Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[edearman]

a. 38 S & W
b. 5"
c. ROUND
d. 6
e. FIXED
f. V659933

[Radagast]

Edearman, you have a S&W victory model. These were usually a four inch barreled .38 special revolver based on the K frame, made between 1942 & 1944 in a serial range V1 to V769,000, when a change to the hammer design was implemented.

Many guns were made for the British Commonwealth under the lend lease scheme using the same serial range but chambered in .38-200 (.38 S&W) with a five inch barrel. I have read that some of these were re-imported into the USA and the cylinders bored to .38 special for resale. Check your pistol to see if the chambers have a slight taper at the extractor end, or if it has been overstamped to .38 S&W Special. If it is a conversion then it may bulge or split cases.

SCSW3 values as follows: ANIB $750, Exc $600, VG $425, Good $365, Fair $275, poor $135.

The victory model was built on the square butt frame, but with small grips by today's standards. If you have a genuine round butt gun then it us an oddity and may be worth more to a collector.

[waidmann]

a) .44 Special
b) 6 3/8" barrel (about)
c) Made In U.S.A. (only)
D) Serial # 309XX

Further question: Were bakelite grips used on N-frames? During what period?

Thanks, Waidmann

[Bodyguard429]

1. .38 Special 6-shot SN: S 8288xx

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2. .22MRF 6-shot Model 48-8 SN: 221k6xx

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3. .22MRF 6-shot Model 648 SN: BPB44xx

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4. .357 6-shot Magnum Model 686 SN: AUK39xx

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5. .357 6-shot Magnum Model 586 SN: AUR45xx

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6. 9mm Parabellum Model 659 SN: TBM45xx

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Thanks.

[Radagast]

Walderman: You should have a 1929 manufactured .44 hand ejector either 2nd or 3rd model. Both were built concurrently. Prices range from $200 (poor) to $4500 (NIB). Both came with checkered walnut stocks as standard. The 6.5 inch barrel was common on the second model, rare on the third model. Adjustable sights would add to the value.
If in excellent condition then you might want to post some pics at www.smith-wessonforum.com and let the experts check it out for you.

[Radagast]

Bodyguard 429:

Your first gun is a S&W military & police model of 1905 fourth change and falls in the serial number range manufactured 1940-1945, probably around 1942. It is effectively a commercial variant of the Victory model.

Your model 48 serial number fall in the range for manufacture in 1982 & should be a 48-4.

Re your 648 The BPD prefix dates to October 1993, I would guess your revolver is from a couple of months earlier.

Your 686 should date to late 1986 or early 1987, if it is a 686 no dash or 686-1 then it should have an M stamped beside the model no. If there is no M then the gun is subject to a S&W recall, you should contact S&W for more information.

Your 586 should date to early 1987. As with the 686, if it is a no dash or dash 1 model without an M overstamp then it is subject to a factory recall.

Your 659 was manufactured in 1988.

All of your firearms are fairly common and not that old, I suggest you check on www.gunbroker.com, www.gunsamerica.com and www.auctionarms.com to get a feel for current values.

[Oro]

Your first gun is a S&W military & police model of 1905 fourth change and falls in the serial number range manufactured 1940-1945, probably around 1942. It is effectively a commercial variant of the Victory model.

Almost. That is a post-war gun made in very late 1945, or more likely 1946. The serial number is in the end of the second million M&P handguns made. It's one of the very first civilian models made after war production was wound down. It's more accurate to say the Victory model was a military variant of the M&P, not the other way around. There have been about 3.25 million civilian models made, and about 0.75 million military models made during WWII, so the civilian model is really the "base" model.

That gun should have a pre-war style, long-action hammer, and a mix of pre-war and post war styles of grips, frame, etc. It's known as a "transition" model S&W. More pictures of this gun would be interesting.

[FredT]

Radagast, thank you for the info. I stand corrected on the bbl length of the 1905 .32-20, it is 5 inches.

[DDeegs]

I've had this for a while.
a .38
b 17/8"
c squ
d 5
e fixed
f mod. 36
g 6J40xx


Thanks
Dan

[HexHead]

I just got one today...
a) 38
b) 4"
c) square butt
d) 6
e) AFW6xxx
g) 10-7

[Radagast]

HexHead: The prefix AEV through to AFJ were used in November 1984, at a guess Your gun was made in December 1984.

DdDeegs Your model 36 was made after 1983, unfortunately the SCSW doesn't give more detail than that on the serial number range. If you can post the variant, ie 36-3, 36-4, I'll be able to narrow it down a bit.

[birdman]

I have a 19-3 s/n 2K798XX and a 27-2 s/n N8329XX. I'd appreciate knowing the mfg. dates.

[Radagast]

Birdman: your 19-3 should be from 1972. The N8xxxxx serial number range was used between 1980 & 1983. The 27-3 was introduced in 1982, so your 27-2 is most likely from 1980 or 1981.

[Joshuaw]

.357
6 shot
Snubby
Round Butt
Model 19-5
Blue
Adjustable Rear. Red Ramp front
ALC72xx


Thanks again.

Josh Wolf

[Oro]

That should be 1985. Funny, I have a 19-5 snubby from that year, too. Enjoy.

[vcs700s]

I just received a New In Box Model 36. I would like to know when it was born.

Here is the info.

a) .38 special
b) 2"
c) Round
d) 5
e) Standard, non-adjustable
f) 626722
g) M36

Thanks.

[Radagast]

vcs700s: Your J frame falls in the serial number range for 1962-1969 (265000 to 786544).
There was a change to the thumb piece in 1966, if your gun has a flat cylinder latch then it dates from 1966 or earlier. An as new in the box flat latch gun will have some collectors value.

[vcs700s]

No flat latch, so I assume it is 1966-1969.

Thanks for the info.

[hddeluxe]

I just added this one to the family:

a. .357Mag
b. 4"
c. Square
d. Six
e. Adjustable
f. BPA8670
g. 686-3

Thank you in advance.

[Radagast]

hddeluxe: the BNW prefix was used in March 1993. The BPD prefix was used in October 1993. Your 686-3 should fall within those dates.

[waidmann]

Another DOB please.
S&W Regulation Police 5 shot, .38 S&W
5 screw, non-medalion walnut grips, No"made in USA" on frame
slightly less than 4" barrel
SN# 30XX

Thanks Again

[stonecutter2]

a) .357 magnum
b) 2 1/2"
c) round butt
d) 6 shot/recessed cylinder
e) fixed front/adjustable rear
f) 91K1XXX
g) Model 19-4



Thank you very much for your time.

[skoro]

a) caliber
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips shape (round or square)
d) number of shots/cylinder bores
e) type of sights.
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip
g) Model number if it is under the crane.

a) 38 Spl
b) 4"
c) Square
d) 6
e) fixed
f) D5812XX
g) Model 64 (no dash)

Thanks!

[Radagast]

Waidmann: The .38 Regulation police serial number range 1 to 54474 covers the period 1917-1940. Serial numbers 47440-48127 shipped in January 1938, so your gun is earlier than this. At a guess I would put your gun around 1920, but that is only a guess.

Stonecutter2: Your gun falls in the serial number range for 1980, being 57k0001 to 91k6800. Quite late in 1980 seems likely. Nice pics by the way.

Skoro: Your gun falls in the serial number range D510001 to D659901 used 1973-1974. The 64-1 was introduced in 1972 with a heavy barrel, The pencil/standard barrel no dash was discontinued in 1973. Assuming yours is a standard barrel gun it is probably one of the last produced, sometime in 1973.

[skoro]

Radagast -

Many thanks!