haywood · April 6, 2012, 08:56 PM

Radagast, Thank You very much. I messed around trying to date this for days. Now I am satisfied. Comparing what you have said, Smith & Wesson C.S. and my book I am happy. Why I needed to know so bad, I don't Know. I have Three 442s and will look for more. I want every one I get to have something different in its makeup. Thank You again.

mesinge2 · April 6, 2012, 09:01 PM

Thanks again Radagast.

vpnavy · April 7, 2012, 03:14 AM

Radagast _ Thank you so very much for the information.

jframer · April 8, 2012, 01:03 PM

Radagast ... Thank you in advance for any information you can provide on the following J-Frames:

Model 36: #312xxx; 2" pinned barrel; square butt; flat latch.

Model 37 AIRWEIGHT: #J333xxx; 2" pinned barrel; square butt.

Model 36: #628xxx; 3" pinned barrel; round butt.

Stantdm · April 8, 2012, 04:52 PM

Radagast, thanks for taking the time to look that up. I appreciate knowing about this Smith.

Florey55 · April 9, 2012, 12:50 AM

Hey Radagast,

I have another S&W purchase from Germany that I need a DOB on.

It is a S&W 17-3, blued, 6" barrel and adjustable sights.

Serail no is 14K9210.

This is it here - http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=3748204

Radagast · April 9, 2012, 08:02 AM

Florey55:
Your Model 17-3 K22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1977.

jframer:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured between 1962 (serial number 295000) & 1966 (flat latch deleted). As production ran around 90,000 guns a year during that period, 1962 or early 1963 seems likely.

Your Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight was manufactured in 1975 or 1976. Serial range for those years was J250000 to J370000. So 1976 seems likely.

Your Model 36 Chiefs Special with a three inch barrel falls into the period 1962 to 1969. Serial range for those years was 295000 to 786544. If it is a heavy barrel Model 36-1, then 1967 to 1969. If it has a concave latch and tapered barrel then 1966 to 1969.

jboller4 · April 9, 2012, 07:35 PM

just got it home and was wondering what the year of birth was. sn: DCE75xx

fyi, it is in 22 magnum.

Radagast · April 9, 2012, 09:29 PM

jboller4:
Serial numbers in the Standard Catalog of S&W only go up to 2004 in the CTAxxxx range. Your gun is probably from the last couple of years, so a call to S&W customer service should give you a date - it will listed on the computerised records, not the old paper ones.

Sealevel · April 10, 2012, 07:59 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Radagast, would you date these latest acquisitions for me? Thanks, once again for your knowledge and assistance.

A..38 special
B. 4"
C. square
D. 6
E. fixed
F. 440446
G. M&P pre 10

A. .22LR
B. 6"
C. square
D. 6
E. adjustable
F. K245630
G. K22

Radagast · April 10, 2012, 08:59 PM

Sealevel:
Your .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured between December 1920 (358xxx) & 1927 (500xxx). Assuming an average of 20,000 guns a year, then 1924 seems likely.
Your K22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1955.

jboller4 · April 11, 2012, 09:35 AM

thanks Radagast for the info. will try the Customer Support folks. my problem is that my wife likes the little 22 mag.......

take care,

jimb

792mauser · April 11, 2012, 06:34 PM

I just recently purchased a 6" bbl 38 spl blued 6 shot model 14-3 adjustable rear sight. The serial number is 5k23xxx. Can you tell me approximately when it was manufactured?

Radagast · April 11, 2012, 09:22 PM

792mauser:
Your Model 14-3 K38 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1973.

792mauser · April 12, 2012, 03:18 AM

Thank you very much. The information is much appreciated.

bikemutt · April 14, 2012, 10:08 AM

I have a "new" S&W 28-2 I'd like to know when it was made.

s/n N-527679

Thank you.

Radagast · April 14, 2012, 01:20 PM

nikemutt:
The N5xxxxx serial range was used from 1978 to 1980, as your gun is early in that sequence, 1978 seems likely.

petepeterson · April 15, 2012, 08:23 AM

This is a great help to lazy Smith owners like myself. I wanna play! I have 3:

Model 10-5: #C715xxx; 2" pinned barrel; square butt.

Model 19-3: #2K8xxx; 4" P & R; square butt.

Model 28-2: #S288xxx; 6" pinned barrel; square butt.

Thanks for your help!

Radagast · April 16, 2012, 03:21 AM

petepeterson:
Your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel was manufactured between 1963 & 1965. Serial range for those years was C622700 to C810532. As your gun falls in the middle of that range, 1964 seems likely.

Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1970.

Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman was manufactured in 1967.

petepeterson · April 16, 2012, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the quick reply!

1madss · April 16, 2012, 03:04 PM

a) 357
b) 4"
c) square
d) 6
e) adjustable
f) n503xxx
g) 28-2

Edit: It looks like based on the response to Bikemutt that the N5XXXXX started in 1978 that my N503XXX would most likely be 1978.

Thanks

Radagast · April 17, 2012, 06:30 PM

1madss:
Yup.

dbreene · April 19, 2012, 06:47 PM

Trying to find out the model number aand year built for my revolver:

.38 S&W Special Ctg.
3" barrell length
rounded grips
6 shots
fixed sights
Serial Number J257330 from butt

Thanks for your help!

Radagast · April 19, 2012, 08:23 PM

dbreene:
Your Model 36-1 Chiefs Special Heavy barrel was manufactured in 1975.

April 6, 2012, 08:40 PM	#4101
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	mesinge2: Your Model 49 Bodyguard was manufactured in 1981. stantdm: Your .38 Miitary & Police (Postwar) was manufactured between September 1945 (serial number S811120) & March 1948 (serial number S978924), the S stands for safety, see the notes about the hammer block safety in the above post. When civilian sales resumed the V prefix and US Property marks were dropped. Your gun is considered a transitional model, as it has the old pre-war 'long' action and wartime internal safety. It was replaced by the current 'short' action in 1950, which basically defined the Model 10 / .38 Military & Police for the next 60 years. The numbers under the crane are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun was completed. If you take off the grips you will probably find more assembly numbers stamped on the flats of the frame. Haywood: S&W stamps serial numbers on the frames as they manufacture them. They record the date that the gun shipped from the factory, not the day it was manufactured. This makes sense for warranty reasons, as with some slow moving lines they may not sell for several years. For example the original .44 Double Action top break was catalogued until 1913, but all frames were made prior to 1898. More recently, in the 1980s some long barreled Model 66s have been recorded as shipping two years after their serial number range was used. This make sense as the then new Model 686 was the latest and greatest and was probably stealing sales from the 66 line. S&W also do not believe in wasting spare parts. After pinned barrels and recessed cylinders were officially removed from the catalog S&W shipped some guns with pinned barrels and non recessed cylinders. They used up the old parts first. So it distinctly possible that a gun or incomplete frame was kept in the factory as a sample for a number of years, then shipped out in 2000 when there was no longer a need for it. Your dating from the SCSW is correct, based on the serial number and the frame type it should have a 1994 or 1995 manufacture date. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy Last edited by Radagast; April 7, 2012 at 06:54 AM.

April 6, 2012, 08:56 PM	#4102
Haywood Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: N. Ohio Posts: 345	442 Age Radagast, Thank You very much. I messed around trying to date this for days. Now I am satisfied. Comparing what you have said, Smith & Wesson C.S. and my book I am happy. Why I needed to know so bad, I don't Know. I have Three 442s and will look for more. I want every one I get to have something different in its makeup. Thank You again.

April 6, 2012, 09:01 PM	#4103
mesinge2 Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,761	Thanks again Radagast. __________________ NRA Certified Instructor

April 9, 2012, 08:02 AM	#4108
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	Florey55: Your Model 17-3 K22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1977. jframer: Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured between 1962 (serial number 295000) & 1966 (flat latch deleted). As production ran around 90,000 guns a year during that period, 1962 or early 1963 seems likely. Your Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight was manufactured in 1975 or 1976. Serial range for those years was J250000 to J370000. So 1976 seems likely. Your Model 36 Chiefs Special with a three inch barrel falls into the period 1962 to 1969. Serial range for those years was 295000 to 786544. If it is a heavy barrel Model 36-1, then 1967 to 1969. If it has a concave latch and tapered barrel then 1966 to 1969. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 9, 2012, 07:35 PM	#4109
jboller4 Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Posts: 7	my new to me 351PD just got it home and was wondering what the year of birth was. sn: DCE75xx fyi, it is in 22 magnum.

April 7, 2012, 03:14 AM	#4104
vpnavy Member Join Date: April 6, 2012 Posts: 3	Radagast _ Thank you so very much for the information.

April 8, 2012, 01:03 PM	#4105
jframer Member Join Date: February 3, 2011 Posts: 3	Radagast ... Thank you in advance for any information you can provide on the following J-Frames: Model 36: #312xxx; 2" pinned barrel; square butt; flat latch. Model 37 AIRWEIGHT: #J333xxx; 2" pinned barrel; square butt. Model 36: #628xxx; 3" pinned barrel; round butt.

April 8, 2012, 04:52 PM	#4106
Stantdm Member Join Date: January 1, 2012 Posts: 75	Radagast, thanks for taking the time to look that up. I appreciate knowing about this Smith.

April 9, 2012, 12:50 AM	#4107
Florey55 Member Join Date: May 22, 2009 Posts: 13	Hey Radagast, I have another S&W purchase from Germany that I need a DOB on. It is a S&W 17-3, blued, 6" barrel and adjustable sights. Serail no is 14K9210. This is it here - http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=3748204

April 9, 2012, 09:29 PM	#4110
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	jboller4: Serial numbers in the Standard Catalog of S&W only go up to 2004 in the CTAxxxx range. Your gun is probably from the last couple of years, so a call to S&W customer service should give you a date - it will listed on the computerised records, not the old paper ones. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 10, 2012, 07:59 PM	#4111
Sealevel Member Join Date: July 15, 2011 Posts: 38	DOB PLease -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radagast, would you date these latest acquisitions for me? Thanks, once again for your knowledge and assistance. A..38 special B. 4" C. square D. 6 E. fixed F. 440446 G. M&P pre 10 A. .22LR B. 6" C. square D. 6 E. adjustable F. K245630 G. K22

April 10, 2012, 08:59 PM	#4112
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	Sealevel: Your .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured between December 1920 (358xxx) & 1927 (500xxx). Assuming an average of 20,000 guns a year, then 1924 seems likely. Your K22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1955. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 11, 2012, 09:35 AM	#4113
jboller4 Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Posts: 7	new to me 351PD thanks Radagast for the info. will try the Customer Support folks. my problem is that my wife likes the little 22 mag....... take care, jimb

April 11, 2012, 06:34 PM	#4114
792mauser Member Join Date: May 31, 2010 Posts: 18	I just recently purchased a 6" bbl 38 spl blued 6 shot model 14-3 adjustable rear sight. The serial number is 5k23xxx. Can you tell me approximately when it was manufactured?

April 11, 2012, 09:22 PM	#4115
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	792mauser: Your Model 14-3 K38 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1973. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 12, 2012, 03:18 AM	#4116
792mauser Member Join Date: May 31, 2010 Posts: 18	Thank you very much. The information is much appreciated.

April 14, 2012, 10:08 AM	#4117
bikemutt Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 1,977	28-2 DOB please I have a "new" S&W 28-2 I'd like to know when it was made. s/n N-527679 Thank you. __________________ They were just a bunch old dead white guys but they invented this country, and they meant what they said. The Second Amendment isn't about the National Guard or the police...It is about law-abiding, private U.S. citizens. Period. - Charlton Heston

April 14, 2012, 01:20 PM	#4118
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	nikemutt: The N5xxxxx serial range was used from 1978 to 1980, as your gun is early in that sequence, 1978 seems likely. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 15, 2012, 08:23 AM	#4119
petepeterson Member Join Date: April 15, 2012 Posts: 7	Birthdays? This is a great help to lazy Smith owners like myself. I wanna play! I have 3: Model 10-5: #C715xxx; 2" pinned barrel; square butt. Model 19-3: #2K8xxx; 4" P & R; square butt. Model 28-2: #S288xxx; 6" pinned barrel; square butt. Thanks for your help!

April 16, 2012, 03:21 AM	#4120
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	petepeterson: Your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel was manufactured between 1963 & 1965. Serial range for those years was C622700 to C810532. As your gun falls in the middle of that range, 1964 seems likely. Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1970. Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman was manufactured in 1967. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 16, 2012, 06:41 AM	#4121
petepeterson Member Join Date: April 15, 2012 Posts: 7	Thanks for the quick reply!

April 16, 2012, 03:04 PM	#4122
1madss Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 73	a) 357 b) 4" c) square d) 6 e) adjustable f) n503xxx g) 28-2 Edit: It looks like based on the response to Bikemutt that the N5XXXXX started in 1978 that my N503XXX would most likely be 1978. Thanks Last edited by 1madss; April 16, 2012 at 03:12 PM.

April 17, 2012, 06:30 PM	#4123
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	1madss: Yup. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

April 19, 2012, 08:23 PM	#4125
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,371	dbreene: Your Model 36-1 Chiefs Special Heavy barrel was manufactured in 1975. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy