Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

a) S&W .357 MAGNUM
b) 6"
c) square
d) 6
e) fixed front ramp with orange insert, adjustable rear white outlined notch
f) CJW27**
g) 686-6

Is this a "Distinguished Combat Magnum"?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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S&W .357
8 3/8”
Square
Six
Fixed front ramp with red insert, adj rear white outline
Pre-Model 27
SN# S 164XXX
Five screw, case hardened hammer and trigger, recessed cylinder.

I think it’s one of the earlier pre-27’s but not certain. Acquired this week at my LGS after watching it sit there for 2 months

Polwop66 said:

S&W .357
8 3/8”
Square
Six
Fixed front ramp with red insert, adj rear white outline
Pre-Model 27
SN# S 164XXX
Five screw, case hardened hammer and trigger, recessed cylinder.

I think it’s one of the earlier pre-27’s but not certain. Acquired this week at my LGS after watching it sit there for 2 months

Click to expand...

Prairie Traveler said:

Howdy ya'll...I'l take a turn at this. I inherited this Smith from my Father: story is; this is part of the "Lend-Lease" treaty with GB. This one was in .38S&W, sent to England, converted to .38SPL, and sent back to the RCMP, then re-pat. back to US.View attachment 969865 View attachment 969865
K-frame [?]
38 sp {was 38 s&w}
3" brl
squaAre
plane site
s/n V 753538
under crane: 14 (I think) over 131 26
d li6 shot
"P" stamped after s/n on frameView attachment 969865

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Admin, I would like to re-post my inquires about my Smith please...

A .38 s&w special ctg.
B 6"
C Square
D 6
E fixed
F 469198
G none

We recently looked into this S&W 38, 5” bbl, nickle, square, 6 shot, serial number 367426
I’m interested to know what the serial number on the butt means with a “star” at the end (see pic) It has a loop attached there also, which covers the middle digits of the serial number on the butt.
Do you know any history on the gun that might explain the star at the end of the serial number on the butt?
Thanks very much. You’re providing a valuable service here.

LGS has a Jframe 640 no dash. 3" in barrel. Has Airwight stamped on the barrel. But the puzzling part is that its Nickel plated and appears so from the factory? SN BAL3896. Obviously the 640s are all stainless, but the lgs owner thought a possible special order... but i cant find anything suggesting that. Oh, and its .38 spcl

A .357 Magnum
B 5"
C Square
D 6
E Adjustable
F S 123763
G No Model - "S" stamped in yoke- Below that is stamped 3689 3

sidearm38 said:

View attachment 976030 View attachment 976029 View attachment 976028 We recently looked into this S&W 38, 5” bbl, nickle, square, 6 shot, serial number 367426
I’m interested to know what the serial number on the butt means with a “star” at the end (see pic) It has a loop attached there also, which covers the middle digits of the serial number on the butt.
Do you know any history on the gun that might explain the star at the end of the serial number on the butt?
Thanks very much. You’re providing a valuable service here.

Click to expand...

Does anyone care to lend a word?

We recently were looking at this S&W 38, K frame, 5” bbl, nickle, fixed sites, diamond cut original grips in excellent condition.
The serial number is: 367426.
There is a loop on the butt which covers the middle three digits of the serial number. There is also a star stamped at the end of the serial number here (see photo)
Does anyone know the significance of the star and the loop?
Thanks for your time and generosity.
KB

Probably a newbie S&W question here but I’ll take the chance.
I’m referring to a 38 nickle, K frame, square bottom, 5” bbl, 6 shot, fixed sight revolver, serial number is: 367426
I would like to know the significance of “the other number” 60452 located inside the yoke. Also the lanyard type loop that’s attached to butt, covering three of the middle serial numbers, plus the addition of a star stamped at the end of the SS #.
Thanks up front for anyone with time and info.
KB

You have a .38 Hand Ejector, Military and Police, probably made in the 1920s, even the teens.
The star shows it has been back to the factory for some service or modification. The nickel is so bright I assume it included a refinish and not much use since then.
The lanyard loop was likely added at the time; an original installation would have had the serial number offset from the pin.
It also likely got the Magna grips at the time, they are newer than the revolver.
There might be a date code on the side of the grip frame under the grips, showing when it was refurbished at the factory.
The number under the yoke is a "fitting number" used to keep parts together at the factory. No record was kept after the gun was completed and it is now meaningless.

Here is a new one, coming from a seller here on the forum.

a) .32 S&W Long
b) 2"
c) Round
d) Six
e) Fixed
f) 796,xxx
g) 30-1

I know that it is .32 Hand Ejector, Model 30-1. A perfect companion for my 4" .32 Regulation Police Model 31-1. Seller thinks SN places it around 1971, but I am thinking earlier since H prefix began in 1969.

Hello,

I'm trying to locate information on my Great Grandfathers S & W revolver.

Here is info. I have:
38 special caliber
4 inch Barrell
Round grip
Fixed blade front sight
6 shot

Serial number from bottom of grip:. 128052

Pics attached.

Thank you.

Bought this at a gun show a few years back. Nightstand weapon. Tis a shooter, 85% bluing with mostly holster wear on front sides of barrel.
Excellent lock up, nothing bent or out of wack. Full wood grips. Kept loaded with Winchester Silver Tips.

S & W Model 10 - 6
.38 Spl
4" barrel, blued
Square butt
sn: D925251
fixed sights
D-19 I think

I bought this at a pawn shop a while back. Never have been able to resist buying another S&W.
Any help identifying year and model would be appreciated.

B - 5"
C - Square
D - 6
E - Adjustable
F - S 123763
G - No Model - "S" stamped in yoke- Below that is stamped 3689 3
]

Post-war .38-44 Outdoorsman.
1954-1955.
Matte blue refinish.
Factory 5" barrel uncommon.

Jim Watson said:

Post-war .38-44 Outdoorsman.
1954-1955.
Matte blue refinish.
Factory 5" barrel uncommon.

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Thank you! Thought I knew a bit about S&W but had not heard of Outdoorsman. I'll try to do some research

Outdoorsman is the adjustable sight version of Heavy Duty, the N frame .38 Special family.

.38 Special
3 inch
Square
5 Shot
Fixed Ramp
55J535
Model 36-1

Can you also tell me if the grips are S&W or after market? Thank you.

a) .30
b) 3.5” bbl
c) round grip
d) 5 shot
e) fixed sights
f) 106185
g) Same number is stamped on the butt, under crane and on chambers. On the top of the bbl, the latest reissue date of the patent is Jan 3 ‘82, with a beginning date of Jan 24 ‘65. I’m guessing from the age it’s 1800’s.

What do you guys think? This was my great grandfather’s, passed down to me. Just got it cleaned and spinning again!

Smith and Wesson .32 Double Action, fourth model. Caliber .32 S&W.
Made sometime 1883 - 1898, a Federal law "antique."

Jim Watson said:

Smith and Wesson .32 Double Action, fourth model. Caliber .32 S&W.
Made sometime 1883 - 1898, a Federal law "antique."

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Thanks Jim! I saw a model 3 and figured they were pretty close, but the sizing was a bit off. Good to know.

Can someone provide the DOB for this revolver? Thank you in advance

a) .357 Magnum
b) 4" Barrel
c) Replacement
d) 6
e) Adjustable Rear & Ramp Front
f) K918xxx
g) 19-3