Age of grandfather's wheelguns? S&W/High Standard

[grimjaw]

My grandfather, who passed away many years ago, left my father two revolvers. One is a High Standard Sentinel, .22LR SA/DA revolver, the other is a S&W 12-3 .38 Special chambered Airweight. Both are pictured below. The S/N on the Sentinel is 8812XX, also has "R-101" stamped above that. S/N on the S&W is 4D400XX. I have no idea about the Sentinel; couldn't find any reference material. Best I can find on the S&W is between 1977-1984, but I could be off even on that. Can anyone be more specific (and point me to the reference you used?)

The Sentinel has wear and blueing is mostly gone, but there's no rust or pitting. The S&W looks excellent. I've fired both. The Sentinel was actually the first wheelgun I ever held or fired. The S&W I fired for the first time last summer. Only put about 50 rounds through it, but two of them were light strikes (ammunition or revolver, not sure, WWB target) I bought another 50 rounds to put through it the rest of the time that I'm home.

jmm

 

[mnrivrat]

Justed grabed an old blue book of gun values and the fixed sight sentinal is listed as 1955 - 56 production. In 57 they went to adjustable sight and called it the Deluxe Sentinel .

 

[MarineTech]

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 2nd edition, the Model 12-3 you have was produced in 1979.

 

[grimjaw]

Much thanks to both.

jmm

 

[Sunray]

Geezuz, but your granddad knew how to look after his stuff. That Smith looks brand new. Nice.
"...ammunition or revolver..." Could be the strain screw needs a tweak. That'd be the screw in the front of the grip frame.
The HS shows normal holster wear. No big deal. I'd guess it was granddad's favourite. This of any use to you?
http://www.gun-data.com/high_standard_1956_1980.htm

 

[grimjaw]

Geezuz, but your granddad knew how to look after his stuff.

If you think that's pretty, you ought to the the Browning shotguns he had, very nice. He also left a Remington 550 .22LR autoloader that outshoots my newer .22's more often that not.

I never got a chance to ask him about the HS before he passed way, but my father apparently shot it alot. It wouldn't surprise me if it used to be a squirrel/rabbit/snake gun back in the day.

Thanks for the reference page, most helpful.

jmm

 

[dogngun]

FWIW, the High Standerd Sentinel listed for $230 in 1983, while the Smith Model 12 listed for $240.

The Sentinel was available with fixed sights, but had a shrouded barrel. I believe yours is an older one. I have handled several of these guns, they are well made and generally shoot very well - a popular hiking/camp gun, and stillvery servicable for either.

Mark