Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

arizonaborn63:
HB means heavy barrel. the -8 in the model number refers to a change in the heavy barrel variant introduced in 1977. The 8Dxxxxx serial range was manufactured during 1981.
The Model 10 .38 Military & Police has been in production since 1899 in one variation or another with over four million made. For many years it was the standard police issue revolver in the USA and much of the western world. Here in Australia the last state police department is in the process of transferring from the S&W M&P revolver to the M&P pistol, its probably stil an issue weapon in other nations.
Value is not high, due to the vast numbers out there. In very good to excellent condition between $250 & $350.
Built on S&Ws K frame, replacement grips and parts are readily available, you will need to verify if you have a round or square butt if you want to change the grips.

Hello ,
I just purchased a S&W 15-3 this weekend and would like to know its DOB .
Blued
4in. Bbl.
Adj. rear sight
Square Butt
Walnut Magnas
6 shot
Ser#. 8K91004
Thanks in advance for your reply,
Shawn

Anyone know when a model 15, number K561xx was made?
Thanks

Anyone know when a model 15, number K561xx was made?

Click to expand...

First year production, made in 1948

Wow, first time on this page (been spending my time over on the blackpowder page); and already you've got a way to answer long-time questions, right here!

1st Smith - "THE SWEET ONE":
a) .357
b) 4"
c) Square butt; was wearing Magna Grips, now wears on MonoGrip in Goncalo Alves
d) 6
e) fixed sights
f) 17D42xx
g) Model 13-3


2nd - "ELMER", "THE WRIST BREAKER", "THE B*TCH", etc, etc, etc; depending on my mood after shooting it.

a) .44 Rem Mag
b) 4"
c) square butt
d) 6
e) Front: fixed, orange insert. Rear: Adjustable for W/E.
f) N9494xx
g) Mdl 629-1 (also has the S/N stamped above the model number on the crane, as well as on the grip frame)
This one has a couple of other "features":
1/4"-wide target trigger, extra-giant target hammer spur upon which one could land a small (Hughes 300-class) helicopter (a Huey or Blackhawk might be a tight fit); grooved rear strap on the grip frame, and originally stocked with the factory big fat target grips with checkering buried under maybe 1/8" of varnish/urethane. Now it wears a MonoGrip in cocobolo.

Both guns were purchased used - the only guns I've owned since new are my BP Remington NMA's and the Marlin .22 my Dad bought for my 12th birthday. The M13 has an exemplary rendition of K-frame lockwork; loved it so much that it overcame my dislike for the bright-nickle finish and I took it home. It put the Mdl 19's I was handling to shame.

The .44, not so much. Very typical "production line" gun. Lockwork doesn't offer a satisfying "click-snick" sound or feel; more like "clunk-clunk". I've smoothed it up a little (very little); but it sure ain't no K-Frame!

Looking for age and any recall info; and thanks!

YumaKid:
The SWEET ONE: a Model 13-3 .357 Magnum Military & Police Heavy Barrel manufactured in 1982.

ELMER: The Model 629-1 .44 Magnum Stainless was manufactured between 1982 & 1988.
Product code 103603, specification 4 inch barrel, stainless, target stocks, target hammer, combat trigger, red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight was manufactured between 1984 & 1995.
The N9xxxxx serial range was used between 1982 & 1986, ending in the N97xxxx range.
So 1984 to 1986 is the best I can give you.


Shawn Grear:
Your Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1975.

countryjew:
If your gun is marked Model 15 then the serial number is incorrect.
Between 1948 & 1956 the gun was produced as the Combat Masterpiece and there was no model number stamped under the crane.
If your gun has a serial number of K561xx and no model number, then Old Fuff is correct (as usual) and you have a Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1948.

If your gun has Model 15 stamped under the crane, then it is from 1957 or later, as that is the year model numbers were introduced. Possibly it is a Model 15-2 and has a serial number K561xxx (six digits)? If this is the case then it was manufactured in 1964.

a) .22lr
b) 4"
c) Square butt
d) 6
e) adj. sights
f) m791xx
g) Model 43

pabner:
Your Model 43 .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight was manufactured in 1973 or 1974.
The serial range M60001 to M99999 was used between 1973 & 1977,the Model 43 was discontinued in 1974.

Hi guys, I just purchased a Mod 58, no dashes or numbers after that, serial #s260073, 41 mag,4in bar. What can anyone tell me about it and thanks in advance? Also what frame is this?

Bmont2409:
The Model 58 .41 Magnum Military & Police was manufactured on the N frame from 1964 to 1977. They were not very popular, with only 20287 manufactured over a 14 year period. Your gun was manufacrtured in 1965 or 1966. Serial range for those years was S258000 to S261999.

Gun writer Frank James is a fan of them and has his own blog: http://frankwjames.blogspot.com/ Reading through the archives may turn up some info for you.

Thanks Radagast, I appreciate the info.

357 magnum
3"
Round
6 shot
Fixed
ANR25XX
65-3

Picked up a Model 15 today. Serial is K3312XX. Any idea when it was made?
It's also stamped M00-15 under the serial number.

rromeo:
Your Model 65-3 .357 magnum Military & Police Stainless heavy barrel was manufactured between November 1985 (ALCxxxx) & July 1987 (AVBxxxx). There is a gap in the serial number ranges in the Standard Catalog of S&W, so I can't give you an exact year, but my guesstimate is the first half of 1986.

dasmi:
Your Model 15 Combat Masterpiece dates to 1958. Serial range for that year was K317823 to K350547. Model numbers were introduced in 1957, before that the gun was simply the Combat Masterpiece from its introduction in 1948. It looks like someone in the factory was still not up to speed on this if they stamped it Model 00-15 under the crane. If that stamping is on the bottom of the grip frame then it isn't a factory stamping.

The Model M00-15 stamp is indeed under the crane, just below the serial number.

A new old S&W .357 ,never fired.

Hey buddy, I just picked up a unfired 'No Keyhole' Stainless Smith & Wessson at a Traiders Fair...but no old box or papers. Can you tell me the age?

A. .357
B. 2 1/2 ,full under lug.
C. round butt ( but someone put square style pachmyer grips & wood on)
D. 6 shot
E. Adjustable rear sight . (FRONT has orange Square-ish inset )
F. BNZ5446
G. Mod-686-3 (on the inside of crane itself it has: 204 )

also it has the firing pin ON the hammer. Full under barrel lug, (with 2 pins for ejector rod Spring?).
Thanks, if anyone knows it would be You. ....,Steve ,'the Zombie'.

a) .38
b) 1 3/4"
c) round
d) 5
e) fixed
f) 6032XX
g) Model 37

Skull-ring:
Your Model 686-3 Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in early 1993. Serial numbers in the BNWxxxx range shipped in March of that year. The 686-3 with 2.5 inch barrel was produced between 1990 & 1993. The hammer mounted firing pin was replaced by the frame mounted firing pij with the 686-5 in 1997, the internal lock with the 686-6 in 2001. The standard grips were walnut until the 686-4 in 1993, when a Hogue grip was introduced, so the Pachmayers on your gun are after market.

sef650:
Your Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight was produced some time between 1962 & 1969. If the cylinder release latch is flat then it is from 1962 to 1966. If concave then 1966 to 1969. If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then the gun is from 1968 or earlier. If the checkering runs up to the grip screws then 1968 or later. Unfortunately the Standard Catalog of S&W does not give a year to year break down of serial numbers for that period. The serial range ran from 295000 to 786544 between 1962 & 1969.

good trade?

a) 44 mag
b) 4 in
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) ajustable
f) serial #afm0623
g) 689?
i just traded my sig 232 , 300 rds of .380 and a 100 bucks for this firearm did i get the better deal ? is it worth it to get the "letter" from S&W for it , does it add to the worthof the firearm?

a) 38 SPL
b) 2"
c) round butt
d) 6
e) fixed
f) x xxx xxx
g) 12-2

The only thing I don't know about it is the age.

I was just shopping in my Buddy's hardware store/Gun shop for an actual hardware reason and the m12 was just sitting there. He is a Hardware guy that just happens own a gun store. He knows very little about old guns and he didn't know what he had and neither did the woman that sold it.

He bought it for $250 and sold it to me for $350. I told him what it was and he said "As long as I'm in the green I'm happy." He had no problem with the price.

Got another one yesterday

a) .357 mag
b) 2 1/2"
c) round
d) 6 shot
e) adj sights (red ramp front)
f) 80K19xx
g) 66-1

Now I have a Model 66 in 6", 4" and 2 1/2". All I need now is that elusive 3" to complete the set

squarles67:
Your Model 66-1 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in in 1980. \

mesinge2:
Your Model 12-2 .38 Military & Police Airweight was manufactured in 1976 or 1977. Serial range was D87001 to D999999. As the 12-3 was introduced in 1977, I expect 1976 was the year of manufacture.
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $375 in very good condition and $470 for ANIB. That's a nice find.

kmtirish:
Your gun is a Model 629 .44 Magnum Stainless dating to late 1984 or early 1985. A letter only adds value if it proves it to be a special order gun or connected to a historical person or event. In your case this is highly unlikely as it is a recent mass produced gun.
As an early 629 it lacks the 'endurance package' engineering changes introduced in 1989. Constant use of full house magnums may lead to timing issues. Most people can't afford and don't enjoy high round count range sessions with .44 magnums, so i doubt it will be an issue for you.
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $525 in excellent condition, so I think you made a fair trade.
If it turns out you enjoy shooting the 629 more than the 232 then you are definitely ahead in the game.

right on

thanks for all the info taking it to the range in the am ill let you know

Brilliant. You Sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks.