Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

waidmann:
Your Model 686-4 Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless probably dates to late 1994/early 1995. The Standard Catalog of S&W shows BRFxxxx guns shipping in August 1994, then the date range skips to 1995. As it took four months for S&W to work from BDYxxxx o BRFxxxx I'm pretty sure that the change from BRFxxxx to BRSxxxx would have occured by the end of that year (1994). The 686-4 was introduced in 1993 and continued in production until 1997. It was the last 686 without MIM parts and with the firng pin on the hammer.

 

[waidmann]

Thanks Radagast, I suppose I had a decent eye, this time.

Hope this finds you well.

Waidmann

 

[Radagast]

Waidmnn:
Thanks for your good wishes. I seem to be healing slowly but surely. Still some pain/numbness/other issues, but I can now safely pick up weights of 30 to 40 pounds and my balance & joint mobility is also greatly improved, but not 100 percent.
Anyway, I'm not dead, not crippled too badly and I'm back at work and shooting socially.

 

[hardknocks!]

36-7

Hello All
S&W 36-7
blue
5 shot
rubber grip
2'' barell
Serial # BSR8422
looking to possibly purchase
wondering year and approximate value. L.N.I.B.
thanks
Mike

 

[Radagast]

hardnocks!:
The Model 36-7 Chiefs Special tapered barrel was introduced in 1990 and continued in production until 1996. It was the last model before the change to the heavier K magnum frame. The gun you are looking at dates top late 1994.
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $425 for new in the box. I don't have a current blue book to give you the current value, I suggest you check out the prices on Gunbroker, auctionarms and gunsamerica websites.

 

[hardknocks!]

radagast

Hello
allready checked prices on the 3 auction sites. the $$$ tag on this one is 450.00$ @ a pawn shop. i may offer 4 bills.
the 450 seems to be what people are paying give or take 50 at the auctions.
plus ship & FFL.
thanks for taking the time and giving me the info.
regards
Mike

 

[Halle]

S&W .38 info

Hi guys and gals. I inheirited a S&W .38 spec revolver.

It is a snubnose, diamond checkered wooden grip with the golden emblems. 6 shot. Flat bottom with a serial on the bottom of the handle is S 968XXX
Says: 38 S&W. SPC. CTG on the barrel.

Has the number E 474XX stamped on the inside twice.

I am not that familiar with these weapons.

Any info would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[snaggletoothshooter]

Help please Radagast.

I recently inherited my great grandfathers revolver and would like to know it's age and any other info that would be interesting.

a.) 22LR
b.) 6" barrel
c.) square (if I understand what you mean by round or square)
d.) 6 shot
e.) adjustable sights
f.) K 480XX (on bottom of handle)
g.) under the crane is a another set of numbers (378XX)

 

[Radagast]

snaggletoothshooter:
You have a K22 Masterpiece from 1948.
This was S&Ws target .22 revolver, built on the medium K frame with a square butt and adjustable sights, it was a companion piece to the K32 & K38 target revolvers in .32 S&W Long & .38 Special, with the guns being weighted to the same balance. Value is not very high, probably around $600 or so in very good condition. Shooter interest on the other hand is high, if you ever need to sell it you will probably find a buyer here on THR. In a much modified form this gun continues in production as the stainless steel Model 617 & as the Model 17 Classic. Model numbers were introduced in 1957, your gun predates that. The serial number is K480xx, the number under the crane is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. It has no meaning after the gun is completed.

Halle:
You have a .38 Military & Police (Postwar) revolver dating to late 1947 or early 1948. To give you an idea, serial number S978924 shipped in March 1948.
E474xx is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. It has no meaning after the gun is completed.
The diamond grips are correct for that period, square butt snumb noses were manufactured, if it is a factory barrel the caliber markings will be on the left side of the barrel. If not then it may be that a gunsmith or handyman cut down a longer barrel. A factory two inch barrel will bring a small premium to a collector. If the gun has the long action hammer (as opposed to the current short action) then it is a transitional model as the change over occured around that time. The S in the serial number refers to the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944, so the gun is safe to carry with 6 loaded chambers.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP (increased pressure) ammunition in guns made before 1957. Use of the search function will show many discussions on this, a basic summary of the consensus being that it is probably safe in any good condition post war gun, but you as the owner have to make that decision and take on any risk involved.

 

[wrs840]

Model 686-4
a.) 357 Mag
b.) 4" barrel
c.) square wood grip
d.) 6 shot
e.) adjustable sights
f.) s.n. BRB68xx

Thanks in advance, Radagast!

 

[Radagast]

wrs840:
The 686-4 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured between 1993 & 1997. Guns in the BRFxxxx range shipped in August 1994, so I estimate your gun as having shipped in early to mid 1994.

 

[cherzog]

I have a Model 10 (no dash) snubbie that is Nickel plated with SN 5456XX. The barrel is pinned and it has the diamond grips. From what I could find on the net I'm guessing it was made in the late 50's or early 60's. Does that sound right? Is it ok to shoot +p loads in? Many thanks in advance!!!

 

[Radagast]

cherzog:
Serial number 5456xx would make it a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
If it is marked as a Model 10 then the serial number should have a C prefix.
C5456xxx would make it a 1961 or 1962 manufactured gun, as the Model 10 no dash was replaced by the Model 10-2 in 1961, if your gun has a C prefix then it is a 1961 gun.
Check on the bottom of the grip frame, that is the serial number. The number under the cylinder yoke is sometimes the serial number, but more often it is an assembly number that has no meaning after the gun is completed.

 

[hddeluxe]

617-6

Sir: I hope this post finds you well on the road to a 100% recovery. I see that you are now out and about. Great news.

a) 22LR
b) 4"
c) round
d) 10 shot
e) Adjustable rear, Fixed front
f) CJP8162
g) 617-6

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[cherzog]

Radagast,
Thanks for the information. You are correct the SN starts with a C. I have it written down here... should have proof read my post.

 

[fatcpa]

Model 19-3

The info on the revolver is as follows:

Caliber: 357 Magnum
Bbl length: 4 inches
Grip shape: Square butt
Number of shots: 6
Type sights: Adjustable rear
Serial #: K988365
Model: 19-3

I appreciate your help.

 

[Halle]

Thank you Rad, it is the 2 inch barrel with the markings. So it has not been modified.

It also has the longer hammer.

Any idea on value?

 

[Radagast]

Halle:
Probably around $350 in excellent condition, probably a bit more to a collector looking to fill a gap in his collection. www.smith-wessonforum.com is your best bwet if you are looking to sell.

fatcpa:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1970.

hddeluxe:
Your gun is too recent for the lists in the Standard Catalog of S&W, which go up to July 2004 & serial numbers in the CHLxxxx range. Based on the rate of serial numbers usage in the year leading up to that date I'm going to guess 2006.

 

[bannockburn]

Radagast

I recently picked up a Model 34-1 LNIB with all the original papers. The specifics are as follows:

Caliber-.22LR
Barrel-4"
Stocks-Round butt
Number of shots-6
Sights-Adjustable rear
Serial-M246XX

Could you please tell me approximately when it was made? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[Radagast]

bannockburn:
The M1 to M30000 serial range was used from 1969 to 1971. As your Model 34 .22/32 Kit Gun is high in that range I would guesstimate 1971.

 

[glockky]

15-3

A.38 special
B.4"
C.Unsure finger groove pacmyr's on it i think.
D.6 cylinders
E.Adjustable
F.Seriel #18K36XX
G.model 15-3
Got this one from my papaw and was curious about it thanks guys.

 

[Radagast]

glokky:
Your Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1977.

 

[bergmen]

15-4

I have a model 15-4 I bought used (but is in NIB condition).

a) .38 Special
b) 4" barrel length
c) Square butt wood grips
d) 6 shot
e) Adjustable sights.
f) 91K63XX
g) Mod. 15-4.

Here is a picture, not of my particular gun but is the same:

Thanks for looking these up, I find it very valuable to know the DOB of all my guns.

Dan

 

[shephka]

Hey, I have a revolver that I inherited from my Grandpa, the info on the revolver is as follows:

Caliber: .32
Bbl length: 3.5 inches from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle
Grip shape: round butt
Number of shots: 5
Type sights: fixed front
Serial #: 306973
Model: k32 s & w ctg

I would appreciate any information that you could give me about this pistol including the value if possible

Thanks,


shephka

 

[Radagast]

bergman:
that serial number is from 1980. As the adjustable sight K frame serial range for 1980 cuts off at 91K6800 I'd guess November/December of that year.

shepka:
I am going to guess your gun is a top break, meaning the cylinder tilts up and the barrel down to load/unload. If this is the case then you have a .32 Double Action Fifth Model manufactured between 1909 & 1919 in the serial range 283000 to 327641. 3.5 inches was a standard barrel length on this gun. The grips are black hard rubber and it came in nickel or blued finish. .32 S&W can still be found but it is rather rare and expensive. It is also considered underpowered. Originally a black powder round, modern ammo uses smokeless powder loaded to the same pressure as the blackpowder rounds. Because smokeless ammo peaks in pressure much faster than blackpowder (think of a short sharp shock instead of a gradual rise) use of factory ammo will see accelerated wear. YOur gun dates from a period when S&W advertised them as suitable for smokeless powder, so don't expect it to blow up if shot, just to wear out if shot a lot. There are very few gunsmiths willing to work on these old timers as there are no factory spares available and the workings have been described to me as intricate. As the gun lacks a hammer block safety it is in effect a four shooter. The chamber under the hammer should be left empty when loading so it cannot fire if dropped.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave the following vaues: Very good $225, Excellent $300, Excellent Plus $450.