mesinge2
Member
Thanks, Radagast!
Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
UranusDestiny
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2008
- Messages
- 79
Hi there, I was wondering if I could get a date of birth on my newly acquired Pre-model 10 K frame.
a) caliber-.38 Special
b) bbl length- 4 inch
c) grips shape- square
d) number of shots- 6
e) type of sights- fixed
f) serial number- C (long space) 3900xx (on the butt of the firearm)
g) Model number- The crane has the numbers 980XX on it.
Thanks in advance!
a) caliber-.38 Special
b) bbl length- 4 inch
c) grips shape- square
d) number of shots- 6
e) type of sights- fixed
f) serial number- C (long space) 3900xx (on the butt of the firearm)
g) Model number- The crane has the numbers 980XX on it.
Thanks in advance!
Radagast
Member
UranusDestiny:
C390xxx is the serial number, which places your .38 Military & Police Postwar in the period 1954 to 1956. Serial range for those years was C277555 to C402923. The upper side plate screw was deleted in 1955, so if your gun has that feature 1954/55, if not then 1955/56. 980xx is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory, it has no meaning after the gun is assembled.
C390xxx is the serial number, which places your .38 Military & Police Postwar in the period 1954 to 1956. Serial range for those years was C277555 to C402923. The upper side plate screw was deleted in 1955, so if your gun has that feature 1954/55, if not then 1955/56. 980xx is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory, it has no meaning after the gun is assembled.
forindooruseonly
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2009
- Messages
- 1,076
Hey, I've got a new to me S&W Double Action revolver, I believe is a fourth model.
a - .32 S&W
b - 3 inch
c - Round
d - 5 shot
e - fixed sights
f - s/n 217731
Thanks!
a - .32 S&W
b - 3 inch
c - Round
d - 5 shot
e - fixed sights
f - s/n 217731
Thanks!
I have inherited my Granfathers Smith & Wesson 38 Special, 6 shot revolver. I do not know very much about revolvers, so I'm not sure what is needed for dating the pistol. That said, the barrel is 5" in length and the serial number on the butt of the handle is 251725. Stamped on the right side of the barrel is 38 S&W Special CTG. I'm 60 years old and he died when I was 5. Any help would certainly be appreciated.... Thanks
Radagast
Member
foreindooruseonly:
Yep, a .32 Double Action 4th Model manufactured between 1896 & 1909. Serial range for those years was 209301 to 282999. As production ran at roughly 13,000 a year for the decade prior to 1896, I would guess 1896 or 1897.
Boot2U:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured in 1915 or 1916. The 4th Change refers to the 4th minor design change since the 1905 major design change.
Your gun lacks the internal hammer block safety developed during WWII. if dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
It also predates heat treatment of cylinders and hot loads could split or bulge the cylinder. Stick to standard velocity lead ammunition only, no PlusP, no +P+, jacketed or semi jacketed ammo. The sights should be regulated for the 158 grain lead round nose, so try that or 148 grain waddcutters if you wish to shoot it.
Value is not high, at most $350 in excellent condition, $250 if showing any wear. A dealer will offer you less than this as they will want to resell it at a profit.
The five inch barrel was popular back then as cops walked the beat, they switched over to 4 inch barrels when patrol cars became more common.
Several million M&P revolvers have been manufactured since the original introduction in 1899 and it is still in production today in a much modified form as the Model 10.
The grip is probably a square butt style, although I would need to see a photo to confirm. The frame is S&Ws medium 'K'frame. Spare parts would need to come from another gun, http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ are a good source.
Yep, a .32 Double Action 4th Model manufactured between 1896 & 1909. Serial range for those years was 209301 to 282999. As production ran at roughly 13,000 a year for the decade prior to 1896, I would guess 1896 or 1897.
Boot2U:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured in 1915 or 1916. The 4th Change refers to the 4th minor design change since the 1905 major design change.
Your gun lacks the internal hammer block safety developed during WWII. if dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
It also predates heat treatment of cylinders and hot loads could split or bulge the cylinder. Stick to standard velocity lead ammunition only, no PlusP, no +P+, jacketed or semi jacketed ammo. The sights should be regulated for the 158 grain lead round nose, so try that or 148 grain waddcutters if you wish to shoot it.
Value is not high, at most $350 in excellent condition, $250 if showing any wear. A dealer will offer you less than this as they will want to resell it at a profit.
The five inch barrel was popular back then as cops walked the beat, they switched over to 4 inch barrels when patrol cars became more common.
Several million M&P revolvers have been manufactured since the original introduction in 1899 and it is still in production today in a much modified form as the Model 10.
The grip is probably a square butt style, although I would need to see a photo to confirm. The frame is S&Ws medium 'K'frame. Spare parts would need to come from another gun, http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ are a good source.
forindooruseonly
Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2009
- Messages
- 1,076
Thanks again Radagast!
B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2010
- Messages
- 231
Can you guys help me with this
Serial #S89xxx
4" barrel
Fixed sights
38 S&W special
Square butt
Serial #S89xxx
4" barrel
Fixed sights
38 S&W special
Square butt
Many Thanks Radacast... I appreciate you sharing your obvious expertise. The gun would not be for sale at any price. My grandfather died when I was 5 and I am now 60. I have memories of riding on an old metal tractor seat that he had fixed to his mule drawn plow. I would sit there as long as I could. The gun went to his oldest son which was obviously my uncle. Then it went to my who we lost in 2005. Yes, this is the long story, but I felt like I owed you a small look into my family... I am blessed
Radagast
Member
Boot2U:
S&W have a service where for $50 the factory historian will go through the old paper shipping records and find your gun. He will then send you a letter on factory letter head giving the date of shipping, who/where it was shipped to and any special features at the time of shipping. Generally with a common firearm such as your Grandfathers it will show shipping to a hardware store, police agency or distributor, rarely to a private individidual. Still, if you want to track its history, that is the first stop.
B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian:
There were two frames that used seperate S prefix serial numbers, the N frame and the K frame.
If the Serial number is S89xxx (five numerals) then it is a large N frame .38/44 Heavy Duty Model of 1950 manufactured between 1950 & 1957, when the Heavy Duty was designated the Model 20 and S&W began stamping the model number under the cylinder crane. There is a bit of interest in these among collectors, and in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $650 in excellent condition. TMR member Peter M. Eick has a decent collection of these guns and has posted about them on several occasions. A search under his name should turn up some infor for you.
If the serial number is S89xxxx (six numerals) then it is a .38 Military & Police Postwar transitional model, manufactured between 1945 & 1947. It has the internal hammer block safety developed in 1944 and still in use today and the pre-war 'long action'. The long action was replaced by the current short action in 1948. Value in excellent condition would be around $350 tops as S&W made several million more M&Ps than Heavy Duties.
S&W have a service where for $50 the factory historian will go through the old paper shipping records and find your gun. He will then send you a letter on factory letter head giving the date of shipping, who/where it was shipped to and any special features at the time of shipping. Generally with a common firearm such as your Grandfathers it will show shipping to a hardware store, police agency or distributor, rarely to a private individidual. Still, if you want to track its history, that is the first stop.
B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian:
There were two frames that used seperate S prefix serial numbers, the N frame and the K frame.
If the Serial number is S89xxx (five numerals) then it is a large N frame .38/44 Heavy Duty Model of 1950 manufactured between 1950 & 1957, when the Heavy Duty was designated the Model 20 and S&W began stamping the model number under the cylinder crane. There is a bit of interest in these among collectors, and in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $650 in excellent condition. TMR member Peter M. Eick has a decent collection of these guns and has posted about them on several occasions. A search under his name should turn up some infor for you.
If the serial number is S89xxxx (six numerals) then it is a .38 Military & Police Postwar transitional model, manufactured between 1945 & 1947. It has the internal hammer block safety developed in 1944 and still in use today and the pre-war 'long action'. The long action was replaced by the current short action in 1948. Value in excellent condition would be around $350 tops as S&W made several million more M&Ps than Heavy Duties.
B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2010
- Messages
- 231
Radagast, thanks for your help! That oldy is sitting in a local pawn shop wasting away. With a price tag of $425 I think it'll be coming home with me this weekend. Thanks again!
Help in Establishing the Age of Two S&W Revolvers
I have two older revolvers that I have recently purchased and would like to determine their age and this seems to be the place to learn that data.
#1 is a Model 10 .38 special, 6 shot, 4 inch barrel, square grip, milled slope front sight and fixed rear sight, nickle finish, original wooden grips with s/n of D144285.
#2 is a model 15 .38 special, 6 shot, 4 inch barrel, square grip, sloped front sight and adjustable rear sight, blued finish, target trigger and hammer, original wooden grips with s/n of 3K74565.
Thanks for your help!
I have two older revolvers that I have recently purchased and would like to determine their age and this seems to be the place to learn that data.
#1 is a Model 10 .38 special, 6 shot, 4 inch barrel, square grip, milled slope front sight and fixed rear sight, nickle finish, original wooden grips with s/n of D144285.
#2 is a model 15 .38 special, 6 shot, 4 inch barrel, square grip, sloped front sight and adjustable rear sight, blued finish, target trigger and hammer, original wooden grips with s/n of 3K74565.
Thanks for your help!
Ruddie
Member
If its not too much trouble, I would like an age on my old S&W Victory .38 S&W. I'm currently in the process of restoring it.
Model: S&W Victory
Numbers: 597xxx
Model: S&W Victory
Numbers: 597xxx
Radagast
Member
Ruddie:
If a .38 S&W caliber it is a .38/200 British Service Revolver, these were made concurrent with and shared the serial number of the .38 S&W Special Victory Model which was issued to US forces. There should be a V prefix to the serial number. It may be stamped on the otherside of the lanyard ring from the serial number.
The Standard catalog of S&W does not give a year to year break down for the Victory Model. We know that V80000 shipped in late 1941 and V769000 in late 1944, so I would guesstimate your gun as late 1943.
If the caliber is .38 S&W Special then the above shipping dates hold true and you do have a Victory model.
If the caliber is .38 S&W Special and the serial number is 597xxx without the V prefix then you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
If the Caliber is .38 S&W and the serial number is 597xxx without the V prefix then I can only assume you have a .38/200 British Service Revolver completed as a commercial contract in 1940/41 using an old stock frame from the 1927 to 1930 time period. If so it will be the earliest known serial number for that model.
Whatever model you have, it lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944. If dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
Sealevel:
Your first gun is a .38 Military & Police / Model 10 manufactured in 1969 or 1970. Serial range for those years was D90001 to D330000. If a tpered barrel then it will be a 10-5, if a heavy (straight) barrel a 10-6.
Your second gun is a Model-3 15 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1972.
BRLowery2:
Assuming your gun has an exposed hammer and is not marked "airweight' on the barrel, then you have a Model 36 Chiefs Special manufactured in 1975 or 1976. Serial range for those years was J250001 to J370000, so 1975 seems likely. If marked airweight then it is a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight with an aluminum frame.
If the hammer is partially enclosed by a hump on the frame so only the tip of the hammer is exposed then it is a Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight.
If a .38 S&W caliber it is a .38/200 British Service Revolver, these were made concurrent with and shared the serial number of the .38 S&W Special Victory Model which was issued to US forces. There should be a V prefix to the serial number. It may be stamped on the otherside of the lanyard ring from the serial number.
The Standard catalog of S&W does not give a year to year break down for the Victory Model. We know that V80000 shipped in late 1941 and V769000 in late 1944, so I would guesstimate your gun as late 1943.
If the caliber is .38 S&W Special then the above shipping dates hold true and you do have a Victory model.
If the caliber is .38 S&W Special and the serial number is 597xxx without the V prefix then you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
If the Caliber is .38 S&W and the serial number is 597xxx without the V prefix then I can only assume you have a .38/200 British Service Revolver completed as a commercial contract in 1940/41 using an old stock frame from the 1927 to 1930 time period. If so it will be the earliest known serial number for that model.
Whatever model you have, it lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944. If dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
Sealevel:
Your first gun is a .38 Military & Police / Model 10 manufactured in 1969 or 1970. Serial range for those years was D90001 to D330000. If a tpered barrel then it will be a 10-5, if a heavy (straight) barrel a 10-6.
Your second gun is a Model-3 15 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1972.
BRLowery2:
Assuming your gun has an exposed hammer and is not marked "airweight' on the barrel, then you have a Model 36 Chiefs Special manufactured in 1975 or 1976. Serial range for those years was J250001 to J370000, so 1975 seems likely. If marked airweight then it is a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight with an aluminum frame.
If the hammer is partially enclosed by a hump on the frame so only the tip of the hammer is exposed then it is a Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight.
Ruddie
Member
Thank you for your help. My victory is a .38 S&W cal, and it does have a V on the other side of the lanyard loop. As far as it firing if I drop it, I'm rebuilding/refinishing the gun for hobby purposes. I'll probably never fire the gun, much less load it. In fact it'll probably be the only gun in my house not loaded.
Again, thank you for your help.
- Ruddie
Again, thank you for your help.
- Ruddie
Radagast
Member
Sealevel:
Both will be fine. S&W recommends against use of PlusP in guns made before 1957 These guns lack the model number stamped under the crane, model numbers were introduced in 1957. PlusP will cause accelerated wear in Aluminum frame Airweight models, both of your guns are steel framed. Go for it.
Both will be fine. S&W recommends against use of PlusP in guns made before 1957 These guns lack the model number stamped under the crane, model numbers were introduced in 1957. PlusP will cause accelerated wear in Aluminum frame Airweight models, both of your guns are steel framed. Go for it.
shogun7788
Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
- Messages
- 12
Hey,
I just got a Model 66-2, 2.25'' round butt. AYY8---
Thanks.
I just got a Model 66-2, 2.25'' round butt. AYY8---
Thanks.
Radagast
Member
shogun7788:
Your Model 66-2 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in late 1987 or early 1988. For example AYY1139 shipped in January 1989. The Model 66-2 was replaced by the Model 66-3 in 1986, so your gun is either misstamped or there were some old parts stilled to be used up from the 66-2 run and yours is one of the last of that version manufactured.
Your Model 66-2 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in late 1987 or early 1988. For example AYY1139 shipped in January 1989. The Model 66-2 was replaced by the Model 66-3 in 1986, so your gun is either misstamped or there were some old parts stilled to be used up from the 66-2 run and yours is one of the last of that version manufactured.
cyclopsshooter
Member
a) caliber-.38 Special
b) bbl length- 2 inch
c) grips shape- round
d) number of shots- 5
e) type of sights- fixed
f) serial number- bse1677
g) Model number- 442 no dash (nickel or hard chrome? not sure)
thanks!
b) bbl length- 2 inch
c) grips shape- round
d) number of shots- 5
e) type of sights- fixed
f) serial number- bse1677
g) Model number- 442 no dash (nickel or hard chrome? not sure)
thanks!
Guillermo
member
okay great ones
what is the D.O.B of this K22
what is the D.O.B of this K22
Last edited:
Radagast
Member
Guillermo:
1952. Serial range for that year was K136691 to K175637.
cyclopsshooter:
Sometime between August 1994 (BRFxxxx) & January 1996 (CAMxxxx). The finish is satin nickel.
1952. Serial range for that year was K136691 to K175637.
cyclopsshooter:
Sometime between August 1994 (BRFxxxx) & January 1996 (CAMxxxx). The finish is satin nickel.
Guillermo
member
radagast,
Much grass amigo!
Much grass amigo!
