Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Katigroszek]

Thanks a lot!

[Maj Dad]

Picked up a M13-3 HB through Gunbroker, started at $350, got it for $400. Started thinking I paid too much, then it got today and it looked new, save for very slight cylinder ring. No blue loss, no scratches, no nada, just a Pachmayr grip insted of the S&W wood grips. I wonder if it was fired more than a few times, it's that clean. Really wanted a 3", but this is nice enough to hold me for a while... But, wondering when it was born, here's the beef:

a) .357 Mag
b) 4" HB
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) fixed sights
f) SN AZL 4145
g) Mod 13-3

[Radagast]

Maj Dad:
Your Model 13-3 .357 Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1988.

[Guillermo]

radagast

it sure is nice of you to constantly look up this information for folks.

I don't know how many thank you as you should be, but you have helped me out on numerous occasions and i REALLY appreciate it.

[Radagast]

Thanks mate. Most posters do reply with a thank you, The High Road does tend to attract respectful, well mannered people. Also I enjoy doing it, I get to learn about classy firearms, many of which will never make it to my country; and I enjoy helping fellow gunnies. I've been a range officer, range committee member, IPSC state secretary, rifle club captain, pistol club secretary, club trainer and a gun lobby member at the state and federal ministerial levels here in Australia. I get more thanks in this thread overall and as a percentage of people helped than I ever did in any of my other rolls.

I should also congratulate you on your self control. I thought you would go ballistic at my suggestion the other day that I would drill and tap a '68 Model 28. You didn't even bite.

[Guillermo]

You didn't even bite.

A lot has been going on, I am off my game

Besides, it was a 28, not a 27

BTW,

If I buy Australia I am going to ask you to be Secretary of Defense.

[lindy]

Thanks in advance
a) .38 Spl
b) 5 Inches
c) Square Butt, Diamond checked, No Medalion
d) 6 shot
e) Factory Adjustable
f) 5821X
g) None

Good Shooting

Lindy

[Radagast]

lindy:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1902 1st Change manufactured in 1903 or 1904. Serial range for those years was 33804 to 62449, so 1904 seems probable.
The first square butt guns appeared around serial number 58,000, so yours quite likely belongs to the first batch of square butt guns. The square butt no medallion grips were made 1904 to 1910, so they are probably original. The serial number can usually be found on the inside left grip panel if you wish to confirm this.
Adjustable (target) sights are fairly rare, the Standard Catalog of S&W mentions this can double or triple the value to a collector.

[iamtomstone]

A) 357
B) 4 inch
C) square
D) 6 shot
E) Adjustable
F) BRM68xx
G) 19-7

[Curleyg]

A .32
B 4.5"
C round
D 6
E fixed
F 326258 on fore strap
G 49095 in cylinder housing

S&W trademark left side
Pat. June 5 1917 on Butt
Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass
Patented Feb 8, 08. Sept 14, 09. Dec 29, 14 on top of barrel.
32 Long CTG on right side of barrel.
Smith & Wesson on left side of barrel.
S/n also under barrel.
Of interest is crossed feathers on top of both grips. Maybe a military unit insignia?
Grips are walnut w/crosshatch pattern.
Thanks

[Maj Dad]

radagast

it sure is nice of you to constantly look up this information for folks.

I don't know how many thank you as you should be, but you have helped me out on numerous occasions and i REALLY appreciate it.

A hearty +1 on Guillermo's kudos - you have helped me a half-dozen times at least, and if I didn't thank you then, you're a fair dinkum mate, & I'd be proud to buy you a longneck if you ever lob in to Sumter, SC (or if ever make I make it downunder)
Cheers,
George J.

[Radagast]

Maj Dad:
If I ever visit I'll have to bring a .500 X frame with me so I can proclaim that's not a S&W - _this_ is a S&W.

Curlyg:
You have a .32 Regulation Police manufactured between 1917 (serial number 260000) & October 1923 ( serial number 379160). Unfortunately the Standard Catalog of S&W does not give a year by year break down for that model.
Patent date on the grips is for the grips - they are a special round butt to sqaure butt conversion.
49095 is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory.
I'm not aware of the source of the feather markings. If you start a new thread and post some pics you may get an answer.

iamtomstone:
Your Model 19-7 .357 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1994.

[Curleyg]

Radagast,

Thanks so much for the info. I'll take your advice and start a new thread with pics. Thanks again.

[walkindude]

Can I get a DOB on a 686,no dash, 4"barrel, adjustable sights, six shot. Serial number AFS-83xx
Thanks !

[Workhorse]

If someone can help with a D.O.B on this one I would appreciate it very much...Thanks
A) .357
B) 2.5"
C) Round butt
D) 6
E) Adj.
F) 8K651XX
G) 19-3

[thomaskm]

DOB on grandads pistol would be much appreciated.
A) 32
B) 3.5
C) Flat
D) 5
E) fixed
F) 182353 (on butt) NO other numbers

Barrel stamped < 32 S. & W. CTG > on left side
on top of barrel ridge * smith & wesson springfield mass USA

Nifty feature is the grip safety bar.
This pistol has no trigger guard and I see no evidence of one being missing?
The ivory looking grips have a gold tone S&W insignia insert on each side.
THANK YOU!

[Lawr1165]

A.) 38
B.) 4"
C.) square
D.) 6
E.) fixed
F.) C 233497
G.) ??

Thanks for any help!

[Radagast]

Lawr1165:
If .38 S&W Special, then you have a .38 Military & Police Postwar (pre-model 10) manufactured in 1953.
If .38 S&W (not special) then you have a .38/200 Military & Police. These were mainly for sale in the British Empire.
If .38 S&W Special but with an alloy frame (try a magnet) then it is a .38 Military & Police Airweight. These have an KA aluminum frame which is slightly narrower than the steel K frame and aftermarket grips may not fit.
If an airweight and the cylinder is also aluminum it should not be shot, instead find a collector willing to buy it and buy two shootable guns with the money.

thomaskm:
If original then the grips are probably real ivory or mother of pearl and may be worth as much as or more than the gun. Start a new thread with pics if you want them evaluated.
The grip safety & serial number indicate you have a .32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model, often called a lemon squeezer or New Departure. Yours was manufactured between 1909 (serial number 170000) & 1915 (serial number 205477). Based on roughly 6000 guns a year, 1910 seems likely.
Your gun should be safe to shoot with modern factory ammo, S&W started advertising these as safe for smokeless powder around 1906/7.
These guns definitely had a trigger guard.
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...spx?catid=8049 has them for sale.

Workhorse:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1975.

walkindude:
Your Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in late 1984. There is a recall on this model. With some magnum ammo the primer can flow back into the firing pin bushing, locking up the gun. Under the recall S&W will pay shipping both ways and install an new firing pin and bushing. If your gun has been modified there will be an M stamp near the model number under the crane. If not, and you want to have the gun modified, call S&W and they will send you a shipping label.

[walkindude]

Thanks Radagast ! It has been back to the factory for the modification. Much appreciated !

[Workhorse]

Thanks Radagast, I really appreciate your help and knowledge...Thanks again.

[Railrunner85]

Smith 29-2 Serial N312*** 4 inch nickle, It is target everyting, Square grips. As always thanks Rada

[Grunti39]

a) .357
b) 6"
c) square grips
d) 6 shot
e) adjustable sights
f) N876xx
g) S&W 28-2

photo:

[Grunti39]

a) .38 spec.
b) 4"
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed
f) D7593xx
g) 64-1 Stainless

[bikemutt]

Hi Radagast,

I have a nice 27-2 nickel gun with a 5 digit serial number N9720x, wondering when she was born?

Thanks.

[Radagast]

bikemutt:
Your Model 27-2 was manufactured in between 1969 & 1972. The serial range for those years was N1 to N99999, so late 1972 seems almost certain for your gun.

Grunti39:
As mentioned above, your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman fits into a four year serial range. I'd guesstimate late 1971 or early 1972 for your gun.
Your Model 64-1 .38 Military & Police Stainless was manufactured in 1975.

Railrunner85:
The N3xxxxx range was used in 1975 & 1976 for the 'target everything' N frame models, the 'service' model 28 & 58 used the seperate N2xxxxx range. I'm fairly confidant that your gun dates to late 1975, though there is the chance that that its from early 1976.