Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

I just purchased a nice S&W .38 special and would like to know the D.O.B.

a; .38 spc.
b; 5 inch bbl.
c; square grip
d; 6 shot
e; fixed front sight
f; #544xxx
g; I believe model of 1905, 4th. edition

It is a very clean gun, I will try to send pics later. Thanks, Tom
 
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1552/smithrevolvers.jpg

Sorry, pictures are a little dark.

Top revolver:

a. 357
b. 5 inches from cylinder
c. round grips I guess
d. 6 shot
e. Rear sight adjustable; front fixed
f. SN: S 133884
g. Can’t find a model

Bottom revolver:

a. 32 Winchester
b. 6 3/8 from cylinder
c. Round grips, I guess.
d. 6 shot
e. Fixed sights
f. SN: 10150
g. Can’t find model

Thanks for any info.

bigdog
 
tmills:
You have a .38/44 Heavy Duty manufactured in 1946 or 1947. This is a .38 special chambering on the .44 sized N frame, intended to fire a now defunct high velocity .38 Special High Speed round. Think of it as a precursor to the .357 Magnum. The original grips should be service magnas with an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws. The markings under the crane are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun was completed.
 
chodge69:
They appear to be factory grips, but lacking the serial number on the inside left panel, they may not be original to the gun.
Your gun dates to 1983.

old-dawg:
You do have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th change, dating to the period 1927 to 1930. Serial range over that period was 500000 to 630000, so 1927 or early 1927 seems likely. This gun predates the positive internal hammer block safety and should be treated as a five shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty. If dropped it could fire.

bigdogpete:
The top gun is a .357 Magnum Postwar manufactured in 1954 or 1955. Serial range for those years was S103000 to S139999, so 1955 seems likely. The grips are the correct magna combat grips for that era. This was a continuation of the prewar .357 Registered Magnum, which in 1957 became the Model 27. Pre model number guns are increasing in value as the original registered magnum prices are closing on five figures, making the post war guns more interesting for collectors priced out of the prewar market.

Your second gun is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1902 1st Change manufactured in 1903. caliber is .32-20. Its hard to tell from the pic if it has its original finish or not. If it does it may be worth around $800 to a collector with a gap to fill in his collection.
If you intend to shoot it keep in mind the following:
It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so use of jacketed, semi jacketed or hot hand loads is a mistake in this gun. You may end up with a bulged cylinder.
Old jacketed .32-20 ammo marked hi-speed is definitely out. These had a reputation for stripping their jackets in the barrel, with the next round hitting it and causing a bulged barrel.
It also predates the positive internal hammer block safety. If dropped it could fire, so treat it as a five shooter and leave the chamber under the hammer empty. Your .357 magnum does not have this problem, the S before the serial number indicates the hammerblock safety is fitted.
 
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tmills:
As to its current value I cannot say, it may have been refinished which would drop its value. In excellent condition around $750, if refinished but otherwise working maybe $350.
THR members Peter M Eick & Saxon Pig both collect that model and will be able to answer most questions in detail.
Assuming good mechanical condition it will safely fire any standard pressure or PlusP .38 special load you can find or any maximum pressure load from a reloading manual. I would avoid any load marked +P+ as there is no industry standard for this and it may approach .357 magnum pressures.
 
Radagast said:
bigdogpete:
The top gun is a .357 Magnum Postwar manufactured in 1954 or 1955. Serial range for those years was S103000 to S139999, so 1955 seems likely. The grips are the correct magna combat grips for that era. This was a continuation of the prewar .357 Registered Magnum, which in 1957 became the Model 27. Pre model number guns are increasing in value as the original registered magnum prices are closing on five figures, making the post war guns more interesting for collectors priced out of the prewar market.

Your second gun is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1902 1st Change manufactured in 1903. caliber is .32-20. Its hard to tell from the pic if it has its original finish or not. If it does it may be worth around $800 to a collector with a gap to fill in his collection.
If you intend to shoot it keep in mind the following:
It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so use of jacketed, semi jacketed or hot hand loads is a mistake in this gun. You may end up with a bulged cylinder.
Old jacketed .32-20 ammo marked hi-speed is definitely out. These had a reputation for stripping their jackets in the barrel, with the next round hitting it and causing a bulged barrel.
It also predates the positive internal hammer block safety. If dropped it could fire, so treat it as a five shooter and leave the chamber under the hammer empty. Your .357 magnum does not have this problem, the S before the serial number indicates the hammerblock safety is fitted.
Click to expand...
Great stuff. So what could I use to shoot the 32-20 safely? Would I need to go to black powder? Also, I think the finish is original but weak.

bigdog
 
tmills:
PlusP = +P, so yes.

bigdogpete:
Lead cowboy loads should be OK. The K frame revolver was originally designed as a smokeless powder gun in 38 Special and .32-20 pressures run roughly 2/3rds of that.
 
Just acquired a 14-3 serial #5k39528. Looking for DOB

It is SAO and has Pachmayer grips. Is that the original factory configuration?

Gun is in excellent condition and very accurate.
 
New to revolvers.

I'm just learning about revolvers and was wanting to try ppc with it. I just bought a 15-6, adjustable rear sight, 4" hb, 38 sp. 6 shot. # bhy9796. Thanks.
 
Help, looking for the DOB. THANKS

A) .38 spl
B) 2 inch snub nose
C) j frame round butt
D) 5
E) fixed front
F) J65830
G) 49
 
JLH1:
Your Model 49 Bodyguard was manufactured in 1969 or 1970. Serial rtange for those years was J1 to J99999 so 1970 seems likely.

cpnpd92:
Your Model 15-5 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1992.

robc two:
Your Model 14 Masterpiece Single Action was manufactured in 1973. A single action variant was available from the factory for target shooters. There is a small possibility that it was modified from double action by a gunsmith.
 
My Christmas present was a S&W

My wonderful wife bought me a S&W for Christmas, How awsome is she. Sadly its the only revolver I own. From what I can find here in this small town I live in is (in the way of how old it is, don't care about the value) It should have been made sometime between 1920-1927. If I could have one of you fine fellers could confirm this for me I would greatly appreciate it.
38 s&w special ctg
6 1/2 bbl
6 shot
front fixed and rear adjustable sites
wood square grip
original finish was nickel (99% gone)
there is a DLC (does not look factory) stamped in front of the serial #461296
and the crane #is 6982 production # I'm sure
Hope the pics help and thank you for any info
 

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Lone Zombie Hunter:
Yes, serial number 461xxx dates your .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change to the period 1921 to 1927. Serial range for those years was 360000 to 470000. The number under the crane is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. Model numbers were not introduced until 1957.
The grips are not original, the magna style grips were not introduced until 1936.
The DLC is probably a departmental marking or owners initials.
This gun predates the positive internal hammer block safety and should be trearted as a five shooter. Leave the chamber under the hammer empty. If dropped it could fire.
 
Ok Great Ones,

S&W 38spl 4th change hand ejector
Serial #570770

In addition to being curious as to the age, I am most interested in whether the cylinder is heat treated and safe for modern ammo.
 
Old Fuff, JImK & RCModel are the great ones. I hope you will accept an answer from the reasonably adequate. If you think I am the Great Ones I have a pop quiz for you: How many tentacles am I using to type this post?

1927 to 1930 for that .38 Military & Police Model of 1904 4th Change, but keep in mind Old Fuffs point that guns did not ship sequentially at that time, so it may have sat around the factory for a while. Serial range for that period was 500000 to 630000. The great depression kicked off at the end of '28 and in '35 they were only shipping in the 640xxxx range, so sales dropped dramatically, probably from 1929 on. My guess is 1928/29. Heat treating of cylinders started in 1919 around serial 316xxx, so that is not an issue. IIRC Old Fuff & Saxon Pig have both mentioned seeing bulged cylinders from around that era, I would not be surprised if it was due to shooting the pre .357 magnum .38 High Speed through them.

TL,DR:
I am not Cthulu. Guns is from 1927-1930. Should be safe with any standard pressure or PlusP ammo. Lacks the positive hammer block so treat it as a 5 shooter and leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
 
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olde-dawg:
No one has called me a walking encyclopedia since my 3rd grade report card back in the 1970s. Thanks for sending me tripping down memory lane.

LZH:
Paying it forward is the best payment you could give me.

Guillermo:
I've just checked my facts and edited my reply to you. I suggest you read it and not the email summary. Apologises. I only claimed reasonably adequate, not infallible.
 
Radagast,

Of course JimK, Old Fuff and RC are amazing.

As to the number of tentacles you use, it matters not...you are among them in my estimation.

I also appreciate the dedication which you give this thread. You have informed me about guns I own and saved me from buying some less than desirable ones.

In this case cost me some money as the gun in question is a really good deal and since it likely has a heat treated cylinder, I get to experience the long action Smith.

If the deal can be made I will likely start a thread in the Revolver thread and you can see how I did.

As always, thank you.
 
Cool. The long action is Smoooth, I hope you get a deal that is acceptable to you.

I do have a 1968 Highway Patrolman on layaway that has a factory action like a master gunsmith has worked it over. One of the perks of helping my dealer man his tables at the gunshows is I get first pick of the new 'old' stock. :)

It's 6.30 AM here in OZ on new years day. The whisky bottle is low, so I think I'll head to bed. Have a safe and happy new year mate. :)

BTW the answer is two thumbs, six fingers and two tentacles since I chopped the tendons in my accident last year. Helps explain some of my typoes. :p
 
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