Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

Sealevel:
Your Model 19-4 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1978 or 1979. Serial range for those years was 25K0001 to 56K9999, so 1978 seems likely.

 

[jshrop6004]

Hi again Radagast, new acquisition as of today:

a) .357 Magnum
b) 4"
c) square
d) 6
e) adjustable
f) 7K557XX
g) 66 no dash, pinned barrel.

Thanks, Joel S.

 

[Radagast]

jshrop6004:
Your Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1975.

 

[Fred_G]

Trying to ID a S&W

I am trying to ID this gun.

.38 SPL
2"
Not sure? Have photos.
6
Fixed
AFK1879
Don't see any identifying markings other than the caliber.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jshrop6004]

Thanks Rad, you always come through!

Joel S.

 

[Radagast]

Fred_G:
Your Model 10 .38 Military & Police was manufactured in late 1984. Guns in the AFJxxxx range shipped in November of that year, so December seems likely.

 

[Fred_G]

Thanks for the info Radagast.

 

[blountg17]

This is my first post, I hope this is the right way to do it.
38 Spl
5"
Square Butt
6 Shot
Fixed Sights
3215xx Underneath the barrel is B 3215xx
Last Patent Date Dec 29 1914
Nickle Plate
Gold Emblem SW on Grips
Thanks very much.

 

[Radagast]

blountg17:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between September 1919 & December 1920. Your gun has a heat treated cylinder, so it should be safe to fire with any factory standard pressure .38 special ammunition. It lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced during world war II. If dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty. The modern evolution of your gun is the Model 10, but there have been many internal and external design changes since then and most parts are not interchangeable.

 

[blountg17]

Thank you Radagast for sharing your knowledge, I didn't know about the lack of the hammer block on it. If I ever carry it I will do as you say. Thanks again.

 

[MrDig]

Just got mine

a) caliber 38 S/W Special
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 4 inch
c) grips shape (round or square) Square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores 6
e) type of sights. fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip BFE5393
g) Model number if it is under the crane.
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder). Model 10

 

[Radagast]

MrDig: Your Model 10 .38 Military & Police was manufactured in 1990, based on chronological order of serial numbers. Some guns in a similar serial range didn't ship untill 1992, so there is a chance your gun is slightly 'newer'. As the Model was a regular seller I'm inclined to go with 1990.

 

[MrDig]

Thanks Radagast that helps

 

[FreddyKruger]

AZ3253
686 6inch

 

[Radagast]

FreddyKruger:
That serial number is missing a letter.

 

[countryjew]

1 star? at end of mnuber?

I picked up a Smith and Wesson Hand Ejector Model of 1903 1st change at the Tulsa show this weekend.

.32 S&W Long
Nickle Plated
Black grips
6 shot
4" barrel
Serial number is 340xx and what appears 1 and a star stamped later on.

Pistol is in really great shape, Just wondering what it is worth, and what the 1 "star" means

Thanks

 

[Radagast]

The star usually means a factory rework, such as a new barrel, re-finish, etc. I've no idea what the one represents. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $315 in very good condition. Take that as a rough guide. Your gun was manufactured between 1904 & 1906.

 

[bikemutt]

S&W K38 date of birth please

I've located a model 14-4 I'm planning to buy tomorrow, local sale.

The serial # is 22K229x.

I wonder if the experts may be able to tell me when this one was born?

I figure it to be around 1978 or so.

Thanks.

 

[pendennis]

Close. 22K is 1977.

 

[Haywood]

I have a 442. serial # BUCO2XX. As near as I can tell using the Smith & Wesson Standard Catalog it was made in !994 0r 1995. Can any body tell me more or if I am correct?

 

[Haywood]

Someone suggested I call Smith & Wesson. They told me it was made in 2000. From what I am reading if it was made in 2000 it would have the larger frame & cylinder. Now I am totally confused My gun has a little shorter frame & cylinder than my newer 442s. Another service Rep said it my be a left over frame used during the transfer from smaller frames to larger. Can anyone help me with this?

 

[Stantdm]

Thank you in advance.

38 Special
4"
Square
6
fixed
s/n S 848xxx

Under the crane is: What might be a D and to the right of that a little way is a 3. Under that is the number 20906.

 

[mesinge2]

a) .38 SPL
b) 1.875" (S&W 2")
c) round
d) 5
e) fixed
f) xxxxxxx
g) 49

 

[S&WOwner]

I am not very knowledgable about handguns...I was given this puppy 40+ years ago. I was told it was used at the United Nations. The picture doesn't show the complete swivel lanyard under the grip. I would be interested on any information (year, value, etc.). I have attempted to answer the questions...

A) Caliber: 38
B) BBL Length (from cylinder to muzzle): 4". I measured it from the end of the Cylinder to the end of the Barrel. If I measure from the beginning of the Cylinder (near the trigger) to the end of the Barrel - it is 5 1/2"
D) Grips Shape (round or square): See Photograph (below)
D) Number of Shots/Cylinder Bores: 6
E) Type of Sights: See Photograph (below)
F) Serial Number - Bottom of Grip: V3XXXXX (X - wasn't sure if I should actually post the entire serial number).
G) Other Numbers:
1. Open Cylinder and on Frame: 67674 and a letter S stamped on cylinder hinge.
2. Above Cylinder (on frame): 8 U. S. PROPERTY G.H.D.
3. Top of Barrel: SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S.A.
PATENTED FEB.06.06. SEPT. 14.09.DEC.29.14
4. Back of Cylinder: V3XXXXXS (V and S are on left side and right side of numbers but between the cylinder holes).
H) Right side of Barrel: SMITH & WESSON SPECIAL CTG
Thanks for your help!

​

 

[Radagast]

vpnavy:
You have a Victory Model, probably manufactured in 1942 or early 1943.
The patent dates are for the .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change introduced in 1915, the Victory Model was a milspec version of this gun with a phosphate finish & smooth grips.
G.H.D was the government inspector at S&W during WWII, Guy H Drewry IIRC.
Barrel length is measured from the forcing cone (front of the cylinder). Yours is a 4 inch model.
The US Property marks are due to Smith & Wesson production being taken over by the Government during WWII. All distribution went through a government agency.
The S stamp with the serial number means your gun was sent back to S&W and had a hammer block safety fitted. In 1944 there was a fatality on a US warship when a dropped gun fired. S&W redesigned the internal hammer block so it would not fail if the gun was dirty/gummed up. These guns had a VS prefix. S&W also retrofitted some older guns. Yours is one of them. These had an S stamp added to the serial number or on the side of the frame.
The VS is spaced apart from the numerals because S&Ws stamping machine only went to 999999. In 1941 it clicked over to 1, so they added a hand stamped V for victory as a prefix to differentiate it from the earlier guns.

The S & 67674 under the cylinder yoke are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun was completed.

Don't post a full serial number online, use xxxx as you have. This prevents someone with ill intent from reporting 'their' gun stolen by you and giving the police the serial number to search your house for.

As your gun appears to be in excellent condition and has the safety modification it may have some value to a collector. If you ever decide to sell it I recommend you advertise here or at the www.smith&wessonforum.com You will probably get a better price from a collector with a spot to fill in their safe.

As for use at the United Nations, unless you have some documentary evidence, such as a letter from the original owner, it cannot be proven and adds no monetary value, but does make for an interesting story.