Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers - Page 69

Radagast · January 25, 2010, 07:27 PM

heeler:
1969-1970.

tbone3:
Probably 1984/5. The 65-3 was introduced in 1982. The use of a three letter prefix for serial numbers was introduced in 1983, although S&W continued to sell guns with the old style serial after that date. The 65-3 was discontinued in 1988. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes serial range 17D8901 to 21D0883 in 1983, with 30D9291 being the final number in the D serial ranges. All I can say with certainty is 1983 to 1988.

LunkerPike:
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $400 in excellent condition.

tbone3 · January 25, 2010, 09:30 PM

Thanks Radagast!
Kind of hoping it's an '86 as that's my birth year!

Dad2Hunt · January 26, 2010, 09:53 AM

Just purchased a S&W Long
Here are the stats on it.
A. .32 long
B. 4" barrel from end of cylinder to end of barrel
C. Square butt with serial number on it
D. 6 shot
E. fixed sights
F. Serial number 656XXX no other numbers around it on bottom of butt
G. number under the cylinder latch 314XX no dashes on both sides of the cylinder hinge.
ON the back it says
Made in USA
Marcas Registradas
Smith & Wesson
Springfield Mass
The square butt with the metal through the middle doesn't seem to match the flat thumb latch and the serial number. Would like to know the Model number for sure and age.

oweno · January 26, 2010, 01:49 PM

Hi,
I someone could tell me the year of manufacture of the following it''d be appreciated:

Model 37

Serial Number: J3758nn

Thanks in advance,

oweno

Radagast · January 27, 2010, 01:11 AM

DaD2Hunt:
The serial number dates your gun to 1956 or later. Lack of a model number means your gun is pre 1957. The serrated front sight was introduced in 1956. The upper sideplate screw was deleted in 1956, so I'm pretty confidant you have a gun made in 1956/57. It could be either a .32 Hand Ejector or .32 Regulation Police. The Standard Catalog of S&W lists both as being available in a square butt variant post war, but I think you will find at that point in time the delineation of .32 Hand Ejector = round butt and .32 Regulation Police = square butt still held.
So you have a post war .32 Regulation Police built on the square butt Improved I frame in late 1956 or early 1957. In 1957 model numbers were introduced and the Regulation Police became the Model 31.

oweno:
1976-1977. Serial range for those years was J370001 to J610000, so probably early 1976.

oweno · January 27, 2010, 02:01 PM

Thanks Radagast, I appreciate you taking the trouble to look this up and pass along the info.
best regards,
oweno

Dad2Hunt · January 29, 2010, 12:02 PM

Thank you Ragagast, I appreciate your time and knowledge.
Dad2Hunt

tonkawa · January 31, 2010, 12:27 AM

Just acquired:

Model 15-3
4 inch barrel
S# 1K4xx
38 Special Ctg.
Square Butt

It was a police trade in from J&G

Thanks......

Radagast · January 31, 2010, 07:57 AM

tonkawa:
1970.

tonkawa · January 31, 2010, 11:00 AM

Thanks Radagast.........

ir3e971 · January 31, 2010, 02:20 PM

Looking for a manufacture date.

Any idea when a S&W Safety Hammerless with serial #251890 would have been manufactured?

Any help with a new Model 10 Snub I just got would also be appreciated.

Serial # is C966382

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Bob

ir3e971 · January 31, 2010, 02:22 PM

Consolidated with above post.

flapjack1439 · January 31, 2010, 04:51 PM

I'm looking for any info on this revolver.

.38 special CTG
4" barrel
square grip?
6 shot
fixed sight
serial # 588826 no letter

There is a number on the frame, under the swing arm (the crane?) 63735

Radagast · January 31, 2010, 05:02 PM

ir3e971:
Your .38 Safety Hammerless 5th Model was manufactured between 1907 & 1940 in the serial range 220000 to 261493. I can't be more precise than that.

Your Model 10 was manufactured between 1966 & 1967 on the serial range C810533 to C999999, so 1967 seems most likely.

flapjack1439:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1904 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
Your gun lacks the modern internal hammer block safety. If dropped on the hammer potentially it could fire, so it would be prudent to only load 5 chambers, with the hammer down on an empty chamber. 588826 is the serial number. 63735 is an assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory and irrelevant once the gun is complete.

ir3e971 · January 31, 2010, 05:35 PM

Radagast,

Thanks a bunch.

Bob

flapjack1439 · January 31, 2010, 05:48 PM

Thanks Radagast

Riss · January 31, 2010, 11:49 PM

Need a little date help on a S&W 17-2 , 22 cal. I got to fondle the other day. Under crane is 17-2 with I think a 4 or 5 digit ser #. On the butt was a ser# that I think was K and then 5 or 6 digits. Standard square butt S&W grips. NOT large target grips. Adjustable rear and Patridge target front sight with a 5" or longer barrel, blued with a little muzzle wear. If I could have held it longer I would have more info but that is all I can get for now.

evan price · February 1, 2010, 03:16 AM

a) 38 spl
b) 6"
c) square
d) 6-shot
e) fixed, half coin front
f) 53349X
g) no help here.

Looks to be pre-WWII, due to a single-line "Made in USA" rollmark on right side, and large diameter ejector rod knob. Looks like diamond grips (Magnas?) and a 5-screw action.
That would be 1922-1948 right? Don't know if the nickle is original or not, have not picked it up yet.
I'm sure it looks worse in person.

pix2222782078.jpg pix2222782531.jpg

Well, what can I say, it's a project- at least it was cheap...

Radagast · February 1, 2010, 06:39 AM

evan price:
1927-1930. Texas State Police bought guns in the serial range 500,000 to 630,000 during that period. Yours falls within that range. Nickel appears to be original, the hammer, trigger and grip screws haven't been nickled, which is usually the sign of an aftermarket refinish. If it is aftermarket it was well done. Pity about the rust, but if the bore is still good it's a shooter.

Riss:
The 17-2 was produced between 1961 & 1967.Walnut Magna grips (not target grips) were standard, they should have a small uncheckered diamond around the grip screws if original. Barrel length was normally 6 inches, 5 inch barrels
were made but are rare. The number under the crane is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory and irrelevant once the gun is complete. The Kxxxxxx serial number is correct for the 1961 to 1967 time period.

heeler · February 1, 2010, 08:29 AM

Well here's one I just bought for $450.00.
S&W Model 37
Blue
Pinned barrel
Two inch barrel
No dash
Round butt.
Serial 866xx
Super clean!!

Radagast · February 1, 2010, 09:01 AM

heeler:
1956, but there should not be a model number stamped under the cylinder yoke if the gun is that early. Did you take the number from the cylinder yoke from the bottom of the grip frame?

heeler · February 1, 2010, 09:30 AM

Radagast,I am waiting for the revolver to be shipped to my FFL.
It does not have the diamond grips.
No rust scratches or blue loss.
Probably set in someones nightstand forever.

Jeff23 · February 1, 2010, 06:49 PM

Hi Radagast, another request, since I bought a CCW today. It's just a smidge unusual, since it's a 442, but not with the usual dark finish--the store clerk called it "brushed nickel." It's matte, not like shiny nickel, but not quite like stainless either. Here are the details:

Caliber: .38 special
BBL: 2"
Grips: square?
Shots: 5
Sights: fixed
Ser #: BPS3366
Model (under crane): 442

There's no lock.
Thanks as always for all that you do

Radagast · February 1, 2010, 07:59 PM

Jeff23:
Probably between December 1993 (BPKxxxx) & August 1994 (BRFxxxx). There were some out of sequence serial numbers around that time, but the above is probably correct. Satin Nickel was one of the two standard factory finishes until 1997.

dbb1776 · February 1, 2010, 08:25 PM

.38 s.&w. special ctg across barrel
Made in USA Marcas Registradas
smith & wesson
springfield , mass.
c154xxx
The number 4 and the letter H is stamped inside the frame where the crane closes
below that are the numbers 86113, also 86113 is on the crane
Fixed sights with half moon front sight
found it for 150.00. Ugly but shoots great.

January 25, 2010, 07:27 PM	#1701
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	heeler: 1969-1970. tbone3: Probably 1984/5. The 65-3 was introduced in 1982. The use of a three letter prefix for serial numbers was introduced in 1983, although S&W continued to sell guns with the old style serial after that date. The 65-3 was discontinued in 1988. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes serial range 17D8901 to 21D0883 in 1983, with 30D9291 being the final number in the D serial ranges. All I can say with certainty is 1983 to 1988. LunkerPike: In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $400 in excellent condition. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

January 27, 2010, 01:11 AM	#1705
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	DaD2Hunt: The serial number dates your gun to 1956 or later. Lack of a model number means your gun is pre 1957. The serrated front sight was introduced in 1956. The upper sideplate screw was deleted in 1956, so I'm pretty confidant you have a gun made in 1956/57. It could be either a .32 Hand Ejector or .32 Regulation Police. The Standard Catalog of S&W lists both as being available in a square butt variant post war, but I think you will find at that point in time the delineation of .32 Hand Ejector = round butt and .32 Regulation Police = square butt still held. So you have a post war .32 Regulation Police built on the square butt Improved I frame in late 1956 or early 1957. In 1957 model numbers were introduced and the Regulation Police became the Model 31. oweno: 1976-1977. Serial range for those years was J370001 to J610000, so probably early 1976. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

January 31, 2010, 07:57 AM	#1709
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	tonkawa: 1970. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

January 31, 2010, 02:20 PM	#1711
ir3e971 Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 266	Safety Hammerless Date Request (please) Looking for a manufacture date. Any idea when a S&W Safety Hammerless with serial #251890 would have been manufactured? Any help with a new Model 10 Snub I just got would also be appreciated. Serial # is C966382 Any help is greatly appreciated. Bob Last edited by ir3e971; January 31, 2010 at 04:50 PM.

January 31, 2010, 02:22 PM	#1712
ir3e971 Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 266	Consolidate with above post Consolidated with above post. Last edited by ir3e971; January 31, 2010 at 04:51 PM.

January 25, 2010, 09:30 PM	#1702
tbone3 Member Join Date: January 19, 2008 Location: MO Posts: 31	Thanks Radagast! Kind of hoping it's an '86 as that's my birth year!

January 26, 2010, 01:49 PM	#1704
oweno Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: was NH, now FL Posts: 265	Hi, I someone could tell me the year of manufacture of the following it''d be appreciated: Model 37 Serial Number: J3758nn Thanks in advance, oweno

January 27, 2010, 02:01 PM	#1706
oweno Member Join Date: December 25, 2002 Location: was NH, now FL Posts: 265	Thanks Radagast, I appreciate you taking the trouble to look this up and pass along the info. best regards, oweno

January 29, 2010, 12:02 PM	#1707
Dad2Hunt Member Join Date: January 25, 2010 Posts: 2	Thank you Ragagast, I appreciate your time and knowledge. Dad2Hunt

January 31, 2010, 12:27 AM	#1708
tonkawa Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Location: Central Arizona Highlands Posts: 8	Just acquired: Model 15-3 4 inch barrel S# 1K4xx 38 Special Ctg. Square Butt It was a police trade in from J&G Thanks......

January 31, 2010, 11:00 AM	#1710
tonkawa Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Location: Central Arizona Highlands Posts: 8	Thanks Radagast.........

January 31, 2010, 04:51 PM	#1713
flapjack1439 Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Posts: 3	I'm looking for any info on this revolver. .38 special CTG 4" barrel square grip? 6 shot fixed sight serial # 588826 no letter There is a number on the frame, under the swing arm (the crane?) 63735

January 31, 2010, 05:02 PM	#1714
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	ir3e971: Your .38 Safety Hammerless 5th Model was manufactured between 1907 & 1940 in the serial range 220000 to 261493. I can't be more precise than that. Your Model 10 was manufactured between 1966 & 1967 on the serial range C810533 to C999999, so 1967 seems most likely. flapjack1439: You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1904 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930. Your gun lacks the modern internal hammer block safety. If dropped on the hammer potentially it could fire, so it would be prudent to only load 5 chambers, with the hammer down on an empty chamber. 588826 is the serial number. 63735 is an assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory and irrelevant once the gun is complete. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

January 31, 2010, 05:35 PM	#1715
ir3e971 Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 266	Radagast, Thanks a bunch. Bob

January 31, 2010, 05:48 PM	#1716
flapjack1439 Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks Radagast

January 31, 2010, 11:49 PM	#1717
Riss Member Join Date: December 27, 2002 Location: SE Quad, Penns Woods Posts: 981	Need a little date help on a S&W 17-2 , 22 cal. I got to fondle the other day. Under crane is 17-2 with I think a 4 or 5 digit ser #. On the butt was a ser# that I think was K and then 5 or 6 digits. Standard square butt S&W grips. NOT large target grips. Adjustable rear and Patridge target front sight with a 5" or longer barrel, blued with a little muzzle wear. If I could have held it longer I would have more info but that is all I can get for now. __________________ An X is still an X with a Quarter Inch group at 100 yards With a Quarter Inch Group on the keyboard an X could be - Z,S,D, or C. I am a quarter inch typist - Please excuse the errors!

February 1, 2010, 03:16 AM	#1718
evan price Member Join Date: December 7, 2005 Location: http://www.ohioccw.org/ Ohio's best CCW resource! Posts: 4,825	a) 38 spl b) 6" c) square d) 6-shot e) fixed, half coin front f) 53349X g) no help here. Looks to be pre-WWII, due to a single-line "Made in USA" rollmark on right side, and large diameter ejector rod knob. Looks like diamond grips (Magnas?) and a 5-screw action. That would be 1922-1948 right? Don't know if the nickle is original or not, have not picked it up yet. I'm sure it looks worse in person. pix2222782078.jpg pix2222782531.jpg Well, what can I say, it's a project- at least it was cheap... __________________ Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc Last edited by evan price; February 1, 2010 at 03:21 AM.

February 1, 2010, 06:39 AM	#1719
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	evan price: 1927-1930. Texas State Police bought guns in the serial range 500,000 to 630,000 during that period. Yours falls within that range. Nickel appears to be original, the hammer, trigger and grip screws haven't been nickled, which is usually the sign of an aftermarket refinish. If it is aftermarket it was well done. Pity about the rust, but if the bore is still good it's a shooter. Riss: The 17-2 was produced between 1961 & 1967.Walnut Magna grips (not target grips) were standard, they should have a small uncheckered diamond around the grip screws if original. Barrel length was normally 6 inches, 5 inch barrels were made but are rare. The number under the crane is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory and irrelevant once the gun is complete. The Kxxxxxx serial number is correct for the 1961 to 1967 time period. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

February 1, 2010, 08:29 AM	#1720
heeler Member Join Date: December 18, 2007 Posts: 2,433	Well here's one I just bought for $450.00. S&W Model 37 Blue Pinned barrel Two inch barrel No dash Round butt. Serial 866xx Super clean!!

February 1, 2010, 09:01 AM	#1721
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	heeler: 1956, but there should not be a model number stamped under the cylinder yoke if the gun is that early. Did you take the number from the cylinder yoke from the bottom of the grip frame? __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

February 1, 2010, 09:30 AM	#1722
heeler Member Join Date: December 18, 2007 Posts: 2,433	Radagast,I am waiting for the revolver to be shipped to my FFL. It does not have the diamond grips. No rust scratches or blue loss. Probably set in someones nightstand forever.

February 1, 2010, 06:49 PM	#1723
Jeff23 Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Posts: 59	Hi Radagast, another request, since I bought a CCW today. It's just a smidge unusual, since it's a 442, but not with the usual dark finish--the store clerk called it "brushed nickel." It's matte, not like shiny nickel, but not quite like stainless either. Here are the details: Caliber: .38 special BBL: 2" Grips: square? Shots: 5 Sights: fixed Ser #: BPS3366 Model (under crane): 442 There's no lock. Thanks as always for all that you do __________________ National Rifle Association Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen Connecticut Citizens Defense League Second Amendment Foundation

February 1, 2010, 07:59 PM	#1724
Radagast Member Join Date: December 24, 2002 Posts: 3,375	Jeff23: Probably between December 1993 (BPKxxxx) & August 1994 (BRFxxxx). There were some out of sequence serial numbers around that time, but the above is probably correct. Satin Nickel was one of the two standard factory finishes until 1997. __________________ If you're 6'4" 360, with the scraggly beard wearing a kilt, I think you can leave the guns at home. Just throw on your tartan, grab the nearest sledgehammer, and chase the bad guy down on foot while yelling "REMEMBER WILLIAM WALLACE!!!" If he stops before he hits the state line, splatter him - MGshaggy

February 1, 2010, 08:25 PM	#1725
dbb1776 Member Join Date: January 19, 2010 Location: tx Posts: 217	.38 s.&w. special ctg across barrel Made in USA Marcas Registradas smith & wesson springfield , mass. c154xxx The number 4 and the letter H is stamped inside the frame where the crane closes below that are the numbers 86113, also 86113 is on the crane Fixed sights with half moon front sight found it for 150.00. Ugly but shoots great.