Derry 1946
Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2011
- Messages
- 516
Thank you very much, Radagast!
Derry
Derry
Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
woxof
Member
Pistol from family estate.
.357 Mag.
4" bbl.
Round
6 shots
Fixed front...adj. rear.
S&W 19-3
7K299XX
.357 Mag.
4" bbl.
Round
6 shots
Fixed front...adj. rear.
S&W 19-3
7K299XX
Last edited:
Radagast
Member
woxoff:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1978 or 1979, with 1978 the more probable date.
It is a K frame, square butt gun, aftermarket grips are readily available.
The Model 19 was noted for cracking the forcing cone with 125 grain loads, I suggest you read this article and govern your choice of ammo accordingly:
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm
The above said, the Model 19 is a classic self defense pistol and a favorite with many revolver shooters. Stronger guns are available, but they lack its balance and feel.
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1978 or 1979, with 1978 the more probable date.
It is a K frame, square butt gun, aftermarket grips are readily available.
The Model 19 was noted for cracking the forcing cone with 125 grain loads, I suggest you read this article and govern your choice of ammo accordingly:
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm
The above said, the Model 19 is a classic self defense pistol and a favorite with many revolver shooters. Stronger guns are available, but they lack its balance and feel.
hello
would love some info on this one..
.32 H.E. 5 screw, with strain screw, Ser.# 217066. 4 inch barrel, has some strange grips.
Grips have a target with bullet holes in a circle at the top, and extend below the butt, where it has a second screw. I was told these could be target grips, but they may not be original to the pistol.
thanks
would love some info on this one..
.32 H.E. 5 screw, with strain screw, Ser.# 217066. 4 inch barrel, has some strange grips.
Grips have a target with bullet holes in a circle at the top, and extend below the butt, where it has a second screw. I was told these could be target grips, but they may not be original to the pistol.
thanks
Radagast
Member
goste:
The factory target grips did extend past the butt, allowing a full hand hold. From your description I think yours are aftermarket or customized.
Serial number 217066 makes your gun a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 & 1917 in the serial range 102501 to 263000. It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so don't try hot rodding handloads in it. Factory standard pressure ammunition should be fine.
It also predates the positive internal hammer block introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944. I would treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
The factory target grips did extend past the butt, allowing a full hand hold. From your description I think yours are aftermarket or customized.
Serial number 217066 makes your gun a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 & 1917 in the serial range 102501 to 263000. It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so don't try hot rodding handloads in it. Factory standard pressure ammunition should be fine.
It also predates the positive internal hammer block introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944. I would treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
el indio
Member
looking to buy this one for a good price. k-frame, 357 cal, model 13-2, 4 inch bbl, and serial number 729xx. thanks for you help. also has presentation grips.
Radagast
Member
el indio:
The number you have quoted is not the serial number. The serial number will have a K in it, falling into the serial range 10K001 to 269K999. You are probably quoting an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory, but not recorded after the gun is assembled.
You may need to remove the grips to see the serial number. Get back to me with the number and I'll give you the year.
The 13-2 .357 magnum Military & Police Heavy barrel was produced between 1977 & 1982.
The number you have quoted is not the serial number. The serial number will have a K in it, falling into the serial range 10K001 to 269K999. You are probably quoting an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory, but not recorded after the gun is assembled.
You may need to remove the grips to see the serial number. Get back to me with the number and I'll give you the year.
The 13-2 .357 magnum Military & Police Heavy barrel was produced between 1977 & 1982.
el indio
Member
thanks for the info. it seems as if i have a problem. I removed the grips and found the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame. it doesn't have a k in the number. the number is 9d77xx. i hope this helps.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You don't have a problem.
Only the Target /adjustable sighted guns had a K in the serial number
Your fixed sight gun was produced in 1982.
rc
Only the Target /adjustable sighted guns had a K in the serial number
Your fixed sight gun was produced in 1982.
rc
el indio
Member
rcmodel, thank you for the info. guess i'll buy it.
Radagast
Member
elindio: rcmodel is correct. I had a brain fade when looking up the serial range.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
12 weeks since I sent in the request to S&W for a letter. 10 weeks since they cashed my check.
Still no letter......
Still no letter......
Radagast
Member
T'was running around 4 months, back in March, per this thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/362383-factory-letter-current-wait-time.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/362383-factory-letter-current-wait-time.html
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Good info. Thanks man.
Hiddenhider
Member
Hello guys,
My stepdad has this S&W revolver that I'd like to get some information on.
Sorry, my resizer isn't cooperating.
The barrel is marked 38 S&W Ctg. It's funny because that's the second pistol I've seen in this old caliber this week.
His local gun store couldn't identify it, they said that these small frame revolvers were never made in this caliber.
Can anyone identify the model and date range? Serial number on bottom of butt is 77206.
Thank you,
John
My stepdad has this S&W revolver that I'd like to get some information on.
Sorry, my resizer isn't cooperating.
The barrel is marked 38 S&W Ctg. It's funny because that's the second pistol I've seen in this old caliber this week.
His local gun store couldn't identify it, they said that these small frame revolvers were never made in this caliber.
Can anyone identify the model and date range? Serial number on bottom of butt is 77206.
Thank you,
John
Radagast
Member
Hiddenhider:
Your stepdad's gun is a .38/32 Terrier Postwar.
These are built on the small .32 caliber sized I frame & improved I frame. the gun in question lacks the screw in the front strap, so it is a coil mainspring improved I frame. It still has the upper sideplate screw, so it is a 4 screw model. That dates it to between 1953 & 1955.
The slightly larger J frame .38 Special Chiefs Special was introduced in 1950 and effectively replaced the Terrier which became an obscure model.
Your stepdad's gun is a .38/32 Terrier Postwar.
These are built on the small .32 caliber sized I frame & improved I frame. the gun in question lacks the screw in the front strap, so it is a coil mainspring improved I frame. It still has the upper sideplate screw, so it is a 4 screw model. That dates it to between 1953 & 1955.
The slightly larger J frame .38 Special Chiefs Special was introduced in 1950 and effectively replaced the Terrier which became an obscure model.
Hiddenhider
Member
So it is an original model, thank you Radagast.
Radagast
Member
Hiddenhider:
The finish is not original. Poor fitment of the side plate and the nickel hammer and trigger indicate an aftermarket refinish sometime in the past.
The finish is not original. Poor fitment of the side plate and the nickel hammer and trigger indicate an aftermarket refinish sometime in the past.
a) 38 Special
b) 4"
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) fixed, half round front sight
f) S734xx
g) pre-model numbers
I know it is a long action 38/44 Heavy Duty. I believe it was made between 1946 to somewhere in the early 50's. I was wondering more precisely what year it was made. I also was wondering if this (post war, long action) is what is referred to as 38/44 transitional models.
My grandfather, who is deceased, carried it for 30+ years as a police officer. I am not sure, but I believe he had it nickeled after buying it. The only thing that is blued is the extractor star, which is the same as a 70's factory nickeled 3 1/2" model 27 I used to own. The hammer and trigger are NOT case hardened; they are nickeled as well. Based of the nickeled hammer and trigger, it probably was nickeled after it left the factory, right?
THANKS!
b) 4"
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) fixed, half round front sight
f) S734xx
g) pre-model numbers
I know it is a long action 38/44 Heavy Duty. I believe it was made between 1946 to somewhere in the early 50's. I was wondering more precisely what year it was made. I also was wondering if this (post war, long action) is what is referred to as 38/44 transitional models.
My grandfather, who is deceased, carried it for 30+ years as a police officer. I am not sure, but I believe he had it nickeled after buying it. The only thing that is blued is the extractor star, which is the same as a 70's factory nickeled 3 1/2" model 27 I used to own. The hammer and trigger are NOT case hardened; they are nickeled as well. Based of the nickeled hammer and trigger, it probably was nickeled after it left the factory, right?
THANKS!
Radagast
Member
vwfool:
Your Grandfathers' .38/44 Heavy Duty Postwar was manufactured in 1949-1950, serial range for those years was S72500 to S74999.
It has been refinished, the hammer and trigger are the give away. A factory refinish would have left these color case hardened.
it is a transitional model, in so far as it should have the post 1944 hammer block, but still uses the long action, the short action was transitioned in from 1948.
Your Grandfathers' .38/44 Heavy Duty Postwar was manufactured in 1949-1950, serial range for those years was S72500 to S74999.
It has been refinished, the hammer and trigger are the give away. A factory refinish would have left these color case hardened.
it is a transitional model, in so far as it should have the post 1944 hammer block, but still uses the long action, the short action was transitioned in from 1948.
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knee-dragger777
Member
Need model ID help.
I am new here and stumbled upon it using a search engine for finding model information from serial numbers. I have a 4" barrel 4 screw side plate. Grooved rear sight, and molded in the barrel half moon front sight. I believe to be a 38 special cal. but it seems the "3" is missing on the barrel. the numbers on the but and under the extractor rod are identical--349491. Looks to be blued. Looks like a K frame square grip.
Thanks in advance.
I am new here and stumbled upon it using a search engine for finding model information from serial numbers. I have a 4" barrel 4 screw side plate. Grooved rear sight, and molded in the barrel half moon front sight. I believe to be a 38 special cal. but it seems the "3" is missing on the barrel. the numbers on the but and under the extractor rod are identical--349491. Looks to be blued. Looks like a K frame square grip.
Thanks in advance.
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Radagast
Member
knee-dragger777:
Assuming a six shot gun, in .38 S&W Special, then it is either a K frame or an N frame.
The N frame serial range would have an S or N before the number, so it appears you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured between September 1919 (serial no 316648) & December 1920 (serial number 358xxx).
It has a heat treated cylinder, so it should be safe to fire with any standard pressure load. I would not shoot PlusP ammunition through such an old gun, as over the years I've seen a few reports of bulged cylinders and barrels from that time period.
It lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in WWII, so I would treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
Assuming a six shot gun, in .38 S&W Special, then it is either a K frame or an N frame.
The N frame serial range would have an S or N before the number, so it appears you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured between September 1919 (serial no 316648) & December 1920 (serial number 358xxx).
It has a heat treated cylinder, so it should be safe to fire with any standard pressure load. I would not shoot PlusP ammunition through such an old gun, as over the years I've seen a few reports of bulged cylinders and barrels from that time period.
It lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in WWII, so I would treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
Schofield3
Member
New century 1st model
I believe I have a 1st model triple lock but would greatly appreciate some confirmation:
a) 44 special
b) 6.5" barrel length
c) square grips shape
d) 6 shot
e) fixed iron sights
f) serial number, 10167 from bottom of grip
I would be super interested in learning what year of manufacture it is. thanks guys in advance!
I believe I have a 1st model triple lock but would greatly appreciate some confirmation:
a) 44 special
b) 6.5" barrel length
c) square grips shape
d) 6 shot
e) fixed iron sights
f) serial number, 10167 from bottom of grip
I would be super interested in learning what year of manufacture it is. thanks guys in advance!
Radagast
Member
Schofield3:
You will need a factory letter to get an exact D.O.B.
What I can tell you is that your gun does fall in the correct range for a .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, Triple-lock, .44 Military & Model of 1908.
Manufacture started in 1907 & serial number 118xx shipped 23rd October 1915, which leads me to believe your gun shipped in 1915.
You will need a factory letter to get an exact D.O.B.
What I can tell you is that your gun does fall in the correct range for a .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, Triple-lock, .44 Military & Model of 1908.
Manufacture started in 1907 & serial number 118xx shipped 23rd October 1915, which leads me to believe your gun shipped in 1915.
