Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

revel:
You have a .32 S&W Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 & 1917.
There is no model number because model numbers were not introduced until 1957.
The gun predates heat treatment of cylinders, so don't try and hot rod any hand loads. Standard pressure factory ammo will be safe.
It also predates the positive hammer block introduced in WWII after a fatality with a dropped gun, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty for added safety.
The number under the barrel should be the serial number with a B prefix.
Barrel length should be 4.25 or 6 inches.

 

[revel]

Thanks for the info.....especially about the lack of hammer block

 

[mchagsingog]

I just received a Smith and Wesson 38 Special CGT from my grandfather and would like to know what year it was manufactured. I took a few pictures of the gun and you can view them here (http://imgur.com/a/CjhI7).

A. 38 Special
B. See pictures
C. See pictures
D. 6 rounds
E. See pictures
F. Serial is C 187372

Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Radagast]

mchagsingog:
You have a .38 Military & Police Post War manufactured between 1948 & 1951. Serial range for those years was C1 to C223998, so 1952 seems likely.
This is the fixed sight, .38 special, medium sized or K frame revolver introduced in 1899 and known as the Model 10 after 1950.
Several K frame variations are still available today, making the basic design one of the longest lived and most produced in the world.
Your grips are square butt target stocks manufactured after 1968. Someone has modified them to allow the use of a speed loader.
Assuming good mechanical condition, your gun should be safe with any standard pressure or PlusP marked .38 special load.

 

[saenzrich]

I have a Mod 17-3 22lr SN# 3k6144.

Can someone help me date this?

 

[Radagast]

saenzrich:
Your Model 17-3 K22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1971.

 

[saenzrich]

Thank you, Radagast!

 

[sixgunner455]

Radagast, or anyone else with the references:

We just acquired a S&W 31-1, .32 S&W Long, 3" Barrel, ADB2330. Seems to be unfired, pristine finish, with box and papers.

Any idea on when it was made?

 

[Radagast]

sixgunner455:
The Model 31-1 Regulation Police was produced from 1961 to 1988.
The original design dates back to 1917. The -1 refers to the change to the slightly larger J frame from the old Improved I frame. There was a .32-2 & 33-3 after design changes in 1988 & 1990. The Regulation Police was discontinued in 1991.
Your gun dates to late 1982.

 

[sixgunner455]

Thank you, Radagast! That is pretty cool.

 

[v8stang289]

just picked up a model 36 today

a) 38 special
b) 1 7/8
c) square
d) 5
e) fixed
f) j923636
g) 36

 

[Radagast]

v8stang289:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1982.

 

[v8stang289]

Thanks Radagast!

 

[rromeo]

.38 Special
3"
Square
6
Fixed
4D490xx
10-7

 

[Radagast]

rromeo:
Your Model 10-7 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel was manufactured in 1979.

 

[rromeo]

Thank you, but it's not a tapered barrel.

 

[Radagast]

Interesting. The -7 represents a tapered barrel made after 1977, -8 would mean a heavy barrel. This would not be the first mis-stamped gun to leave S&W though. Or it may have been re-barreled.

 

[rromeo]

I think I'm wrong. It's definitely not the same profile as my 3" 65-3, but not tapered like my 10-5.

 

[baden361]

I have a smith and wesson model 10-5 .38 6 shot revolver serial number starts with C5886## and I was wondering if you would be able to tell me how old it is or when it was manufactured? Any idea what the value of it is? It has wooden grips on it that have a brass colored S&W logo imbedded in it. The logo looks like the same one on my M&P that I carry now. The grips have a diamond shape lower down on the handle. This was my grandfathers gun but I dont know when he got it. Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Radagast]

baden361:
C5886xx dates your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel to 1961 or 1962. Serial range for those years was C474149 to C622699. So 1962 seems more likely.
The grips sound original to the gun, the Standard Catalog of S&W mentions brass plated medallions being used during that period.I'm not sure whether they are brass with a nickel plate finish or steel with a brass plate finish.

 

[baden361]

thank you very much for your help. Do you have any idea what a gun like this would be worth. This particular gun has some blueing issues but is in good shape. Since it was my grandfathers I'm not going to sell it but I was just curious what it might be worth. He was a Policeman from 1962-1982 so the year you provided sounds dead on. Thanks again

 

[baden361]

One other question about the gun. there are some other numbers and letters stamped on the gun near where the model number is except on the side where the cylinder folds out. Any idea what they mean? theres a "z" a "w" and the number 6_9844 with what looks like a 2 underneath of it. the z, w and 2 look like theyre just randomly stamped on there but the 6_9844 looks like its suppossed to be there right near the joint.

 

[Radagast]

$250 to $350 if in good working order and depending upon condition. Probably closer to $250 if there is a lot of bluing wear. There were several million M&P revolvers made over the last 114 years, so they are not rare.

 

[Radagast]

The other numbers are assembly numbers or process numbers. They were stamped to track parts as they were finished and fitted to the gun. They were not recorded after the gun was completed and have no meaning now.

 

[baden361]

thanks again so much for your help. how is it that you know so much about these guns, if you dont mind my asking?

what would you call this particular gun? smith and wesson model 10-5? this one has like a 2 inch barrel. Compact? is that what the C in the serial number is for?