Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[exdetsgt]

This is a .38 Special Chiefs Special, 2" barrel, round butt, checkered walnut grips,
Serial No. 729914.

I think it's manufacture date is between 1957 and 1969, but I'm not at all sure about that.

Any help deeply appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

1957 = 117770-125000
1962 = 295000
1969 = 786544

Seems like probably 1967 or 1968.

rc

 

[George Mabry]

I have a pair of S&Ws that I'd enjoy knowing their DOB.

1. S&W mod. 28-2, 4" barrel, matte finish, square butt, .357 with adjustable sights. Has Highway Patrolman stamped on the right side of the barrel. has seriel number N88740.

2. S&W mod. 10-6, .38 special, blue steel, 4" bull barrel, square butt, fixed sights, has seriel number D355163.

Thank you, George

 

[Radagast]

cyclopshooter:
You have a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured in the serial range 65701 to 144684 between 1915 & 1940.
As S&W managed to pump out 96,000 .38 Military & Police models between 1915 and the end of 1920, and the M&P was out selling the .32-20 at a rate of four to one from 1899 to 1915, I think it's safe to say that your gun dates to the period 1915 to 1920, and probably from 1915-1916.

exdetsgt:
If your gun has a flat cylinder release latch, then it is from 1966 or earlier.

If it has the modern concave cylinder release, the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the screw heads, then 1966 to 1968.

If it has the modern concave cylinder release, the grips are original and are checkered right up to the screw heads, then 1968 to 1969.

 

[Radagast]

George Mabry:
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman Dates to the period 1969 to 1972. Serial range for those years was N1 to N99999, so 1972 seems likely.

Your Model 10-6 .38 Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in the period 1971-72. Serial range for those years was D330001 to D420000, so 1971 seems likely.

 

[George Mabry]

many thanks Radagast

 

[exdetsgt]

Thanks rcmodel and radagast. Very helpful.

 

[Anersons]

S&W .38 Special CTG

My husband inherited a .38 S&W special ctg revolver. The serial is K 217016. 6" barrell. We are trying to find out how old it is and how much it is worth. Any info we would appreciate.

 

[Radagast]

Anersons:
You have a K38 Masterpiece target revolver manufactured in 1954. These were built on S&W's medium K frame with adjustable rear sights.
There was also a K22 & K32 in .22 long rifle and .32 S&W Long to complete the set needed for NRA target shooting competitions.
On the side plate (right hand side of the gun behind the cylinder) there are a number of screws. If there is a screw in the side plate just below and between the rear sight and the hammer then it is a '5 screw gun'. Around 1955 that screw was deleted by S&W, collectors tend to put a higher value on the 5 screw guns than the later 4 & 3 screws.
In 1957 the K38 Masterpiece was designated the Model 14 and is still available today in somewhat modified form as the Model 14 Classic.

Value is closely related to condition. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave the following values:
As new in box $650, Excellent $450, Very good $350, Good $275, Fair $185, Poor $100.
I think today an excellent condition gun will probably go for around $550.

If you want to post a new thread in either the revolver or firearms research subforums with a few photos you will get a better idea of value.

 

[Radagast]

...

 

[mr.e moose]

Hi;I'm looking for info on this revolver.On the barrel it has pat. dates of Feb 6/06 Sept 14/09 and Dec29/14.It is marked 38\380 38 S&Wctg.there is no serial # on the butt but what appears to to be a hole for a lanyard ring.Under the barrel and on the face of the cylinder is the #821064.On the crane there is the #60736.this revolver has a square butt and smooth wood grips and a five screw frame with a pinned barrel.Any help as to model and date of manufacture ?

 

[Radagast]

mr.e moose:
You have a British Service Revolver manufactured between May 1940 & April 1941 when the Lend Lease agreement between Britain & the USA took effect, with guns receiving US Property markings.

Prior to World War II Britain's standard service cartridge was the .38/200, a .380 Revolver round with a 200 grain bullet. The .380 revolver round is the same as the .38 S&W. In 1940 the British & Commonwealth governments ordered a variant of the .38 Miltary & Police Model of 1905 4th Change chambered in .38 S&W instead of the usual .38 Special. This is the British Service Revolver.

S&W delivered these with .38 S&W CTG stamped on the barrel. The owners stamped them with their own markings, and at least with the British revolvers, when sold out of service they were stamped with British proof marks, including .38/.380 marks.

60736 is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. It has no meaning after the gun is assembled and is not recorded by the factory.

821064 is the serial number, it was not uncommon for S&W to stamp this on the barrel and cylinder in addition to the bottom of the grip, it should never have been ground off the grip as it must appear on the frame. I would contact a local gunsmith about getting the number restored on the butt, you may have to get the ATF to ok this. Consider the hassles involved a small price to pay for avoiding the possibility of some small minded official in the future deciding to bust you for having a defaced pistol.

The patent numbers are correct for the design changes brought in by S&W in 1915, including a non positive hammer block safety. The current positive hammer block safety was developed in 1944 after a fatality with a dropped gun. If you keep this gun loaded it would be prudent to leave the chamber under the hammer empty.

A lanyard ring and smooth walnut grips were standard for these guns, Numrich arms should be able to supply you with a second hand lanyard ring if you want one.

A lot of British Service Revolvers were converted to .38 special after the war by boring out the cylinder. The rim end of the .38 S&W case is wider than the .38 Special case, so the .38 special is a loose fit and bulged or split brass can occur. Check if your gun chambers a .38 special. If it does then only shoot standard velocity lead loads through it, no PlusP.

 

[mr.e moose]

Thanks for your help Radagast.

 

[16in50calNavalRifle]

Model 66-2, 4 inch, .38/.357, serial no. AZH 10XX.

BTW - radagast, thanks so much for your help/info via PMs. I went for the Model 66, obviously ....

 

[Rodeo4joe]

a) 38 special
b) 2 inch
c) square
d) 5
e) front blade
f) 93J883
g) model 37

 

[Radagast]

16in50calNavalRifle:
Your Model 66-2 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in early 1988. Serial numbers in the AYMxxxx range shipped in January, in the BBFxxxx range in July. Your gun may be one of the last 66-2s made, as the 66-3 was introduced in 1986, or it may be a mis-stamped 66-3. S&W have in the past managed to screw up their model number stampings on more than one occasion, so I wouldn't fuss about it too much. A minty Model 66 is always a nice thing to find.

Rodeo4joe:
Your Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight dates to 1971or 1972. Having hit J99999 in 1970, S&W 'floated' the J prefix in the serial number for those years, before starting again at J100000 in 1973.

 

[Radagast]

...

 

[MattL]

.32 Hand Ejector

I have a S&w Hand Ejector 6" barrel Blued marked .32 Winchester serial Number 1817X.
It has plastic grips and is in Approximately 95% condition.
I believe this to be a Pre 1916 model 1905.
If anyone has any more info including approximate value I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks

 

[Rodeo4joe]

thanks

 

[Radagast]

MattL:
Your .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 (.32-20 Hand Ejector 3rd Model) was almost certainly manufactured in 1905. The third Model serial range was 18126 to 2426 manufactured in 1905 & 1906.

Value is heavily dependent upon condition. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave the following values: Good $300, Very Good $425, Excellent+ $850, As New in Box: $2000. If you start a new thread in the firearms research subforum and post some decent resolution pics you should get some informed answers as to condition and value.

Some warnings.
1) Your gun predates the internal hammer block safety. If kept loaded or carried the chamber under the hammer should be left empty. If fully loaded and dropped on its hammer it could fire.
2) Your gun predates heat treatment of cylinders (1920) and also predates S&W advertising that their firearms were safe to use with modern smokeless powder (1908/1909). In addition the .32-20 had a problem in the past with bulged barrels as a result of high speed jacketed ammo intended for rifles being fired in the revolver. The jackets would sometimes strip off in the barrel and cause an obstruction. With all of the above in mind, I recommend you only shoot low powered shoot ammuntion through this gun. Several manufacturers offer 'cowboy' loads for re-enactment shooters, I suggest you stick to these. Modern factory ammunition is also downloaded compared to the old high speed loads and should be safe, the cowboy loads will be slower again. Don't shoot any jacketed ammo through it, as jacketed ammo takes longer to deform into the rifling, so the peak chamber pressure lasts longer.

 

[RLSmith]

Vintage and Value of S&W 32 Long HE

I inherited a S&W Revolver from my grandfather and am interested in its vintage and current value range. Two photos attached.

Specifics:

Caliber: 32 Long CTG marked on left side of barrel
Barrel: 6" from cylinder
Grips: Square wood, very dark brown, well checkered, S&W brass medalion, completely cover the butt and back strap.
Cylinder: 6 Rounds
Sights: Fr: half round machined, Rear: machined
SN: B-F 230682 stamped under barrel over cylinder push rod area
Mod N: No model number in evidence

Condition: Outside cylinder rotation marks, scratched extractor rod, some dings on grips, minor loss of blueing in a few wear points. Fires dead on accurate, double action is crisp but hard, cocked release is shallow and smooth with low pressure.

 

[Radagast]

RLSmith:
You have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured in the serial range 102501 to 263000 between 1910 & 1917. It wears target grips but lacks target sights. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $315 in very good condition, $385 in excellent+ condition. Yours is probably somewhere in between.
Things to keep in mind:
Your gun was manufactured before S&W started heat treating cylinders, so use factory lead ammuniton, or handloads that emulate or are less powerful than factory loads. Don't use maximum loads or jacketed projectiles.
Your gun lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944. If you keep the gun loaded it would be prudent to leave the chamber under the hammer empty. Otherwise if dropped the gun could fire.

 

[16in50calNavalRifle]

Many many thanks Radagast - both for the DOB info here, and your direct advice re S&W revolver questions prior to my purchase.

Your comment about the possibility of my revolver being a mis-stamped 66-3 is intriguing.

Is there any way to tell it's actually a -3 by examing the piece itself? (bear in mind it is currently in CA gun jail until .... Thanksgiving Day, when the gun shop has the temerity to be closed - so I won't have it until the Friday after Turkey Day)

I bought it to use it, and will do so as much as I can, so it's $$$ value really doesn't concern me, but if this is anything like currency or postal stamps, errors in markings would make it more valuable, I'm guessing. Just curious.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

.357 When?

a) .357 Mag Stainless
b) 4" bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips square
d) 6 shots
e) adjustable sights.
f) serial number AYL225x
g) Model 66-2

What year?

 

[Radagast]

ZigZagZeke:
Your Model 66-2 Combat Magnum Stainless should date to 1987, serial numbers in the AWWxxxx range shipped in July and in the AYWxxxx range in December.
See my comment for 16in50calNavalRifle above about the Model 66-2 supposedly being replaced by the 66-3 in 1986. I'm beginning to think the 66-3 turn over date in the Standard Catalog of S&W is incorrect, or S&W had a bunch of partially finished 66-2 frames that they completed after the 66-3 announcement. Personally I'd go on the serial number dates, as those are actual shipping dates, not press release dates.

16in50calNavalRifle:
See my comment above for ZigZagZeke. Per the Standard Catalog of S&W the changes in the 66-3 model were a new yoke retention system, radiused stud, package, hammer nose bushing, & floating hand. I'm a shooter not a gunsmith, so I don't know enough to be able to identify the changes if you put two guns in front of me.