Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Elgin47]

Thank you, I appreciate it.
R.

[Nushif]

I have been curious about that!

a) .38 S&W
b) ~2 inches
c) round grips
d) 5
e) Fixed sights
f) 66168

[Radagast]

Nushif:
You have a .38 Terrier manufactured between 1948 & 1957, when it was designated the Model 30. If there is a screw on the top of the side plate (right side, near the hammer) then it was manufactured in 1955 or earlier. If there is a screw in the front of the grip and the at the junction of the front of the trigger guard and the frame then it was made in 1953 or earlier.
The Terrier was built on the small I frame and from 1953 on the Improved I frame. The grip is slightly smaller than the J frame of today, so modern grips will not be a correct fit.

[Nushif]

1953 or earlier it is. Nifty.

[Lew]

a) .357
b) 4"
c) square
d) 6
e) adjustable
f) N 284 0XX
g) 28-2


Just picked up an S&W Highway Patrolman. My first revolver and she is beautiful. Blue with original wood grips. Doesn't look like it's been messed with. I saw a s/n list that put it between 1975-77. Does that check?

Thanks in advance.

-Lew

[420Stainless]

Model 19-2.

S/N K5437XX

[Radagast]

Lew:
Yes, the list probably came from the Standard Catalog of S&W, which states that the N2xxxxxx range was used in 1974-1977, with the last half of the N2xxxxx range being mainly Model 28s and Model 58s. The 28-2 variant was produced from 1961 to 1982.

420Stainless:
Your Model 19-2 Combat Magnum was produced from produced in 1963.

[420Stainless]

Radagast,

Thank you very much for helping me out.

[MMCSRET]

Picked up a Model 37 last week, flat latch, 2", blued nicely, very little sign of wear, diamond center grips, s/n 3063XX. When was it shipped?
Thank you!!!!!!

[Radagast]

MMCSRET:
Your Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight was manufactured in the same serial range as the Model 36. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that serial number 295000 shipped in 1962 and that the flat latch was deleted in 1966. So 1962 to 1966 is the best I can give you.

[MMCSRET]

Thanks Rad, that confirms my suspicions!!!!!!!

[XxWINxX94]

Alright I have a Smith Airweight 38Spl. CTG, 1'' barrel, blued, 5-shot with S/N 74379.

[Radagast]

XxWINxX94:
You have a Bodyguard Airweight manufactured in 1955 (serial range for J frame guns went to 75000 that year). In 1957 The Bodyguard Airweight was designated the model 38 in 1957.

Per the Standard Catalog of S&W the first prototype may have been shipped to the Police Equipment company 8/16/1955, with the first production gun at serial number 73780 being manufactured 12/16/1955. So you have one of the first Bodyguard Airweights manufactured. I wonder if it was shipped in time for someone to buy it for christmas?
The cylinder is blued steel, the frame is aluminum, which is why there are nicks on the top strap. The grips are probably original to the gun, as they have the uncheckered diamond around the grip screws that is correct for that period.

[XxWINxX94]

Radagast,
Thanks a bunch! Great knowing about my gun I didn't think was half that old!
Anyway, I've got another for ya that I really don't know much about, (inherited a collection).

Heres a picture, It's a 6-shot, I think 4 or 5'' barrel, in 32-20WIN, Square-like checkered grips, looks old-er. Says "Smith & Wesson" on one side. S/N 125804 in generally 'good' condition. Shoots and functions flawlessly.

[Radagast]

XxWINxX94:
You have a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1920 and 1940, serial number 81287 dates to late 1919, with production ending at serial number 144684 around 1940.
It was not uncommon for these guns to end up with bulged barrels when jacketed high speed rifle ammunition was shot through them. Modern ammo is supposed to be downloaded to protect these old guns. If someone offers you an old box of .32-20 High Speed ammo, find a rifle to shoot it through.

The grips are not original to the gun, they are post 1968 Magna grips. The original grips would have been hard rubber or walnut with a round top, and would not have the two 'horns' that extend to the top of the grip frame on the Magnas. If you want to make it more original you would need to lurk on the gun auction sites for a pair of grips, but the Magnas you currently have would be more comfortable to shoot.

In that condition it would probably interest a collector, so if you ever need to sell it try here or at www.smith-wessonforum.com as you will obtain a better price than at the local gun pusher.

[p7rene]

Hi Radagast, here's one more for you or other DOB gurus. Just acquired this one today. Thanks in advance.

Colt Python
Stainless steel
6 in. barrell
.357 revolver
6 shot
SN KT3662

Thanks again

[Radagast]

p7rene:
http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html has a the only list of serial numbers that I am aware of for Colts, but it doesn't cover that serial number range.

I suggest you try asking at http://www.coltforum.com/forums/ if no one else answers your question here.

[p7rene]

Thanks radagast. I'll check out the Colt forums. I did some research on the web and all I found were serial nos. to 1985 as was proofhouse. I really should stick to S&Ws but this one came along by chance and I've heard so many good things about Pythons that I could not pass it up.

[Ateam-3]

DOB info. for these two revolvers please.


S & W Model 36-1
38 cal.
3" barrel
5 shot
Ser. No. J465xxx


S & W Model 37-2
38 cal.
2" barrel
5 shot
Ser. No. BRP75xx

[Radagast]

Ateam-3:
Your Model 36-1 Chiefs Special dates to the period 1976 to 1977.
Your Model 37-2 Chiefs Special Airweight dates to between August 1994 (serial range BRFxxxx) & January 1996 (serial range CAMxxxx).

[Ateam-3]

Thanks Radagast. This helps a lot.

[rirvine]

Greetings all,

This place is a bit overwhelming. I found it looking for info on a S&W model 17 I picked up the other day. Even at my age, I'm a bit of a newbie where handguns are concerned so I'll just jump in asking the question that was on my mind. The serial number only occurs within the yoke (not on the butt or anyplace else I can find). It is 8K11096.

Thanks for any info.

[Radagast]

rirvine:
Your model 17 K22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1975. The serial number will be on the bottom edge of the grip frame, if you have target grips then the frame will be enclosed and you won't be able to see the serial number.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

[rirvine]

Wow - quick response! Thanks much.

[springfield30-06]

a) .44 Mag
b) 6.5 in
c) square
d) 6
e) adjustable
f) N136XXX
g) 29-2

Thanks!