Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

.455 Hunter:
Your Model 657 .41 Magnum Stainless dates to around July 1987. Serial number in the AVBxxxx to AWWxxxx range shipped that month. As the 657 is not the most common firearm, it may have sat on a shelf for a little while befor shipping, so don't pick a day in July to offer it a cake and candles.
The 657 was introduced in 1986 and replaced by the 657-1 in 1988, so 1987 does seem right.

Picked up in trade today--

.357 mag

2.5 in bbl

mod. 19-3

rd butt

6 shot

adjustable rear sight

fixed ramp front sight

ser. 8K873xx

nos. on crane--18033
F15

Have not seen different numbers on crane before.
The 18033 and F15 also appear on side of grip frame.
Yhanks for the help.

silverking:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum dates to 1975. The 18033 & F15 stampings are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun is completed.

Thunder for a Cheif

Traded my Bersa .380 Thunder for a much needed small revolver. Plus a little $$ of course. Just curious as to it's date of mfg.

a). .38 sp.
b). 1 7/8"
c). round butt
d). 5 shot
e). fixed sites
f). ser. # J2456XX
g). #'s on cylinder 276-48

I have my Grandfathers S&W 38 special and wanted more info on it

Serial #= C 337744
Barrel Length = 4"
Material= Steel
Finish = Blue (Fading)
Shots = 6
Sights = Adjustable
Grip = Wood

Tpem:
You have a post war .38 Military & Police revolver manufactured between 1954 & 1956. The sights should be fixed, not adjustable. If they are adjustable please post a pic and I'll try and sort it out. The C prefix was for K (medium) framed fixed sight revolvers. The rear sight should be a simple channel in the top strap, the front sight either a fixed half moon or a fixed serrated ramp.

Jonah71:
Your gun is one of several J frame models. If all steel with an exposed hammer it is a model 36 Chiefs Special. If the frame is aluminum with an exposed hammer it is a model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight. If the hammer is mostly enclosed by a raised hump, with just the tip exposed and it has an alumium frame then it is a Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight. If the hammer is mainly enclosed, with just the tip exposed and it has a steel frame then it is a model 49 Bodyguard.

The numbers on the cylinder are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning once the gun is assembled.

The serial number is the only number that S&W records. In this case it indicates that your gun was manufactured in the period 1973 to 1974. Serial range was J100000 to J250000 for those years, so 1974 seems quite likely.

Thanks Radagast..........looks like a 36 Chiefs Special. Most accurate snubby I've ever had. Will replace my CW 40 as a bug. Much more comfortable with it. After only 150 rounds I already love it.

Hi, maybe you can help.
Just purchased a S&W 22/32 4" blade front sight target rear square butt sn 8833
Thanks,

Finished my Texas CHL today and was given a 38 Bodyguard by my Father In Law as a nice gift. Serial is AFM3XXX . Barrel is not pinned. Cylinder not recessed. Super clean. Looks like it's spent it's life in a holster.
Any help on mfg. date?
Thanks,
Doc

friscolatchi:
Nice find. Without forking out $50 to have Roy Jinks the S&W historian look up the original shipping records you won't get an exact answer. I can give you the following data taken from the Standard Catalog of S&W.

The Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun was manufactured from 1953 to 1969 in the serial rane 101 to 135465.
In 1957 the .22/32 was designated the Model 34. As yours apparently lacks a model number stamped under the cylinder yoke, we can date your gun to the period 1953-57.

Going further, but with less certainty, the upper side plate screw was supposedly deleted in 1955 at serial number 11000 so your gun should date to 1953-1955. The SCSW does state that guns with the upper side plate screw have been reported with higher serial numbers, so this may not be factually correct.

recondoc:
The Model 38 Bodyguard airweight was produced from 1955 to 1988, when it was superceded by the Model 38-1. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that serial numbers in the AFJxxxx range shipped in November 1984 and in the AHAxxxx range in January 1985.
The Model 38 is not the most common of S&W models and this time period predates 'shall issue' CCW so your gun may have sat on the shelf for a while before shipping. So late 84/early 85 seems likely, but not certain.

recondoc:
The Model 38 Bodyguard airweight was produced from 1955 to 1988, when it was superceded by the Model 38-1. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that serial numbers in the AFJxxxx range shipped in November 1984 and in the AHAxxxx range in January 1985.
The Model 38 is not the most common of S&W models and this time period predates 'shall issue' CCW so your gun may have sat on the shelf for a while before shipping. So late 84/early 85 seems likely, but not certain.

Click to expand...

Thanks Radagast: That time frame fits. It turns out that this Bodyguard was originally purchased by my Wife's Grandfather, a San Antonio PD Captain as a backup gun. Since he has now passed, the family got together and decided to pass it on to me since I completed my CHL and it was just sitting in the safe. This thing is so shiny that I would think it new if it weren't for a couple of rub spots where the Bauer Bros hi ride holster has ridden it over the years. Absolutely flawless and fun to shoot. (Not so much with +Ps though)
Doc

Pretty easy:

a. 38spc
b. 4"
c. square
d. 6
e. fixed
f. BDE56xx
g. 64-5

S&W model 34-1

22 lf

unfired in original box awz7xxx

Thanks

Jim

JMusic:
Your Model 34-1 .22/32 kit gun probably dates to late 1987. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes serial numbers in the AWWxxxx range shipping in Jly, and in the AYWxxxx range shipping in December. The Model 34-1 was replaced by the 34-2 in 1988, so late 1987 or early 1988, with 1987 being my bet.
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $425 for ANIB.

wilkenstein:
Your Model 64-5 .38 Military & Police Stainless Heavy barrel dates to early 1989. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes serial numbers in the BDCxxxx range in January and BDSxxxx range in April of that year.

DOB

Hi All

A. .45ACP

B. 5 3/4"

C. Square

D. 6 round cylinder (fluted)

E. Iron rear adjustable elev. & wind.

F. Ser#: N759628 (also 1955 25-2)? (under crane)

G. 25-2 (also under crane)

Numbers also on inside of grips. Half under each grip.
Grips are checkered walnut with S&W logo embedded in right
hand grip.

Thank you
GiL

Thank you much, Radagast.

fortyluv:
The 1955 Model .45 Target Heavy Barrel was introduced in 1955. In 1957 model numbers were introduced and the 1955 Model became the Model 25. Early production guns had the barrel stamped ".45 CAL. MODEL 1955".
In 1961 there was an engineering change, with the deletion of a screw in front of the trigger guard. This was the Model 25-2.
In 1979 the 6 inch barrel became the standard production length, prior to that the lngth was 6.5 inches. If you measure from the forcing cone in front of the cylinder to the muzzle you will probably find your gun has a barrel with one of those two lengths.
Your gun should date to 1980.

Thank you much Radagast

As I am sure you have already ascertained, my knowledge of guns is considerably less than my ability to shoot them.

Barrel length: I just measured (again). From the muzzle to the near end of the forcing cone - 5 1/2"
From the muzzle to the far end of the forcing cone(for all practical purposes)flush with the front of the cylinder - 5 3/4".I purchased the gun nib in late 1980.
I have never had a problem with this gun. A great shooter with an unbelievable out of the box trigger. I am just stumped by all the comments about 6 and 6 1/2" barrel lengths. I guess I just wound up with the "runt" of S&W's 1980 run of 1955 25-2's.

Again. Thank you for the info and DOB confirmation.

fortyluv:
Interesting. As long as it shoots well for you I guess that's all that really matters.

Radagast,

Thanks. I finally picked up the 22/32 tonight and gave it a good look over. You are right on with your analysis. There are 3 screws on t he side plate that I can see without taking off the grips. There is a screw at the upper end of the plate located below the sight and behind the cylinder. My problem is that I believe that this gun was never shot. There is absolutely no residue and the cyl and barrel are as smooth as a baby's behind. the question is, do I shoot it? It really looks brand new. I"m sure that this is a discussion for a new thread.
Thanks again for your help. Regards, Frisco.

PS there is absolutely no wear on the finish.

Friscolatchi:
Only you can make that call. Personally I would shoot it, but that's because I am a shooter, not a collector. I would certainly take care of it, but I wouldn't fuss about it too much, as there were some 135465 kit guns produced, so it isn't a great rarity.
Of course, if you gave me a new in the box registered magnum( $15,000 plus value) I would certainly shoot it, just to add it to my list of >70 handguns shot. so I'm not your best source of advice on that.
If you go to http://smith-wessonforum.com/ you may get a better idea of value and collectability.

Radagast,

Thanks for the advice and your time. You are doing a great service.

S&W "ATF" serial number on Chiefs special model 36

.38 S&W Chiefs special model 36 with 3" barrel (I think)

This gun was handed down to me. It was my grandfathers gun, and he was a policeman for a while. Not sure if he carried it as a cop.

a) .38 special caliber
b) 3 " bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) Square grips shape (round or square)
d) 5 shots/cylinder bores
e) fixed sights. Front is ramp, not half moon
f) ATF-2600-xxx on the butt serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip
g) Model number if it is under the crane. No model #

Serial #


Gun


Filed off areas


Any idea about the ATF serial number? Since the numbers were filed off, could the ATF have re-serialized the gun?

reprosser:
An interesting piece. I would say it is a gun with a new serial number. If you take off the grips there is a chance that the original serial number is penciled on the inside of one of them. Of course, the grips may not be original to the gun.
The standard cylinder release latch makes the gun a post 1966 model, prior to that they were flat. The uncheckered diamond around the grip screws makes it a 1968 or earlier model, assuming the grips are original.

In 1967 the Model 67-1 was introduced, being the 3 inch heavy barrel variant. I've not seen a heavy barrel and tapered barrel three inch gun together to be able to tell you which one you have, I'm inclined to think it is the standard barrel version.
So my semi educated guess / glorified opinion is that you have a Model 36 Chiefs Special from 1966 or 1967.

The model stamping should have been on the frame where it is covered by the cylinder yoke, often there would be an assembly number on the inside of the yoke. Both have been ground off on your gun.

As the serial number has been defaced I would contact the ATF and find out their policy on issuing 'replacement' serial numbers to make sure you are in the clear legally, as guns with defaced serial numbers are contraband.
ATFxxxx as a serial number range would not have been used by S&W until 1987, and the Standard Catalog of S&W does not list any ATF serial numbers. Possibly ATFxxxx was reserved for this purpose?

Do let us know if you do find out anything else.