Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

zxcvbob: The .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model was manufactured from 1989 to 1907 in the serial number range 116003 to roughly 220000. to get an actual shipping date you would need to pay $50 to S&W for a factory letter. I would guess the gun you are bidding on is pre-1900, based on the overall numbers produced, but it is still only a guess.

[trex1310]

Thank you very much for responding to my request (27-2).

[zxcvbob]

Radagast: Thanks.

(I got outbid in the last 5 seconds, just like on eBay. Guess I showed my cards too early.)

[ronlt55]

I just got an old 5 screw S&W M&P. It has a 2 inch barrel, square grip, blued finish, 6 shot cylinder, fixed sights and the serial number is S850830. Thanks.....

[Radagast]

4ronlt55: 1945 to 1948. Serial number range was S811338 to S999999.

[kanook]

me again, 38 S&W, 5 inch, 7823XX, crossed flags (sabers Or swords) appears British but I think it has the Broad arrow, II, MK4 all stacked on top oneanother. (cylinder accepts 38 special although it is marked S&W)Thanks (also 38/380 on frame where barrel screws in)

[Seamore2001]

Serial # 4770xx
Marked on the right side of the barrel: 38 S&W
On the top next to the rear sight groove: U.S. Property G.H.D.
Blued, 5" barrel
Half-moon front sight
Came with a box of 38 S&W cartridges and will not chamber 38 special cartridges.

Additional markings: left side of barrel - .38 3 1/2 767' Tons and BNP stamped in various places on barrel, frame, and cylinder.

I assumed this is a S&W Military & Police, but the fact that it won't chamber 38 special throws me. Any help on DOB and model would be greatly appreciated.

[kanook]

Seamore, I don't know the date of your firearm (someone will be here shortly). the 38 S&W you have is british BNP (british nitro proof) and will not chamber the 38 special. they are two different calibers.

[Radagast]

Kanook: Crossed flags was a Canadian marking. .380 was the civilian British/Commonwealth designation for the 38 S&W. 38/200 was the miltary designation. 5 inches was standard barrel length for a 38 S&W made for the commonwealth, 4 inches was the standard for .38 Special guns made for the USA. Lack of US Property markings means it was a commercial contract gun made between 1940 & 1942 for the British Purchasing Commission or the Canadian Govt. No idea where the MK$ comes from.
You have a .38/200 British Service Revolver made in the same serial range as the .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th change between 1940 & 1942.

The fact that it chambers .38 Special means that at some point the cylinder was bored out to accept the round. This was quite common after WWII, Parker Hale in England did a lot of the conversions. Do not fire plus P ammunition through your gun as the chambers will be wider at the rim than the cartridge, so split cases are a possibility.


Seamore 2001: US Property means it was a lend lease gun, 5 inches was standard barrel length for a 38 S&W made for the commonwealth, 4 inches was the standard for .38 Special guns made for the USA. GHD was Guy H Drewry, the US Inspector from 1930 to 1957.
is there a V stamped on the butt near the serial number? If there is a V then you have a British Service Revolver made in the same serial number range as the Victory Model between 1942 & 1944. This was a war finish Military & Police revolver.
BNP stands for British Nitro Proof ( smokeless powder proof load has been fired through the gun). '767 is the cartridge length in inches. 3.5 tons would be the proof pressure, the British didn't use PSI. The fact that it won't chamber .38 Special means it hasn't been bored out and will retain it's collectors value. The downside it that it will be more expensive to feed.

[Seamore2001]

Radagast,

Thank you very much for the answer - And Kanook, thanks for the BNP reply as well.

I neglected to mention the V on the butt. The V was covered by the lanyard loop that I'd swiveled around to read the serial number and I'd never noticed the V before. Come to think of it, I neglected to mention the lanyard loop in my earlier post as well.

Looking at it in better light, with the aid of a magnifying glass, it also has a stamp of an inverted pair of swords, with the number 2 in the bottom middle and number 5 on the bottom right. Reading in an earlier post, the inverted swords might indicate a British regiment?

I appreciate your reply. This revolver had been something of a mystery to me, so I'm glad to have a bit more information about it. It belonged to my father-in-law, who was given it by his father back in the 50s, I think. You're right about being pricey to feed - I need to start reloading for it.

[bangkok]

I just picked up a prelock S&W 686-4 Plus. I am wondering what year it is. It's a 4" barrel, 7 shot .357 mag. (but you guys already know that). The s/n is CBB25xx. Thanks

[Radagast]

bangkok: Between February 1995 (CLSxxxx) & August 1996 (CBCxxxx). The seven shot cylinder was introduced in 1995.

[Ian's Dad]

Picked up from my mother-in-law today.. they have been at her house forever and she asked me if i wanted them.. in case you are wondering, i said yes.. would like some info and date of birth..

1) Model 12-2 there are two numbers.. one on the crane under the model number (18157)and one on the bottom of the handle (D767306. i'm thinking the one on the handle is the serial number, right? this one has box and original papers

2) Model 22 says D.A .45 on the barrell. I'm assuming this is .45 ACP, right? also two numbers.. one on crane is 62478 and the one on the bottom of the handle is 105043.

sorry for being a doofus, but don't know which one is the serial number..

thanks for any help.

[Radagast]

Seamore 2001: I'm pretty sure that is a proofhouse stamp, Birmingham Proof house used cross swords for example. I can't tell you which proof house it was though.

[Radagast]

Ian's Dad:

Your 12-2 was made in 1975 or 1976 (D750001 to D870000). D767306 is the serial number. 18157 would be an assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory.

Your .45 Hand Ejector U.S Army Model of 1917was made between Sept. 17th 1917 & January 1919. Serial range was 1 to 169959. If it hasn't been modified the frame should be stamped US ARMY MODEL 1917 on the butt, UNITED STATES PROPERTY on the underside of the barrel & S&W D.A.on the right side of the barrel. 105043 is the serial number. 62478 is the assembly number.

If in excellent unaltered condition the .45 could be worth a bit, $950 to $1350 per the Standard Catalog of S&W. Value drops rapidly if altered or worn.

[bangkok]

Wow! That was fast!!

A 686+ with a 6" was the first gun I bought as an adult! I sold it about 5 or 6 years ago to help pay for day care for my son when I got custody! I always regretted selling it, but now I have one from the same time frame, just with a shorter barrel.

Thanks for the fast response!

[Ian's Dad]

Not too bad for a freebie!!! really appreciate your help....... it does have all the markings you mention and has only a little wear on the muzzle... do you know what the original grips would have been. the ones on it i am pretty sure are not original...

again, many thanks.

[spence]

Just purchased it has ts ,tt ,th, and target? grips(smooth with s&w logo) A.22 long rifle. B.4 inch bbl. C. square butt. D . 6 shot . E. adj. sgts. F. 93K8823 . G. 18-4 . Dontknow if the TT,TH, TG . are original. Thanks Spence

[Radagast]

spence: Your S&W Model 18-4 K22 Combat Masterpiece was made in 1981. Target trigger & hammer were a factory configuration. Narrow serrated trigger and hammer were also available. Factory grips were magnas, I have the narrow trigger, hammer & target grips on mine.

[Radagast]

Ian's Dad: Smooth walnut grips were standard issue for the US contract guns. Checkered diamond walnut grips were supplied on commercial guns, Magna grips on guns made after 1938.

Bangkok: Kids are more important than guns. You made the right choice there. Just remember it for when you are old and retired and he is in the prime of his working life. Then you can lay a guilt trip on him to buy you a new gun. :P

[Ian's Dad]

really appreciate your help.. had some cheesy fake horn grips on it...

[mnrivrat]

Looking for the DOB on a small frame S&W 22 RF gun with 2 inch barrel, Round butt , serial number is 261XX . Flat latch .

It has a three screw side plate, and coil main spring. No model markings so I think it is the Model of 1953 , but not sure of exact birth year . 1956 ?

[Radagast]

mnrivrat: Yes, it would be a model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun.
Standard Catalog of S&W notes serial number 11000 in 1955 and 52673 in 1959.
As model numbers were introduced in 1957 Your gun will be from 1955 or 1956. I would guess 1956 as production seemed to be around 5000 units a year, going by the serial ranges recorded during that period.
SCSW states that the upper side plate screw was supposedly deleted at serial number 11000, but it is found on guns with higher serial ranges, which again suggests 1956 instead of 1955.
The .22/32 kit gun was built on the improved I frame with a hammer block safety and coil mainspring, no strain screw or trigger guard screw. 2 or 4 inch barrel, serrated front sight, adjustable rear, serrated trigger (later changed to smooth) semi target hammer, blue or nickel finish, flat latch, diamond walnut grips, available in round or square butt.

There are rare two inch guns with fixed sights. Serial number should be on the butt, cylinder face, yoke, right grip panel and barrel flat.

[bangkok]

Radagast, I bought another prelock S&W this evening and need a DOB. This time it is a minty 629-1, .44 mag. with a 6" barrel, s/n is ADF17xx.

It has the most incredible, no unbelievable trigger pull I have ever felt (It can't be factory). Were target trigger & hammer's standard on all of them? Mine came with the box and all papers, only missing the tools!

[Radagast]

bangkok: ADFxxxx places your gun between October and December 1983. The 629-1 was produced from 1982 to 1988 and lacked the pinned barrel and recessed chambers of the earlier 629.
The .5 inch wide target hammer was standard, the .5 inch serrated target trigger was standard from 1979-1981, the .4 inch serrated target trigger was standard from 1981 to 1985. red ramp front sight and adjustable rear were standard. Goncalo Alves (target) grips were standard until 1993 when Hogue grips were introduced.