Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[hinton03]

Super Radagast, thanks

[rainbowbob]

I met a friend here on THR and we've been enjoying lunches and good discussions when he is working in my area. The subject of my wish for a K-frame .22 came up, and it so happens he has one he's willing to part with. He loaned it to me to try out and we agreed we'd do a little research and come up with a fair price if I decide to purchase it. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I think I've already decided to buy it. It will be a great addition to my K-frame family, much cheaper to practice with, and hopefully I'll get my wife (who has yet to fire a round) to give it a try.


Here is the required info for a manufacture date (thanks in advance):

a) .22 LR
b) 6"
c) square
d) 6
e) Adjustable
f) K633074
g) M 17-2


There is a very small bit of rust on the crane, a small scratch on the frame, and it appears somebody used the wrong sized screwdriver on the spring tension screw on the front strap. But it locks up tight, has a sweet trigger, and overall condition appears to be very good. If anyone can help us determine a ballpark fair market value - PM me please.

[Radagast]

Rainbowbob:
The Model 17-2 K22 Masterpiece you are looking at was manufactured in 1965. I can't give you a current price, I suggest you PM SaxonPig, Rcmodel or Old Fuff. Or just have a look at prices on www.gunbroker.com www.gunsamerica.com or www.auctionarms.com

[rainbowbob]

Thanks Radagast. I will follow your suggestion and ask those resident experts for an opinion of value.

[Jackhunter]

Here are the particulars:

a. .32 Long;
b. 3 1/4 inch barrel;
c. round butt (grip);
d. 6 shots;
e. fixed sights;
f. serial # 404XX
g. no model #;
h. nickel finish.
e. number stamped on crane, 29732, I think.

This is an apparently fairly early 32 CTG hand ejector that I would like some details on. It is in pretty good shape, and I came by it recently from a friend to whose great grandfather it belonged. Any help it appreciated.

[tocojeto]

N Frame -28-2 6"bbl, 6 shot .357 Mag N158XXX

[AKPastor]

a) .45 ACP
b) 6.5 in
c) round
d) 6
e) type of sights.
f) N6149XX
g) Model 1955


I'm thinking it's about 1978-1980, but was looking to narrow that down.

Thanks for the thread - and for any help you can give me

[88 Cutlass]

a) 357 Magnum
b) 4"
c) Round
d) 6 Shots
e) Front Fixed, Rear adjustable
f) 146k3xx
g) 19-6

I've come to understand I have a 4" barrel Smith and Wesson Model 19, Just liked to know when it was born and any other cool sites to learn more about it. My grandfather gave it to me for my birthday over the weekend because he said it has sat on the shelf in his bedroom for probably 30 years.

[Radagast]

88Cutlass:
Your Model 9-6 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1982. www.gunblast.com has a few decent articles, there may be something at stephen A. Camps Hi Powers and Handguns site, also www.smith&wessonforum.com

Briefly, the .357 Combat Magnum was introduced in 1955 (it became the model 19 in 1957), as a result of a request from gun writer & Border Patrolman Bill Jordan, who wanted the power of the large N frame .357 Magnum (later the Model 27) but in the handy size of the .38 Miltary & Police revolver (later the model 10).

The result is the model 19, and in stainless steel the Model 66.
Based on the medium sized K frame with heavy barrel and adjustable sights, it is the big brother of the .38 Special Model 15 Combat Masterpiece.
putting a 35,000 PSI cartridge into a frame designed for a 20,000 PSI cartridge does cause some problems. the Model 19 is known to suffer flame cutting, where the topstrap develops a groove in it from the flame escaping from the barrel cylinder gap. This isn't much of a problem as it tends to cut only so far and no further.

A bigger problem is the forcing cone (back of the barrel can crack if fed high velocity ammunition. For this reason it's normally recommended you use 158 grain magnum ammunition, not the faster 125 grain ammo which will smack into the forcing cone with more energy.

They can also go out of time faster if shot with magnum ammo. A diet of .38 specials (which will chamber in the .357) will give it an indefinite life.

If you want to shoot a lot of magnum ammo then get a 686. Occasional use of heavy bullet .357s and normal use of .38 specials should see it last many years. If you want to shoot a lot of .357s then get a Model 686, which is more robust.

The Model 19 was discontinued in 1999.

[Radagast]

AKPastor:
You are correct, the N6xxxxx serial range was used in 1979-1980. Unfortunately the Standard catalog of S&W doesn't give a more detailed breakdown than that. As the Model 25-2 1955 .45 Target Heavy Barrel in .45 acp was produced unchanged from 1961 to 1988, there are no other clues in the book to narrow the year down.
with ther serial range starting at 600000 in 1979, I am inclined to think that your gun was produced in 1979, but I can't prove that.
For $50 Roy Jinks the S&W factory historian will look up the original shipping records and send you a letter giving you the date, shipping address and the factory specification of your gun. Not being a very rare model, this would not add value, but it may satisfy your curiosity if you feel like spending the money.

[Radagast]

tocojeto:
Your Model 28-2 Highway patrolman was manufactured in 1973.

[Radagast]

Jackhunter:
You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 1st Change manufactured in the period 1904 to 1906 in the serial range 19426 to 51126.
3.25 inches was a standard barrel length, factory finish was either blued or nickel. With both finishes the hammer and trigger were color case hardened, so if they have been nickeled it indicates the gun has been refinished at some point in the past.

The gun is built on the small round butt I frame, modern J frame grips will be to long for it.
Original grips on the fixed sight model were checkered hard rubber.

Your gun predates the modern internal hammer block safety, so if kept loaded the chamber under the hammer should be left empty.

It also predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to factory lead ammo or equvalent handloads, don't try load it hot.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $315 in very good condition, $385 in excellent condition. Obviously these prices may have changed in the intervening years, but should give you a base line value.

[gbball98]

Model 19-4

A. 357 magnum
B. 4"
C. Square
D. 6 shot
E. adjustable rear sights
F. 51K21XX
G. 19-4
H. Blue

[Radagast]

gbball98:
Your Model 19-4 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1978 or 1979. Serial range for those years was 25K0001 to 56K9999, so 1979 seems likely.

[gbball98]

Thanks for the information Radagast.

[Jackhunter]

Radagast:

Thank you very much for the help. The hammer is not nickeled. I believe this gun to have been fired one round or two, at most. It does have some blemishes to the nickel finish, but had been in storage mostly since its purchase. i appreciate the information.

Jack

[AKPastor]

Thanks Radagast for the confirmation.

I might eventually get the letter from S&W. Just got this pistol though as a gift and absolutely love it.

[Sniper X]

a) caliber .38spl
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 4in
c) grips shape (round or square) square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores 6
e) type of sights. fixed
f) serial number, it isn't here...but
g) Model number if it is under the crane. it's a 10-8.

[Sniper X]

a) caliber .38spl
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 4in
c) grips shape (round or square) square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores 6
e) type of sights. fixed
f) serial number, it isn't here...but
g) Model number if it is under the crane. it's a 10-8.

What year approxamately was it made, as in what was the span for the 10-8? I think mine is a 1986 or so.

[mikelj]

a. .38 Special
b. 5"
c. Square diamond grips
d. Six Shot
e. Sights: fixed "half-moon" front / grooved rear
f. S/N 275XXX (no letters)
g. No Model # only 2536 on crane

From what I've read on this thread so far, I think you're going to tell me this gun is a lot older than I thought it was and than it looks to me. I bought it because it is a nice match to my S&W .22 Mod 17, and planned to shoot it, but am wondering if it is one to be "preserved" instead? Any opinions on that, approx value and whether a letter from S&W would be recommended are appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

[abchoppers]

Smith and Wesson
Model 36
38 Special
Square Butt
5 shot
serial number J7282XX

[rcmodel]

1979-1980'ish.

rc

[abchoppers]

Thanks!

[jscott]

New purchase, and my first venture into a vintage S&W.

I am happy with the purchase either way, but the Blue Book indicates a large value disparity between pre-war and post-war. Anyone able to tell me which it is? Obviously, WWI was from 1914-1918. The last date stamped on this was during the war. It's not yet in my possession so sorry, no S/N yet.

38S&W Regulation Police
4" barrel
95% plus original finish
cylinder has a light turn ring but is otherwise in excellent condition.

Top of barrel is marked "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. Pat'd Oct.8.01. Dec.17.01. Feb.6.06.Sept.14.09.Dec.29.14."

Bottom of left grip is marked Pat. June 5, 1917.

Hammer and trigger feature case colors that are very bright.

[Radagast]

jscott:
A lovely looking firearm. The pre war .38 Regulation Police was produced in the serial range 1 to 54474 between 1917 & 1940. The post war model was produced in the serial range 54475 to 122678 in the period 1949 to 1969, becoming the Model 33 in 1957.
if there is a screw in the front of the trigger guard it is a 5 screw pre war model, if not then it is a post war 4 screw model.
I'm not an expert, but I think that style of ejector rod dates to the 1920s.

mikelj:
You have a .38 Miltary & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1915 & 1919. Serial range over those years was 241704 to 316648.
The number under the crane is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory, it has no meaning after the gun is assembled.
Your gun predates heart treatment of cylinders, so only fire it with standa pressure lead ammunition. No jacketed, no PlusP and definitely no +P+.
It has an internal hammer block safety, but one failed with fatal results when a gun was dropped during WWII, leading to development of the current hammer block. If kept loaded I recommend leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $335 in excellent condition, $450 in Excellent Plus and $1200 for as new in box.
Because several millon .38 Military & Police revolvers have been made, a factory letter won't add to the value unless it shows connection to some celebrity or famous event, there are just too many of them out there. If you do choose to satisfy your curiosity and get the letter anyway, please post the shipping date so I can annotate by SCSW.

Sniper X:
The Model 10-8 .38 Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured between 1977 & 1988. If the S&W logo is on side plate (right hand side) then it is from 1981 or earlier. If the logo is on the left side of the frame then it is from 1981 or later.