Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
help determining date
I am brand new to the forum, and to forums in general. My grandpa gave my mom this revolver and she stovepiped it. I am looking to see what it will take to fix or replace the barrel, so I would like to know date, model etc. I think it is a model 10. Please help...
Thanks in advance.
a) .38
b) 6"
c) Round
d) 6
e) vixed (integrated into barrel and frame
f) 813xxx (no letter on butt, but serial also underside of barrel including letter "S"
g) not sure what a crane is ... :-/
I am brand new to the forum, and to forums in general. My grandpa gave my mom this revolver and she stovepiped it. I am looking to see what it will take to fix or replace the barrel, so I would like to know date, model etc. I think it is a model 10. Please help...
Thanks in advance.
a) .38
b) 6"
c) Round
d) 6
e) vixed (integrated into barrel and frame
f) 813xxx (no letter on butt, but serial also underside of barrel including letter "S"
g) not sure what a crane is ... :-/
Geezer Glide
Member
What's the birthdate on my Smith & Wesson
Model 36
2" Blue
.38 Special
Serial #222XXX
Thanks in advance.
Model 36
2" Blue
.38 Special
Serial #222XXX
Thanks in advance.
Radagast
Member
Geezer Glide:
The best I can give you for your Model 36 Chiefs Special is 1959-1962. Serial range for those years was 163501-295000.
rdurham:
Welcome to the forum. Think of it as a private club rather than a public meeting as far as decorum is concerned & you will fit in.
By 'stove piped it' I'm assuming one or more projectiles is stuck in the barrel? Usually stove piped refers to a case that didn't quite eject from a semi auto pistol, leaving it sticking up from the ejection port, like an old stove pipe.
The 'crane' is the part that the cylinder swings out on, joining it to the frame. The correct S&W term is yoke, crane was Colt's terminology.
A six shot revolver with serial number 813xxx will be from early 1941, the model will probably be .38/200 British Service Revolver and the caliber will be probably be .38 S&W. Check the side of the barrel. If it say .38 S&W Special then its the gun below. If it says .38 S&W then its a BSR & You will want this part:
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/396400.htm
A six shot revolver in the S813xxx range would be a .38 Military & Police Postwar manufactured in 1945, caliber will be .38 S&W Special.
A barrel from a prewar .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change would also fit, as this was basically the same gun, other than the internal drop safety (the S in the serial number stands for safety).
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufa...3495/Revolvers-42026/MilitaryPolice-38388.htm is the usual source for spare parts for these older guns, they are out of stock at the moment, so just keep checking back.
If the existing barrel is not bulged, then a gunsmith may be able to drill out the obstruction. If bulged (run your fingers along it and feel for a raised ring) then replacement is probably the way to go.
A caveat. A lot of the British Service Revolvers were sent back to the USA in the 1950s, the cylinder drilled out to chamber the .38 special cartridge, and then sold as mail order surplus. These will have two distinct steps in the chambers instead of one. They are basically worthless to collectors and are very limited as shooters as the oddly shaped chambers can bulge or crack brass. I would not spend any money repairing a drilled out gun. If it has sentimental value then I would hang it on a wall in a shadow box.
The best I can give you for your Model 36 Chiefs Special is 1959-1962. Serial range for those years was 163501-295000.
rdurham:
Welcome to the forum. Think of it as a private club rather than a public meeting as far as decorum is concerned & you will fit in.
By 'stove piped it' I'm assuming one or more projectiles is stuck in the barrel? Usually stove piped refers to a case that didn't quite eject from a semi auto pistol, leaving it sticking up from the ejection port, like an old stove pipe.
The 'crane' is the part that the cylinder swings out on, joining it to the frame. The correct S&W term is yoke, crane was Colt's terminology.
A six shot revolver with serial number 813xxx will be from early 1941, the model will probably be .38/200 British Service Revolver and the caliber will be probably be .38 S&W. Check the side of the barrel. If it say .38 S&W Special then its the gun below. If it says .38 S&W then its a BSR & You will want this part:
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/396400.htm
A six shot revolver in the S813xxx range would be a .38 Military & Police Postwar manufactured in 1945, caliber will be .38 S&W Special.
A barrel from a prewar .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change would also fit, as this was basically the same gun, other than the internal drop safety (the S in the serial number stands for safety).
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufa...3495/Revolvers-42026/MilitaryPolice-38388.htm is the usual source for spare parts for these older guns, they are out of stock at the moment, so just keep checking back.
If the existing barrel is not bulged, then a gunsmith may be able to drill out the obstruction. If bulged (run your fingers along it and feel for a raised ring) then replacement is probably the way to go.
A caveat. A lot of the British Service Revolvers were sent back to the USA in the 1950s, the cylinder drilled out to chamber the .38 special cartridge, and then sold as mail order surplus. These will have two distinct steps in the chambers instead of one. They are basically worthless to collectors and are very limited as shooters as the oddly shaped chambers can bulge or crack brass. I would not spend any money repairing a drilled out gun. If it has sentimental value then I would hang it on a wall in a shadow box.
Radagast
Member
bodydenny:
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman was manufactured in 1969. Technically the highway patrolman is the 'service grade' version of the collector quality Model 27, with lower levels of polishing and no checkering on the top strap. I have one from 1968 and its finish surpasses many of the current production guns.
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman was manufactured in 1969. Technically the highway patrolman is the 'service grade' version of the collector quality Model 27, with lower levels of polishing and no checkering on the top strap. I have one from 1968 and its finish surpasses many of the current production guns.
Radagast. and other experts..been trying follow common threads regarding S&W revolver birthday, but I decided it would be easier to just ask.
Mine is 38 Special, 6-shot, ROUND BUTT, Fixed Sights, 265 Service hammer, Original Cylinder Stop, SN S 865xx3 on butt, Number between barrel and ejector (is that the crane?) is 37701, and there are 2 marks above it: an X on the left and 3 centered.
4" barrel, on Right side of barrel: 38 S. & W.SPECIAL CTG.
On top of the barrel, PATENTED FEB.6.06.SEPT.14.09, DEC.29.14
I'm pretty sure this was my grand dad's service revolver when he was State Police.
Thanks!! azhapp
Mine is 38 Special, 6-shot, ROUND BUTT, Fixed Sights, 265 Service hammer, Original Cylinder Stop, SN S 865xx3 on butt, Number between barrel and ejector (is that the crane?) is 37701, and there are 2 marks above it: an X on the left and 3 centered.
4" barrel, on Right side of barrel: 38 S. & W.SPECIAL CTG.
On top of the barrel, PATENTED FEB.6.06.SEPT.14.09, DEC.29.14
I'm pretty sure this was my grand dad's service revolver when he was State Police.
Thanks!! azhapp
Radagast
Member
azhapp:
The S is the give away. Your grandfathers gun is a .38 Military & Police Postwar, manufactured between 1946 & 1948. Serial range for that period was theoretically S811120 to S999999, but SV770231 shipped March 19th 1946 & S978924 shipped March 13th 1948.
So if I had to take a punt, late 1946 or early 1947 for the gun you are looking at.
The number on the butt is the serial number, including the S, even if there is a space between the letter and the number - the S was stamped separately.
The serial number may be duplicated under the barrel.
The other numbers are assembly numbers, used to track fitted parts in the factory.
The crane, also known as the yoke , is the arm that the cylinder swings out on, connecting it to the frame.
The S prefix to the serial number indicated the gun is fitted with the positive internal hammer hammer block safety introduced in 1944, making the gun drop safe.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP pressure ammunition on guns made before 1957, but that is a cut ff for the sake of convenience, as they started stamping model numbers in that year. In reality your gun was the 1,8653xx3rd .38 K frame gun produced and it was a well sorted design by 1946. Any current manufacture .38 special ammunition should be fine, as long as it is in good condition. Check out the "How to check out a revolver' thread stickied in this sub forum for more info.
The S is the give away. Your grandfathers gun is a .38 Military & Police Postwar, manufactured between 1946 & 1948. Serial range for that period was theoretically S811120 to S999999, but SV770231 shipped March 19th 1946 & S978924 shipped March 13th 1948.
So if I had to take a punt, late 1946 or early 1947 for the gun you are looking at.
The number on the butt is the serial number, including the S, even if there is a space between the letter and the number - the S was stamped separately.
The serial number may be duplicated under the barrel.
The other numbers are assembly numbers, used to track fitted parts in the factory.
The crane, also known as the yoke , is the arm that the cylinder swings out on, connecting it to the frame.
The S prefix to the serial number indicated the gun is fitted with the positive internal hammer hammer block safety introduced in 1944, making the gun drop safe.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP pressure ammunition on guns made before 1957, but that is a cut ff for the sake of convenience, as they started stamping model numbers in that year. In reality your gun was the 1,8653xx3rd .38 K frame gun produced and it was a well sorted design by 1946. Any current manufacture .38 special ammunition should be fine, as long as it is in good condition. Check out the "How to check out a revolver' thread stickied in this sub forum for more info.
wnycollector
Member
S&W M1917, 45acp, 5" barrel, Square butt, S/N 185171
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Radagast
Member
wnycollector:
1938 for your gun - that was the period that S&W was stockpiling frames and parts, trying to keep its staff employed during the Great Depression, so completed guns did not necessarily ship consecutively or rapidly.
Serial number 180455 shipped 7th February 1929. then serial numbers in the 16974x range shipped to Brazil in 1937 - out of sequence.
The standard Catalog of S&W notes a large shipment in 1938 to Brazil, covering most guns in the serial range 181983 to 207043. That suggests that most of the stock of parts were used up at that point.
So I'm fairly confident yours went out the door by 1938, but it could have been any time from 1929 to 1938, with 1938 being most likely.
If the side plate is stamped 1937 then its definitely a Brazilian gun.
1938 for your gun - that was the period that S&W was stockpiling frames and parts, trying to keep its staff employed during the Great Depression, so completed guns did not necessarily ship consecutively or rapidly.
Serial number 180455 shipped 7th February 1929. then serial numbers in the 16974x range shipped to Brazil in 1937 - out of sequence.
The standard Catalog of S&W notes a large shipment in 1938 to Brazil, covering most guns in the serial range 181983 to 207043. That suggests that most of the stock of parts were used up at that point.
So I'm fairly confident yours went out the door by 1938, but it could have been any time from 1929 to 1938, with 1938 being most likely.
If the side plate is stamped 1937 then its definitely a Brazilian gun.
Radagast
Member
handle02:
Your Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight was manufactured in 1971 or 1972, with 1971 being most likely.
Your Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight was manufactured in 1971 or 1972, with 1971 being most likely.
Radagast
Member
HoploDad:
Actually I'm just a guy with a book that was authored by two very educated men, Jim Supica & Richard Nahas: The Standard Catalog of S&W 3rd Edition. Mr Supica is now Director of the NRA museum.
From the SCSW: Product code 100924 25-7 5 inch barrel, blue, glass bead finish, unfluted cylinder, manufactured in 1987, .45 colt, laser engraved ".45 Cal Model of 1989", M25-9 1989.
The 25-7 variant began production in 1988 & the 25-9 replaced it in 1990.
From the above I would guess the majority of the guns were 25-7, manufactured in 1987, with a follow up run of 25-9s in 1989 to meet demand.
That's all I can give you.
Actually I'm just a guy with a book that was authored by two very educated men, Jim Supica & Richard Nahas: The Standard Catalog of S&W 3rd Edition. Mr Supica is now Director of the NRA museum.
From the SCSW: Product code 100924 25-7 5 inch barrel, blue, glass bead finish, unfluted cylinder, manufactured in 1987, .45 colt, laser engraved ".45 Cal Model of 1989", M25-9 1989.
The 25-7 variant began production in 1988 & the 25-9 replaced it in 1990.
From the above I would guess the majority of the guns were 25-7, manufactured in 1987, with a follow up run of 25-9s in 1989 to meet demand.
That's all I can give you.
Kernel
Member
BFJ69XX ………….. Nov 7, 1990 (M25-9 .45 Colt 5“) TS UF 100924 1pc-box 0311
They were still shipping some in late 1990. This one had target stocks and an unfluted cylinder. Shipped in the old one piece blue cardboard box. I got this info, mostly, off the end label. The dash number I had to get off the gun itself, since S&W typically does not put dash numbers on end labels. Not in the '80's & '90's anyway.
They were still shipping some in late 1990. This one had target stocks and an unfluted cylinder. Shipped in the old one piece blue cardboard box. I got this info, mostly, off the end label. The dash number I had to get off the gun itself, since S&W typically does not put dash numbers on end labels. Not in the '80's & '90's anyway.
Radagast
Member
Thanks, Kernel.
Radagast
Member
HoploDad:
Kernel was kind enough to send me a copy of his own serial range research, which adds to the data in the SCSW. I forgot to consult it when looking up your gun.
Kernel was kind enough to send me a copy of his own serial range research, which adds to the data in the SCSW. I forgot to consult it when looking up your gun.
Radagast
Member
ruger1228: Early 1985.
Model 60, j frame stainless 2 inch 38 special. serial # R174251
Is this a 'Cheif's Special' it's not marked as such.
Is this a 'Cheif's Special' it's not marked as such.
Thank you for providing the information Radagast. It is appreciated.
Radagast
Member
Dr Rob:
It's a Model 60 .38 Chiefs Special Stainless from 1974-1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000, so 1977 seems likely.
Very few S&Ws were marked with the Model name, the Highway Patrolman & Regulation Police, come to mind. After the introduction of model numbers in 1957, all S&Ws were marked with the model number.
It's a Model 60 .38 Chiefs Special Stainless from 1974-1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000, so 1977 seems likely.
Very few S&Ws were marked with the Model name, the Highway Patrolman & Regulation Police, come to mind. After the introduction of model numbers in 1957, all S&Ws were marked with the model number.
Radagast
Member
ruger1228:
A little bit of extra info, your gun predates the 29-3E 'endurance package' design changes intended to stop the gun going out of time when shot constantly with .44 Magnums. The introduction of Metallic Silhouette saw the Model 29 being put through its paces hard, and certain faults became apparent that were not so obvious on a once a year hunting or range queen gun, including timing issues.
If you shoot it a lot, it may be a good idea to have a slightly downloaded range load to help extend its life.
A little bit of extra info, your gun predates the 29-3E 'endurance package' design changes intended to stop the gun going out of time when shot constantly with .44 Magnums. The introduction of Metallic Silhouette saw the Model 29 being put through its paces hard, and certain faults became apparent that were not so obvious on a once a year hunting or range queen gun, including timing issues.
If you shoot it a lot, it may be a good idea to have a slightly downloaded range load to help extend its life.
Thanks! I don't know much about Smith and Wessons.
Hey, that's great - thank you. The bead-blasted matte finish with Goodyear grips make the 25-7 a factory rat-rod amongst Pebble Beach revolvers. How interesting that the Model of 1989 had about a 2 year run!
Geezer Glide
Member
Can you give the birth year of my
Smith & Wesson
Model 10-5
.38 Special
Blue
4inch barrel
SN D357XXX
Thanks.
Smith & Wesson
Model 10-5
.38 Special
Blue
4inch barrel
SN D357XXX
Thanks.
