38 special
5 in. Barrel
6 shot
Fixed sights
Square butt
Sn# C451479
 

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38 special
5 in. Barrel
6 shot
Fixed sights
Square butt
Sn# C451479
SN is in the 1960 range, looks like a Model 10-1. Pictures could be better; is there a screw in front of the trigger guard in the frame? Looks like a 6" barrel; did you measure from the front edge of the cylinder? Is anything stamped in the yoke cutout on the frame?
The M10, M11, M12 look alike; the early M11 was for export and are very rare in the US, the M12 has an alloy frame and cylinder (later changed to a steel cylinder). Any M12 gun with the aluminum cylinder should not be shot, as they were very prone to cracking.
 
Smith & Wesson 38, 5” bbl, K-Frame, nickel, sight fixed, Square Butt, 6 Shot
SN# 367426
Number stamp inside yoke swing out...
What is the loop attached through center of stamped number on butt?
No S&W logo stamped on right side behind the cylinder?

How to locate date of production, Model Number..?
Thanks so very much for your kindness and knowledge.
sidearm38
 

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Thank you for your time and generosity.. I found the Jim Watson post/answers after I asked same question again. Can you say “newbie”?
sidearm38


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.
 
SN is in the 1960 range, looks like a Model 10-1. Pictures could be better; is there a screw in front of the trigger guard in the frame? Looks like a 6" barrel; did you measure from the front edge of the cylinder? Is anything stamped in the yoke cutout on the frame?
The M10, M11, M12 look alike; the early M11 was for export and are very rare in the US, the M12 has an alloy frame and cylinder (later changed to a steel cylinder). Any M12 gun with the aluminum cylinder should not be shot, as they were very prone to cracking.
Thank you so much for all the help. I will take more pics and post. I did notice a different sn# on the inside of the crane versus whats on the frame. Also it does say model 10 on the opposite side of the crane.
 
Thank you so much for all the help. I will take more pics and post. I did notice a different sn# on the inside of the crane versus whats on the frame. Also it does say model 10 on the opposite side of the crane.
The SN on the base of the grip frame is the serial number. Some models did not stamp it inside the yoke cut; if is is inside the yoke cut, it will be just above the model number stamping and will be the same as the one on the base of the grip frame. Any other numbers in that area are production numbers (usually 4-5 digits with no letter), to keep individual parts fitted to a particular frame together as they moved along the assembly and fitting line. Is there a "dash- number" next to the Model 10 stamping, such as 10-1, 10-2, etc? If no dash numbers yours is a first engineering series collectors call a "no-dash". Each major engineering change of a model will dictate a dash number added. Some dash series lasted many years of production with many thousands of that model produced; other dash numbers lasted as little as a year, with many fewer examples made. They have an inherently greater value because fewer of them exists, although it may be impossible to see the differences between different dash number guns of the same model.
 
I bought a S&W Model 36 (No Dash) yesterday for $440 with 70 rounds of ammo, 2 speed loaders and a speed strip, original grips and a $129 pair of Eagle grips included. It appears to be in very good condition. Could someone provide info on the production date? I'm trying to narrow it down to a a specific year which I think is either 1967 or 1968. Also, what would the approximate value of the revolver alone be worth? It did not include paperwork or the original box. The inside of the right grip has the number 274729 stamped on it. Side note: The cocked hammer in the picture is pulled back on an empty cylinder. Not all of the pictures were taken with loaded chambers. m36.1.JPG m36.2.JPG m36.3.JPG m36.4.JPG m36.5.JPG m36.6.JPG m36.7.JPG

.38 SPL
1 7/8" BBL
Round Butt
5 Shot
Blued
Model 36 (No Dash)
Serial #: 764585 (No Letters in the #)
 
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SN is in the 1960 range, looks like a Model 10-1. Pictures could be better; is there a screw in front of the trigger guard in the frame? Looks like a 6" barrel; did you measure from the front edge of the cylinder? Is anything stamped in the yoke cutout on the frame?
The M10, M11, M12 look alike; the early M11 was for export and are very rare in the US, the M12 has an alloy frame and cylinder (later changed to a steel cylinder). Any M12 gun with the aluminum cylinder should not be shot, as they were very prone to cracking.
Thanks for all the info. I'm posting more pics if this will help identify.
 
Thanks for all the info. I'm posting more pics if this will help identify.
Best I can come up with is a Model 10 (no dash), 6" tapered barrel (measure it from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle to be sure, but looks like 6"), 4 screw variation (3 in the side plate + the trigger guard). earliest M10's were 5 screw (additional side plate screw at the top near the rear sight), later models after 1962 are 3-screw (dropped the trigger guard screw). Your SN indicates a 1960 mfg date, but the M10-1 was released in 1959, so yours is a late version no-dash, maybe a transition model or a mis-stamped dash-1. A transition model would have engineering changes from the next dash series, but either not all of them, or retain older features that were deleted or changed in the next series.

If you plan to keep this gun, it might be worth getting a letter on it from SWHS (Smith & Wesson Historical Society). Dr. Jinks can research the gun from records and give you any pertinent info, and tell you when it was first sold, which will narrow the date considerably. It's not free, the letter is $100 and takes a couple of months to get. You can go to the S&W forum to get the info for the letter.
Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation (smith-wessonforum.com) You may have to register (like you did for this forum) in order to get the info.
 
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Smith & Wesson 38, 5” bbl, K-Frame, nickel, sight fixed, Square Butt, 6 Shot
SN# 367426
Number stamp inside yoke swing out...
What is the loop attached through center of stamped number on butt?
No S&W logo stamped on right side behind the cylinder?

How to locate date of production, Model Number..?
Thanks so very much for your kindness and knowledge.
sidearm38
I think what you have there is a nickel plated 6" barrel .38 Military and Police Model of 1905, 4th Change. Your serial number (stamped on the rear face of the cylinder as well as on the bottom of the grip frame) indicates this, but the manufacture date could be from 1915 to 1942 The SN range for this model is 241704 to 700000, and yours would probably fall in the earlier dates, say around 1920-25. Yours has 5 screws, tapered barrel, and the gizmo on the butt you asked about is a lanyard ring, usually installed on military issues. The number inside the yoke cut is a production number and has nothing to do with the SN. Your logo is on the left side, below the cylinder release. In addition, the star on the bottom at the end of the SN, indicates a factory rework; the gun at some point was returned to the factory for anything from replating to internal modifications or repairs. The date of the rework should be stamped on the side of the grip frame near the butt, it requires removing the stocks to see it. There may be other stampings there of interest. Take care if you try to remove the stocks, do not pry them off, you'll scratch the frame. The rework date would be a 3 or 4 digit number, like 227; that would be Feb of 1927; 1029 would be Oct. 1929, etc. The barrel length is measured from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle, looks like 6" to me, but measure to be sure. As for model number, this gun is too old for model numbering, it has a name, as stated above. This is the precursor to the Model 10, but isn't called a "pre Model 10", too old even for that. Your gun should also have a hardened cylinder; those came along somewhere in the 316xxx range, but I would not use anything beyond standard .38 Spl loads (no +P)

A letter from SWHF would be much more specific
 
Got an chopped N frame. Model 25-2 so 45 ACP. Cut barrel but originally 6 or 6 1/2”. Currently round butted, originally square. Serial number is N67297.

AA7B7051-DE19-4FE9-BF51-7A318D4B14C7.jpeg 91E63278-AA9B-436A-BD7C-F55EE32F2458.jpeg FED27445-8593-477F-82B8-5C4ECEE1B7C2.jpeg

Thank you.

Kevin
 
Would appreciate a manufacture year for a S&W Model 67 no dash serial number 5K1927. It has a 4” barrel and the matching serial number is on the inside of the right grip. The rear stainless sight has been replaced by a blued sight and the front sight has no red insert.
9D98A01B-FDB8-48AB-996B-A7CBC1957115.jpeg 9D98A01B-FDB8-48AB-996B-A7CBC1957115.jpeg
 
Hello,

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

Does anyone know the date of manufactuer for this 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 in advance. 918976-329e0b32f6d3441e057aa3af851609ce.jpg 918975-d5911819ff28ad7bd6d6cb69abc83cc3.jpg PXL_20210208_204216021.jpg
 
45acp
1955
N frame
6.5" barrel
Serial number S 1595xx

38spl
pre model 14?
k frame sq butt
6" barrel
Serial number K 1389xx

Thank you.
 
Here's some useful information I found researching my revolver.

Pre-War N frame.

Year/Beginning Serial

1908….. 1
1909….. 2050
1910….. 5000
1911….. 7050
1912….. 9100
1913….. 11150
1914….. 13200
1915….. 15250
1916….. 15500
1917….. 16000
1918-1919 None
1920….. 16200
1921….. 16300
1922….. 18400
1923….. 19600
1924….. 20800
1925….. 22000
1926….. 25000
1927….. 28500
1928….. 29500
1928….. 29500
1929….. 30000
1930….. 34000
1931….. 36000
1932….. 38375
1933….. 41200
1934….. 43350
1935….. 45500
1936….. 47200
1937….. 48700
1938….. 52000
1939….. 57200
1940….. 59000
1941….. 62350
1942-1945 None

Post-War S Series N frames:

S62,489 — S67,999……....1946 - Early 1947
S68,000 — S71,999……….Late 1947 — Early 1948
S72,000 — S72,499……….Late 1948 - Early 1949
S72,500 — S74,999……….Late 1949 — Early 1950
S75,000 — S80,499……….Late 1950 — Early 1951
S80,500 — S85,999……….Late 1952 — Early 1952
S86,000 — S94,999…….…Late 1952 — Early 1953
S95,000 — S102,999……...Late 1953 — Early 1954
S103,000 — S139,999…….Late 1954 — Early 1955*
S140,000 — S149,999…....Late 1955 — Early 1956
S150,000 — S175,999……Late 1956 — Early 1957
S176,000 — S181,999……Late 1957 — Early 1958
S182,000 — S194,499……Late 1958 — Early 1959
S194,500 — S206.999……Late 1959 — Early 1960
S207,000 — S219,999……Late 1960 — Early 1961
S220,000 — S227,999……Late 1961 — Early 1962
S228,000 — S231,999……Late 1962 — Early 1963
S232,000 — S235.999……Late 1963 — Early 1964
S236,000 — S257,999……Late 1964 — Early 1965
S258,000 — S261,999……Late 1965 — Early 1966
S262,000 — S289,999……Late 1966 — Early 1967
S290,000 — S304,999……Late 1967 — Early 1968
S305,000 — S329,999……Late 1968 — Early 1969
S330,000 — S333,454……Late 1969 — Early 1970

*Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case. In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958. It's possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. It at least one case a gun has a 5-screw serial and was built as a 4-screw gun.


N Series N Frames:

N1 — N60,000…………........1970-72
N60,001 — N 190,000…......1972-74
N190,001 — N430,000….....1975 — 77
N430.001 — N 550,000…....1978
N550,001 — N580,000….. ..1979
N580,001 — N790,000….....1980
N790,001 — N932,999...…..1980-83

Post-War S Series K Frames:

S811,120 — S999,999…….1946 — 48

C Series K Frames: (Fixed Sight Models)

C1 - C233,999………….....1948 — 52
C236,004 — C261,483…….1953
C277,555 — C314,031….…1954 — 56
C402,924 — C405,018…….1957
C405,019 — C429,740…....1958 — 59
C429,741 — C474,148…….1960
C474,149 — C622,699…….1961 — 62
C622,700 — C810,532…….1963 — 65
C810,533 — C999,999….....1966 — 67

D Series K Frames: (Fixed Sight Models)

D1 — D90,000……………......1968
D90,001 — D330,000…….....1969 -70
D330,001 — D420,000………1971 — Early 72
D420,001 — D510,000………Late 1972 — Early 73
D510,001 — D659,901………Late 1973 — Early 1974
D659.902 — D75000………...Late 1974 — Early 1975
D750,001 — D870,000………Late 1975 — Early 1976
D870,001 — D999,999………Late 1976 — Early 1977
2D00001 - 2D80,000……….1977
2D80,001 — 2D99,999………1978
4D00001 — 6D10,000……….1979
6D10,0001 — 7D10,000……..1980
7D10,001 — 9D44,500…........1981
9D44,501 — 17D8,900………1982
17D8,901 — 21D0883……….1983

K Series K Frames (Adjustable Sight Models)

K101 — K614……………......1946
K615 — K18,731………….....1947
K18,732 — K73,121……..….1948
K73,122 — K84,149……..….1949
K84,150 — K104,047…........1950
K104,048 — K136,690.........1951
K136,691 — K175,637.........1952
K175,638 — K210,095.........1953
K210,096 — K231,255.........1954
K231,256 — K266,154.........1955
K266,155 — K288,988.........1956
K288,989 — K317,822.........1957
K317,823 — K350,547.........1958
K350,548 — K386,804.........1959
K386,805 — K429,894.........1960
K429,895 — K468,098.........1961
K468,099 — K515,478.........1962
K515,479 — K553,999.........1963
K555,000 — K605.877.........1964
K605,878 — K658.986.........1965
K658,987 — K715,996.........1966
K715,997 — K779.162.........1967
K779,163 — K848,781.........1968
K848,782 — K946,391.........1969
K946,382 — K999,999.........1970
1K1 — 1K39,500..................1970
2K1 — 2K22.037..................1970
1K39,501 — 1K999,999.......1971
2K22,038 — 2K55,996.........1971
3K1 — 3K73,962..................1971
2K55,997 — 2K99,999.........1972
3K31,280 — 5K6,616...........1972
4K1 — 4K1,627....................1972
4K1,628 — 4K54,104...........1973
5K6,617 — 5K73,962...........1973
4K54,105 — 4K99,999.........1974
5K73,963 — 6K58,917.........1974
7K1 — 7K26,043..................1974
7K26,044 — 7K70,577.........1975
6K98,918 — 8K20,763.........1975
8K20,764 — 9K1..................1975
8K20,000 — 9K100,000.......1975
9K1,001 — 9K99,999...........1976
10K001 — 24K9,999............1977
25K001 — 56K9,999............1978 — 79
57K001 — 91K6,800............1980
91K6,801 — 124K000...........1981
125K000 — 269K9,999.........1982
270K000 — 311K273............1983

1980 Three-Letter Prefix Series Begins at AAA000

Early J frame serial numbers for models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions.

1950 = start at 1
1952 = 7369 - 21342
1953 = 28916
1955 = 55050 - 75000
1957 = 117770 - 125000
1962 = starts at 295000
1969 = ends at 786544

J serial Prefix serial numbers.
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.

1969-1970 = J1 - J99999
1971-1972 = 1J1 - 999J99
1973-1974 = J100000 - J250000
1975-1976 = J250001 - J370000
1976-1977 = J370001 - J610000
1977-1978 = J610001 - J670000
1979-1980 = J670001 - J760000
1981 = J760001 - J915400
1982 = J915401 - 1J18600
1983 = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX

1955 - 4 screw side plate ends
1957 - stamping of model number at 125000
1966 - flat latch ends
1968 - diamond grips end
1975 - heavy barrel standard
1982 - end pinned barrel
 
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