Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[highorder]

It's not old, or special, but I would like to know!


a) .38 S&W Special
b) 4"
c) round
d) 6
e) fixed
f) CHR 5292
g) 10-14

[Radagast]

highorder: Late 2004 or early 2005. My guess is 2004.

[sarge83]

Found another gorgeous pre-model 10 five screw, snubbie serial 5699##* there is what looks like a * at the end of the numbers. Any ideas on the birthday? Thanks in advance and for the last look up as well!

[Radagast]

sarge83:
A star stamped after the serial number (not an asterisk) means a factory rework at some time.
If its an asterisk then I don't know what it signifies.
You have a .38 Military & Police model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930. Serial range for those years was 500000 to 630000, so If I had to guess I would say 1929.

[sarge83]

I meant a star just couldn't find a symbol for the star on my keyboard.

Interesting a factory rework. I didn't know that. I appreciate the info!

[788Ham]

S&W 38-44, 4" bbl., 6 shot, rnd butt, blued. when made? Thanks!

[nighhawk]

Mod.13-4 bhf967x 4"bull barrel, square butt k-frame what can you tell me about this gun. year of manufacture.?

[Radagast]

788ham:
The .38-44 Heavy Duty with fixed sights & the .38-44 Outdoorsman with adjustable sights were manufactured from 1930 to 1966. All were produced on a square butt frame.
I'll need the serial number to give you a year.

nighthawk:
Your Model 13-4 .357 Magnum Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1991.

[uriel]

Hi. I just bought a no-lock 638, black, with this marking: CCH 4924. Is this a model in the 2000's or earlier?

[Radagast]

uriel: That serial number dates to late 1997 or early 1998.
The 638-2 .38 Bodyguard Airweight Stainless on the J Magnum frame was manufactured from 1996 to 2002. The 638-1 on the .38 special frame was produced from 1989 to 1996. If you have a .38 special frame then its one of the last ones produced.

[wrs840]

Model 36-1, .38sp, 3" heavy bbl, blued, fixed sights. s.n. J8580xx

Thanks for your help in Advance Radagast !

[Radagast]

wrs840:
Your Model 36-1 Chiefs Special Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1981.

[slimpickens]

S&W 696--- Serial # CBT 77**
.44 special caliber five shot
three inch barrel full lug
stainless
red tip front sight, adjustable rear
Uncle Mike factory grips

[shinerjohn]

a) .38 S&W SPL.
b) 1 7/8"
c) round butt
d) 5 shot
e) fixed sights
f) BAE279X
g) MOD. 60

[wlewisiii]

Went crazy at the pawn shop and put a new toy on layaway.

a) .45 Colt
b) 4"
c) Didn't check. It'll need some Ahrend's though...
d) 6
e) adjustable
f) CJJ3330
g) 625-9 "Mountain Gun"

[Radagast]

wlewisiii:
Serial ranges in the Standard Catalog of S&W run up to 2004. Your gun was made after that date. There were limited runs of the 629-4 mountain gun in 2006 & 2008. Based on the rate of serial number take up in the years leading up to 2004 I would expect the CJJxxxx range to have been used in 2006. So my guesstimate is 2006.

shinerjohn:
Your Model 60 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured in 1988.

slimpickens:
Your Model 696 .44 Special L Frame Stainless was in 1996 or 1997. This model was introduced in December 1996 with serial numbers starting at CBS2xxx.
My guess is an early to mid 1997 shipping date.

[shinerjohn]

Thanks, Bryan.

[wlewisiii]

Near enough to brand new then. The pawn broker says it's only had one previous owner (little old lady, only drove it on Sundays, etc ) but you know how that goes.

Thanks!

[slimpickens]

Thank you, radagast. Slimpickens

[bdb benzino]

38 spl
1 7/8"
round butt
5 shot
fixed sights
839xx
24539

Thanks in advance!

[Radagast]

bdb benzino
You have an early Chiefs Special manufactured between 1957 & 1959. In 1957 the Chiefs Special was designated the Model 36.

[Fireatwill]

Thanks for any help.
38 spec
1 7/8"
Round butt
5 shot
fixed sights
AWCXXXX
Marked MOD 36 no following numbers
Thanks again Will

[Woodlander]

Would anyone be able to identify this gun from these pictures ?





the marking on top of the barrel is :
"SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS USA PAT'D JAN 24.65
JULY 11.65 AUG 24.69 REISSUE JULY 25.71 MAY 11.80 JAN 3.82"

The serial number is 88 98X.

Thanks for any help.

[Radagast]

Woodlander;
It is a .32 Double Action 4th Model between 1883 & 1898 in the serial range 43406 & 209301. Assuming a fairly constant rate of manufacture, that places your gun around 1897.
Things to know:
Caliber is .32 S&W, not .32 S&W Long.
It is an antique under Federal law and not subject to the same restrictions for interstate sales as modern firearms.
If the hammer is down the firing pin will be resting on the primer of the cartridge. Don't do this, leave the chamber under the hammer empty. Otherwise if dropped it could fire.
The gun is designed for black powder cartridges, it is not made of modern steel. Modern ammo is manufactured to the same pressure levels as the old black powder rounds, but has a much faster burn rate and hence a rapid pressure spike. Shooting modern ammo will result in in rapid wear.
It appears to be unfired, so value may be in the $450 to $600 range. I suggest you check recent online auction results to get a better feel for this. The case is probably aftermarket, but if period correct will also add value.

[Radagast]

Fireatwill:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1987.