Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Gabby Hayes]

Radagast, you are da man!

[RedHatInstructor]

I've got:

Almost 6in barrel
6 shooter
rounded wood grips
5 screws (one top of side of frame between the hammer and cylinder, one bottom side of frame behind trigger guard, one over trigger, under cylinder, one just above the trigger guard in front, and one between grips on front of frame)
Serial is K 25XX
Inside frame is stamped "U" under is 1120
22 long rifle CTG printed on right side of barrel

Any info would be appreciated!

[JellyJar]

Ok, I just bought it today at a gun show.

1 Model 649-1
2 38 spl
3 1 7/8" barrel
4 SS# BBU97XX

[chunk]

I just picked up a beautiful model 19-3 nickel , 2 1/2 inch barrel round grip & would like to know its b-day s/n 8k477xx . thanks

[Radagast]

JellyJar:
Your Model 649-1 .38 Bodyguard Stainless was manufactured in early 1989.

RedHatInstructor:
You have a K22 Masterpiece manufactured in 1947, the second year of production. it was intended to be a premium target revolver, with identical balance to the .32 S&W Long K32 & the .38 Special K38, thus providing the set required for the Camp Perry national match. As an early gun, if in excellent condition there will be some collectors interest in it.
In 1957 the K22 was designated the Model 17.
K25xx is the serial number, u & 1120 are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They are not recorded and have no meaning after the gun is completed.

[RedHatInstructor]

Thank you so much Radagast! I've been searching for info on this forever! It's been in the family forever, so I wouldn't sell it, and its definitely not in excelent condition, but it isn't trashed either. Good to know it's collectible.
Thanks again!

[JellyJar]

Thanks Radagast.

[Radagast]

chunk:
Your Model 19-3 Combat magnum was manufactured in 1975.

[ruger1228]

I purchased a Model 48-4 yesterday and would like some information on it.
6" barrel
Blue finish
Case hardened trigger and hammer
SN-84K97xx
Caliber: 22WMR
This revolver has never been fired. There is no cylinder ring. Looks like it just came out of the factory. Had original box, papework, and S&W tools that have not been opened.
Could you give me the date of manufacture and how collectable this revolver is?
Thanking you in advance for your assistance.

[Radagast]

ruger1228:
Your Model 48-4 K-22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire was manufactured in 1980.
I've no idea how collectable they are, they are not very numerous, but that was more a case of low demand when in production.
I suggest you check out www.smith-wessonforum.com You will probably get a better idea of value there.

[Dave816]

model 1955 (25-2)
5-7/8" from cylinder to muzzle
.45 CAL
n734XXX
Looks like walnut grips

[davidnssbm]

smith and wesson 642-1 marked CTSXXXX

Thanks so much!

[Radagast]

Dave816:
Your 1955 Model 45 Target Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1980.

davidnssbm:
Your Model 642-1 .38 Centennial Airweight Stainless should date to late 2004 or early 2005. Guns in the CTAxxxx range shipped in October 2004, so I am inclined to early 2005.

[davidnssbm]

you're awesome! Thanks for finding that out for me!

[ruger1228]

Could you help identify the DOB of this revolver?
Model 629-2
8 3/8" barrel
Fingergroove grips
Front sight red ramp
Rear sight white outline-adjustable
Target Trigger & Target Hammer
This revolver has scope mounting groove on barrel rib
with a Leupold M8 2x scope mounted on it.
SN:BBU49**
Thanking you in advance for your assistance. Thank you also for dating the
Model 48 I inquired about.

[velocette]

How 'bout this one:
S&W second model, .32 rimfire, round butt, 4" barrel.
Action opens from hinge at top front of frame via a latch just forward of the spur trigger. Serial # 108518.

TIA
Roger

[davidnssbm]

Hey Radagast,

Any way to figure out if the SW 642 from 2005 has the durable or cheap finish? S/N Started with CTS

Thanks and happy new year!

[lori]

caliber A. 38 special
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) A. 4inch
c) grips shape (round or square) A. Square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores A. 6in
e) type of sights. A Fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip A. 3D140XX
g) Model number if it is under the crane. A. 10-6
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).

[Guillermo]

Lori

Under the crane is the answer. It is a model 10. The 10-6 was started in 1966.

They started using the "D" in the serial number in 1967. They changed to the 10-7 in 1977.

They deleted the "diamond" in the middle of the grips in 1968 (if the grips are original)

Radagast will come along and give you an exact date

[Guillermo]

I am going to follow this. It seems that they were 2D in 1978 and 4D in 1979.

Where did the "3D"s come in?

FYI, the D was a prefix in the 60s (mentioned in the post above). They didn't start putting a number in front of the letter until 1977.

[Old Fuff]

I presume you are looking in Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

In 1978 they started at 2D80,001 to 2D99,999 and then to 3D00,001 to 3D99,999.

Then in 1979 they started at 4D00,001, to 4D99,999, 5D00,001 to 5D99,999, and 6D00,001 to 6D10,000.

And so on, but they don't show it that way.

[lori]

I just learned a ton about hand guns today! Thank you! I will be on this site learning much more! Thank you again! Take care lori

[Old Fuff]

You're more then welcome. Hope you come back often.

[Radagast]

ruger1228:
I am assuming your gun has an unfluted cylinder, which makes it a Model 629-2 .44 magnum Stainless Classic Hunter manufactured in August 1989.

[Radagast]

velocette:
The Standard catalog of S&W notes that that the 4 inch barrel variant of the Model Number Two Old Model was only made from 1864 to 1867. Production started in 1861 & by 1870 had reached 41993, so I would guess closer to 1864 than 1867.