Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Oro]

predator20, that would be 1982. An early 586 or 686 is a very sweet gun.

There is no M stamp anywhere so it hasn't been sent back for the recall. Thanks.

Don't worry about that unless it actually locks up when firing (it cannot harm the gun). The recall was a very large net to catch a very few affected guns - I would wager most of the guns affected by the recall have not been modified. S&W will always take it back and do it if you want - I'd wait to see if it really needs it, or wait until it needs a free trip to the factory for some other reason.

[Radagast]

predator20:
The 586 was introduced in June 1980 at serial number AAA000x and continued in production until 1999.
Your revolver was probably produced sometime between October 1982 (serial number AAF9000) & December 1982 (serial number ABL3999).

[predator20]

Don't worry about that unless it actually locks up when firing (it cannot harm the gun). The recall was a very large net to catch a very few affected guns - I would wager most of the guns affected by the recall have not been modified. S&W will always take it back and do it if you want - I'd wait to see if it really needs it, or wait until it needs a free trip to the factory for some other reason.

I haven't had a problem with it. I have shot around 100 to 150 rounds through it. It had never been fired until I bought it. Unless they gave it the best cylinder face cleaning job, I've seen.

Thanks Oro & Radagast.

Here is an auction pic with the original target stocks. I now have factory combats on it. Looking to get a matching blued brother in the future.

[Radagast]

Very nice. Nickel was a factory option, but I've never seen one. I would guess they were pretty rare due to the availability of the stainless steel 686.

[Oro]

preadator20,

I like that quite a bit. Thanks for sharing the photo. I want to find an early nickel 586 and blue 586 to go with my 686. I love the 4" L frame quite a lot. I haven't been looking for a few months, maybe I should start again. I also like your choice in stocks. The factory combats on the square butt are my 2nd favorite next to plain targets. You might want to try them out, too. Here's my 4" 686 with the presentation plain targets off a Texas Ranger commemorative:

[predator20]

Radagest, I was originally looking for a blued version. Didn't know about the nickel. Even though it's a pain to keep clean, I love it.

Oro, I've seen the prices range from 400 to 500+. Wasn't no more than 15 minutes after this one putting in watch list, someone used the BIN. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=125879819
Nice looking 686, I like the smooth targets too.

[Oro]

Wasn't no more than 15 minutes after this one putting in watch list, someone used the BIN.

Whoa, wish I had seen that one. Thanks for motivating my morning and me heading to the gun show early...!

[S&W Frontier]

[FONT="Arial Black"[/FONT]new to this thread..

we found a smith & wesson revolver..
believe it is a frontier double action
.44
6inch barrel
round sight
6 shot
fixed site
with serial number 15625 on the bullet chamber
and the grip
i can send pictures..
can someone please verify we are on the right track
that this revolver was made in 1916 but that is about as far
as we have found out..
not sure of its worth>>$$$$
but perhaps someone can give us a ball park
thanks for your time
frontier

[Radagast]

S&W Frontier:
I am assuming the gun is a top break.

The .44 Double Action Frontier serial number range ended at 15340, with all frames made prior to 1899, although it remained in the catalog until 1913, per the standard catalog of S&W. The caliber was .44-40.

There were copies made during WW1 in Spain that were sold to the British army as they couldn't keep up with demand using their normal contacts. If the gun is marked 1916 it may be one of these, in which case it is not particularly valuable.

The .44 Double Action in .44 Russian had a serial number range from 1 to 54668, so it may be one of these. Again, all frames were made prior to 1899, but the gun was cataloged until 1913. Values can vary a lot, form $285 for a poor condition gun to $6500 for as new.

Pics would be very helpful in estimating value and in verifying which model your gun is.

[S&W Frontier]

thanks for your reply..
just on the road will get picture out to you asap..it is break top..
but no other markings except the serial number and the S&W Dates on the 6 inch barrel it says smith and wesson spring field mass. usa patd jan 65 july 11 65 aug 24 69 july 25 71 to dec 2 may 11 of 25 1880..so no mark 1916..
going home will download picture shortly...thanks kindly

[S&W Frontier]

hi..here are the attachements for the S&W revolver..sure would appreciate any help you can give to us..regarding this revolver..
and its dob and value..

[Radagast]

Ok, you have a 44 Double Action 1st Model. Caliber is .44 Russian. The grips are not original, they should be hard rubber, not timber & S&W did not use cabinet screws to fit grips. It appears that the original finish was nickel, much of which has worn off. It would probably be classified as in Fair condition to Good condition, with a value in 2006 of $385-$500, per the Standard catalog of S&W. The period holster may be worth a decent sum, especially if it has a recognized makers mark.

Check out http://www.armchairgunshow.com/ for prices realized recently.

[S&W Frontier]

thanks Radagast..may we call you "R"....lol
there are no markings on the period holster that we can see..but i will do further study perhaps on its value...you wouldn;t know where to lead me down the garden path of period holsters??? if not..i thank you kindly for you time and your kindness.

[Radagast]

No clue on the holster, start a new thread in the firearms research section, or check out www.smith-wessonforum.com

[trickyasafox]

Hi all- curious when my Smith was born

a-caliber- 38 special
b-bbl length 1 7/8 (barrel is pinned)
c- not sure how to tell square or round butt
d- 5 shot ( NOT recessed)
e- fixed sights
f- J150xxx
g- Model 36-

any of you guys have an idea? My mother has a new 637 j frame, and her grips do not fit, which makes me think its a square butt, but I have no idea.

thanks!

[Radagast]

trickyasafox: 1973-1974. Serial number range for that period was J100000 to J250000. Re the grips, best way of looking at it is that on a round butt the grip backstrap curves inwards, on a square butt it flares out.

[trickyasafox]

thanks much for the help Radagast

[joesmo]

a) .38 Special
b) 1-7/8
c) I think square but the corners are rounded (wood)
d) 5
e) fixed sights
f) 580236
g) 51380

Any help appreciated.

[Radagast]

joesmo: It looks like you have a J frame S&W Chiefs Special or Model 36, The model number should be stamped on the frame under the crane, visible when the cylinder is open. Otherwise it may be a model 37, the Aluminium framed Airweight variant.

Serial number 580236 falls into the range for the period 1962-1969, being 295000 to 786544. The grips lack the uncheckered diamond around the grip screw, so if the grips are original to the gun then it dates from 1968 or 1969, but, if the cylinder release is flat rather than angled, (I can't really tell from the photo) then it dates from 1966 or earlier.

[joesmo]

AFTER EDIT; Checked, it is stamped Mod 36
----
when I open the cylinder, the number stamped on that pivoting part holding the cylinder is 51380, there was something stamped under it, I will recheck it when I can.

Appreciate the help.

[snuffy33]

A good 1st post.

a) .22LR
b) 4"
c) square
d) 6 shots
e) adj. sights
f) M118xxx
g) Model 63 - no dash

[rcetnar]

Brian: Here's the info that you request for DOB. I have gun #1 and #2. Thanks in advance. rcetnar

Gun #1.
a) caliber - 357 Mag
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 6"
c) grips shape (round or square) - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6 shot
e) type of sights. - Fixed front, Adjustable rear.
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - AWM1xxx
g) Model number if it is under the crane. - M686-1
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder).

Gun #2.
a) caliber - 38 Special CTG
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 3"
c) grips shape (round or square) - Round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 5 shot
e) type of sights. - Fixed front and rear.
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - 989xx
g) Model number if it is under the crane. - Mod 36
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder).

[Tom Schafer]

Smith & Wesson .357 Mag
5" Barrel
Square Butt
6 Shot
Adjustable Sights
Model 19-3
Serial # 2K4347

[lifesaver]

Smith and Wesson Model 1905 third change Hand ejecter

I Have a Smith and Weson model 1903 third change 6 shot Cal.32-20 winchester CTG 6" hand ejector,
Walnut Checkered grips with gold Emblem butt kind of flares at bottom, 5 digit SN#51XXX Last Date on Barrel looks like Sept. 14 08 or 09. fixed sights How many digits do you need, for date?

[Radagast]

Snuffy33:
1978-1979: Serial number range for those years was M100000 to M130000.

recetnar:
Gun no 1 was manufactured in July 1987: serial prefixes AVB & AWW are recorded for that month and your serial number falls in between.

Gun No2 should have a J in front of the serial number J989xx was made in 1969 or 1970. If there isn't a J prefix check the number again, as the non j prefixed serial numbers are supposed to have ended at 786544.

Tom Schafer: 1973 for your model 19-3, one of the serial number ranges used that year (there were more than one) was 2K1 to 2K22037.


Lifesaver: 1909-1915 is as close as you will get without paying $50 to have Roy Jinks the S&W historian research your guns shipping date. Serial number range for the .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 3rd Change was 45201 to 65700.