Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

low budget shooter:
I read that as 3D67xxx which makes it a 1978 manufactured Model 12-3 .38 Military & Police Airweight. These were manufactured with an slightly thinner aluminum alloy KA frame instead of the standard steel K frame, so aftermarket grips may not fit.
 
cyclopsshooter:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1977.

Your Model 18-2 K22 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1962.
 
I am a rookie at this so please be a little kind. My father gave me a Smith & Wesson revolver with the following specs:

a) 38 - caliber
b) 5 inches - bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) Square - grips
d) 6 - number of shots/cylinder bores
e) Nonadjustable, permanent front sight, rear sight is not elevated
f) Bottom of grip number: 953021
g) The cylinder axle has two numbers.
The number on the frame: M 97190,
The number on the ( crane?) cylinder : 97190
Number on the back of the cylinder is: 953021

Thanks
dwstone1227
 
dwstone1227:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured around 1939/40.
4th change refers to the 4th design change to the Model of 1905, in this case a non positive internal hammer block. This block can fail if the gun is dropped, a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944 lead to the development of the current positive internal hammer block. I recommend you leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
9530xx is the serial number, it is probably duplicated with a B prefix on the underside of the barrel. M & 97190 are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun is shipped.
The gun is built on the square butt K frame, modern after market grips should fit, including grips designated for the Model 10. in 1957 the .38 Military & Police was designated the Model 10, in effect you have the ancestor to a current Model 10.
 
3 S&W's

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a) caliber: .38 Spec
b) bbl length: 2"
c) grips shape: round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 5
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: J8927xx
g) Model number: 36

a) caliber: .357 Mag
b) bbl length: 4"
c) grips shape: square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: Adj
f) serial number: 48K04XX
g) Model number: 19-4

a) caliber: .44 Mag
b) bbl length: 6”
c) grips shape: square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: adj.
f) serial number: AFR52xx
g) Model number: 29-3


Another first post.

Thank you very much.

Mike
 
mikeasb:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1981.
Your Model 19-4 Combat Magnum was manufactured in in 1978 or 1979, with 1979 being probable.
Your Model 29-3 The .44 Magnum was manufactured late 1984, it may have shipped in 1985.
 
Geezer Glide:
Your gun is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change.
That serial number should date to 1927-1930 (serial range 500000 to 630000).
The 2 inch barrel was introduced in July 1938 and diamond Magna grips were introduced around 1936, but the round butt version dates to around 1950. AFAIK the pre-war round butt guns used hard rubber grips. The gun has the made in the USA stamp used in the 20s & 30s.

I would check to see if the grips are serial number matched to the gun. If they are then it may be worth getting a factory letter to prove its provenance.
If not matching then my guess is a normal 1927-30 gun that was later re-barreled.
 
Last edited:
cyclopsshooter:
Best I can give you is 1931 to 1935.
The .38/44 Heavy Duty began production in March 1930 at serial number 35037. The .38/44 Outdoorsman shared the serial range and started at 38939 in 1931.
A prototype Registered magnum with serial number 45808 shipped for testing in early 1935.
 
Pine Cone:
Your Model 34-1 Model of 1953 .22/.32 Kit Gun was manufactured between 1960 & 1965. Serial range for those years was 70000 to 108087. Based on average production of roughly 7500 guns per year, I would place your gun in 1960 or early 1961.
The -1 refers to a change from the earlier .32 size I frame (hence .22/.32) to the .38 special sized J frame.
 
A) .38 Special
B) 2"
C) Square
D) 5
E) Blade front, fixed slotted rear
F) Nickel finish
G) Model 36
H) 1996XX sn

My grandfathers backup piece when he was on the Redondo Beach Police Department. Thanks in advance!
 
NeptunusRex:
You have a Model 36 Chiefs Special or a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight manufactured between 1958 (serial number 150133) & 1962 (serial number 295000). If an Airweight it will be marked Airweight on the barrel.
 
Caliber: .38 Special
Barrel length: 6 inches
Grip shape: Square
Rounds: 6
Sights: Service
Ser #: 799149
Model #: n/a
 
Insp Evans:
You have a .38 Military & Police model of 1905 4th Change manufactured in 1940 or early 1941.
This gun lacks the positive hammer block safety introduced in 1944. If dropped it could fire. Treat it as a 5 shooter and leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
 
caliber: .38 Spec
b) bbl length: 5 1/4
c) grips shape: square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: fixed half moon
f) serial number: S 908768
 

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ok..this is what I have

a) caliber: .38 Spec ctg airweight
b) bbl length: 2"
c) grips shape: round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 5
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: J8740xx
g) Model number: 37
H)number under mod. # is 45114

Thanks
Jaycee
 
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Triple Lock

Hello again radagast,

I have a Triple Lock I would like a DOB for - and any more information folks may be able to help with would be appreciated.

We think it's a .455 Webley, but there is no calibre marking on the revolver. It is a friends Grandfather's WWI service revolver. 45acp will slide in cleanly but it isn't relieved for 'clips. 45 colt cases fit ok. 44 cases rattle around a bunch.

a) caliber: .455 Webley
b) bbl length: 6.5"
c) grips shape: square
d) number of shots: 5
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: 2039
g) Model: Triple Lock

Many thanks & Merry Christmas!
 
Last edited:
Looking for information on a gun I recently acquired. States Smith & Wesson on the side of the barrel along with 38 S & W SPC CTG. On the butt the number is C4970. Barrel length approx 1 7/8 inch and is a 6 shot revolver. Also, it has fixed sights. I believe it has round grips. I would like to know the approximate age and value of the gun.
 
I recently picked up two blue steel S&W J-frames if anyone has any info.

#1
a) .38 S&W Special
b) 2-inch
c) round butt, checkered wood with diamond insert, SN on grips matches SN on frame
d) 5
e) fixed
f) 1913xx
g) Model 36 (no dash)


#2
a) .38 S&W Special
b) 3-inch
c) round butt, aftermarket grips
d) 5
e) fixed
f) 5057xx
g) Model 36 (no dash)

Thanks in advance.
 
Gabby Hayes:
Gun no.1, your Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to between 1959 & 1962. Serial range for that period was 163000 to 295000, so 1959 or 1960 seems likely.

Gun no.2 was manufactured between 1962 & 1969 (serial range 295000 to 786544). If the cylinder release is flat, then 1962 -1966. If concave then 1966-69.

stormy0920:
You have a .38 Military & Police Postwar manufactured in 1948. In 1957 this gun was designated the Model 10. Value is dependent upon condition, I suggest you post a new thread with pics. As a rough rule of thumb, in excellent condition it may be worth around $350.

thefresh2o:
Your friend has a .455 Mark II Hand Ejector 1st Model manufactured in 1914 or 1915. Check to see if the gun will accept a cylinder full of .45 Colt, if yes then it has been modified as the cylinder face needed machining to accept Colt rims.
If military issue it should have British Broad Arrow markings and British nitro proof marks or, if Canadian, crossed pennants.
If marked as 450 Eley without govt. markings then it may be a privately purchased .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model (Triple Lock). 1226 were manufactured in .450 Eley

14 jaycee:
Your Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight was manufactured in 1981.

Cody Morgan:
You have a .38 Military & Police Post War transitional model, manufactured in 1947. These guns are called transitional models as they incorporate the now standard internal hammer block safety, but still use the pre-war & wartime 'long action' which was replaced with the current 'short action' in 1948.
 
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