Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

I just got a new SW revolver and want to know what year is it.

Model 38 - Airweight
Caliber: 38
Blued
Round Butt
Fixed sights
1 7/8" barrel
Serial number: J6878xx

Thanks in advance

boatingboy:
The Standard Catalog of S&W does not give a year to year breakdown for that model. The best I can give you is it falls between 1966 (serial number 392778) & 1969 (serial number 786544).
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the screws, then 1966-1968. If original and no diamond, then 1968-1969.
My guesstimate would be 1968 or 1969. If production was averaged over those years, then 1968 would apply. Demand for concealable pistols would have been spiking due to rioting during that period, so I doubt it was that steady.

I have a s&w springfield double action 32s revolver. 5 shot, 2-3 inch barrel length. s# 294861 found on the butt of the gun and on the spindle. Can you help me find the year it was made and manufacturer?
thanks,Tim

DENISE PICKENS:
You have a .32 S&W Double Action 5th Model manufactured in the serial range 283000-327641 between 1909 & 1919. Assuming a fairly constant production rate, then your gun was probably made in 1911, although it could fall a year to either side.

Originally a black powder design, S&W started advertising their guns as safe for smokeless powder in 1906 or 1908. Either way, your gun falls past those dates and should be safe with current commercial ammunition.
Caliber is .32 S&W, NOT .32 S&W Long, which is much more common these days.
Treat it as a 4 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.
There are no new spare parts and few gunsmiths willing to work on these old guns. Don't dry fire it and be sensible with the amount of shooting you do. Although very well made, they were not built with high round counts in mind.

Your pic in the other thread show what appear to be pearl handle grips. These are actual mother of pearl shell, ground to shape. No one makes them these days. if the grips are true ivory, then they are probably worth as much as the gun.

Hello, I have S&W 686 no dash, 6 shot, 357 Mag, Distinguished Combat Magnum Serial No. AAR15XX can I get some info on DOB, thanks very much

Snake Plisskin:
Your Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1982. It is subject to a recall. With some magnum ammo there is the possibility the primer will flow back into the firing pin bushing, locking up the cylinder. Under the terms of the recall, S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing. If you want to have your gun modified call S&W customer service and they will send you a shipping label.
If the gun has already been modified there will be an M stamped in the cylinder yoke cut out, near the serial number.

Airweight BodyGuard Model 638-3

Radagast, I have a S&W Model 638-3 with serial # DCN1xxx on the frame under the crane and on the bottom of the butt. On the crane itself is 712. It has a 2" barrel and round butt, with fat black rubber grips. The barrel and cylinder are stainless steel, and the grip and frame appear to be aluminum alloy.

Could you please furnish the date of manufacture ?

Thanks.

.38 Model 60 - Chief Special

I got my first S&W a couple of years ago for about 225$ from a friend and I love it. I am interested in D.O.B. and any interesting info, if you guys could help.

Model 60
Caliber: 38
Stainless Finish
Round Butt
Fixed sights
1 7/8" barrel
Serial number: AHF14XX
*inside the yoke has 759X1

Thanks in advance

.38 SPL Chief Special

I got my first S&W a couple of years ago for about 225$ from a friend and I love it. I am interested in D.O.B. and any interesting info, if you guys could help.

Model 60
Caliber: 38
Stainless Finish
Round Butt
Fixed sights
1 7/8" barrel
Serial number: AHF14XX

Thanks in advance

Danielin803:
Your Model 60 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured in 1985.
Round butt, J frame aftermarket grips will fit. Any commercial standard pressure or PlusP rated ammunition will be safe to shoot in it.

Gun Master:
Your Model 638-3 was manufactured in 2008.

S&w 638-3

Radagast said:

Gun Master:
Your Model 638-3 was manufactured in 2008.

Click to expand...

Thank you, Radagast, very much.

Escape From New York

Snake Plisskin said:

Hello, I have S&W 686 no dash, 6 shot, 357 Mag, Distinguished Combat Magnum Serial No. AAR15XX can I get some info on DOB, thanks very much

Click to expand...

Is that the gun you used when you escaped from New York ? - Santa

Nope. He used a Model 67. In Escape From L.A. he used a pair of Model 629s.

Thank you for doing this. I appreciate your time.

.38 Special CTG
4"
Square Butt
6 shot
fixed sights
D4446xx
10-6
Nickel finish, i think.

Again, thank you!

DSCR:
Your gun is actually a Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police, as it has a tapered barrel. The 10-6 was the heavy barrel variant. It may have been re-barreled, or it may be a factory mis-stamp. The finish is probably factory nickel, an aftermarket plating job will usually see the hammer & trigger done as well. S&W did not offer a chrome plated gun. The gun has a square butt K frame if you want to find aftermarket grips. It should be safe to shoot with any standard pressure or PlusP rated commercial ammunition.
The year of manufacture was 1972.

Awesome!

Thank you very much!

DSCR:
It also has an aftermarket trigger shoe fitted. This suggests it saw range use rather than being carried.

Model 66
A) .357
B) 4"
C) Square
D) 6-shot
E) 2 numbers one on crane one on frame. Crane: 27374 Frame: 7K73299
F) Mod 66 and also says CS19

I have a S&W revolver that I bought about thirty (?) years ago and have not fired it until this week. It was said to be a police department trade-in. Not sure, but I seem to recall it being from the Philadelphia PD.

I don't know the model, but it looks like a Model 10 to me.

a. .38 special
b. 4 inches
c. square grip
d. six shots
e. fixed sights
f. C 71353
g. Model 10 (?)

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks from a newbie.

HogBob:
You have a pre-Model 10, the the .38 Military & Police Postwar, manufactured between 1948 & 1951 in the serial range C1 to C223998. So 1949 is most likely for the year of manufacture. Model numbers were not introduced until 1957.

TwoWheelFiend:
Your Model 66 .357 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1975.
27374 is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. it is not recorded after the gun is assembled.
7K73299 is the serial number, the K indicates a K (medium) frame with adjustable sights.
CS19 is probably another assembly number especially if stamped, if it looks like it was electro-penciled or engraved, then it may be a departmental number.

Many thanks, Radagast. I certainly appreciate the help.

2 - .38 specials

Caliber - .38 special
barrel length - 4" tapered barrel
Grip shape - square
Number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
Type of sights - half round front sight
Serial numbers - both are S859XXX
Model number if it is under the crane -
G1 4 31283
A 2 24316


The story I was given is they were purchased in Chicago in the late 40's by my grandfather. $50 for both pistols and a box of shells. He kept them under the counter at his two liquor stores in 1951. I have cell phone pictures if it helps. They are in rough shape, but I'm trying to clean them up. I shot them as a kid and one day god willing I'll have kids and they can shoot them too.

Battle Scarred S&W's

cparty27 said:

Caliber - .38 special
barrel length - 4" tapered barrel
Grip shape - square
Number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
Type of sights - half round front sight
Serial numbers - both are S859XXX
Model number if it is under the crane -
G1 4 31283
A 2 24316


The story I was given is they were purchased in Chicago in the late 40's by my grandfather. $50 for both pistols and a box of shells. He kept them under the counter at his two liquor stores in 1951. I have cell phone pictures if it helps. They are in rough shape, but I'm trying to clean them up. I shot them as a kid and one day god willing I'll have kids and they can shoot them too.

Click to expand...

So, show us the dirty pictures, please.
These old eyes won't be offended by any old mistreated S&W's.
Thanks.