Eureka40
Member
Radagast, thanks so much for the info. I really appreciate that!!
Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
Old 32 long revolver
OK, here goes, 6 shot swing out cylinder, double action revolver, Cylinder measures 1 1/4", I frame? Cal. 32 long, 4 screws plus 1 in front of trigger guard, S&W logo below the cylinder release. No patent dates,"Made in USA, Marcas Registradas, Smith&Wesson, Springfield,Mass. on right side on frame in front of trigger quard. 3 1/4" bbl, bbl is pinned, fixed sights, front is forged half moon blade. The knurled end of ejector rod is same diameter as the rod.Has aftermarket pearl/ivory Franzite grips, and is a square butt, but the grip frame is slightly rounded at the butt end and the grips don't fit exactly, maybe a round butt?.Under the grips it has a coil spring main spring. Ser. # is on the bottom of butt, 564,1xx, same numbers on rear face of cylinder, and behind ejector, no letter suffix.
This gun was owned by my father before 1952 at least, Some of the features seem to be for a 32HE, and some for a 32 reg. police, Any info is greatly appreciated, Thank You for your time.
OK, here goes, 6 shot swing out cylinder, double action revolver, Cylinder measures 1 1/4", I frame? Cal. 32 long, 4 screws plus 1 in front of trigger guard, S&W logo below the cylinder release. No patent dates,"Made in USA, Marcas Registradas, Smith&Wesson, Springfield,Mass. on right side on frame in front of trigger quard. 3 1/4" bbl, bbl is pinned, fixed sights, front is forged half moon blade. The knurled end of ejector rod is same diameter as the rod.Has aftermarket pearl/ivory Franzite grips, and is a square butt, but the grip frame is slightly rounded at the butt end and the grips don't fit exactly, maybe a round butt?.Under the grips it has a coil spring main spring. Ser. # is on the bottom of butt, 564,1xx, same numbers on rear face of cylinder, and behind ejector, no letter suffix.
This gun was owned by my father before 1952 at least, Some of the features seem to be for a 32HE, and some for a 32 reg. police, Any info is greatly appreciated, Thank You for your time.
Radagast
Member
gcs:
I'm fairly certain your gun dates to 1956.
The upper side plate screw was officially deleted at serial number 640980 in that year, but old parts were used up after that serial number. The half moon front sight was replaced that year with a serrated ramp and in the following year, 1957, model numbers were introduced and stamped in the cylinder yoke cut.
It has the post war hammer block safety and can be carried with all chambers loaded.
Both the .32 Hand Ejector and .32 Regulation Police had a 3.25 inch barrel and fixed sights on the round butt I frame.
The Regulation Police had a step in the back strap that allowed fitting of square to round butt adapter stocks. The .32 Hand Ejector did not have that step.
Removing your current grips will allow you to confirm which gun you have.
I'm fairly certain your gun dates to 1956.
The upper side plate screw was officially deleted at serial number 640980 in that year, but old parts were used up after that serial number. The half moon front sight was replaced that year with a serrated ramp and in the following year, 1957, model numbers were introduced and stamped in the cylinder yoke cut.
It has the post war hammer block safety and can be carried with all chambers loaded.
Both the .32 Hand Ejector and .32 Regulation Police had a 3.25 inch barrel and fixed sights on the round butt I frame.
The Regulation Police had a step in the back strap that allowed fitting of square to round butt adapter stocks. The .32 Hand Ejector did not have that step.
Removing your current grips will allow you to confirm which gun you have.
Help in Identity of S&W 38 Revolver
Hopefully the pictures are view-able. This pistol has a two inch barrel with rounded grips. It is a top break 5 shot. The number on the cylinder is 302291, I think. The number on the grip of the frame is L.46. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hopefully the pictures are view-able. This pistol has a two inch barrel with rounded grips. It is a top break 5 shot. The number on the cylinder is 302291, I think. The number on the grip of the frame is L.46. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.
Attachments
Radagast
Member
lyytinen:
Your Model 57 .41 Magnum Target was manufactured in 1980.
sonofagun:
Assuming the caliber is .38 S&W, then you have a .38 Double Action 3rd Model, manufactured between 1892 & 1895.
The serial number should be found on the bottom of the grip frame. It was also duplicated on the cylinder and the barrel. A two inch gun without a serial number and a barrel pin has probably been re-barreled or cut down.
The number on the back strap is probably a police or security rack number, these were issued by several police depts. and the American Express company.
Your Model 57 .41 Magnum Target was manufactured in 1980.
sonofagun:
Assuming the caliber is .38 S&W, then you have a .38 Double Action 3rd Model, manufactured between 1892 & 1895.
The serial number should be found on the bottom of the grip frame. It was also duplicated on the cylinder and the barrel. A two inch gun without a serial number and a barrel pin has probably been re-barreled or cut down.
The number on the back strap is probably a police or security rack number, these were issued by several police depts. and the American Express company.
Thank you Radagast
I wasn't sure what I was seeing on top of the barrel until I got your reply. It does appear the address has been shortened and the front sight sits right on top of it. Behind the site are the letters ELD MASS U.S.A. My dad referred to this pistol as his "summer" gun as he used it during the hot summers in southern Virginia as a small town police officer. Other times he used a larger 38 spl. If your dates are correct, maybe I won't continue shooting it. It works fine. Thank you for that information.
I wasn't sure what I was seeing on top of the barrel until I got your reply. It does appear the address has been shortened and the front sight sits right on top of it. Behind the site are the letters ELD MASS U.S.A. My dad referred to this pistol as his "summer" gun as he used it during the hot summers in southern Virginia as a small town police officer. Other times he used a larger 38 spl. If your dates are correct, maybe I won't continue shooting it. It works fine. Thank you for that information.
Radagast
Member
It's a black powder gun. Modern ammo is kept to the same maximum pressures, but has a different pressure curve, which may lead to rapid wear.
I would suggest loading with blackpowder or a commercial blackpowder substitute.
I would suggest loading with blackpowder or a commercial blackpowder substitute.
dogrunner
Member
How about this Radagast: Not marked as such, but obviously a M10.
#C 394647
#C 394647
Radagast
Member
dogrunner:
That will be a .38 Military & Police Postwar, the pre-model 10, manufactured 1954-1956 in the serial range C277555 to C402923.
That will be a .38 Military & Police Postwar, the pre-model 10, manufactured 1954-1956 in the serial range C277555 to C402923.
dogrunner
Member
Thank you!!
Radagast
Member
Dogrunner:
Just to add, with that serial number its almost certainly from 1956, the last year before model numbers were introduced.
Just to add, with that serial number its almost certainly from 1956, the last year before model numbers were introduced.
CajunBass
Member
Model 19, no dash, four screw. S/N K436410...Diamond Target Grips, not numbered to the gun, no numbers at all on them.
Dickieray
Member
Radagast
Member
CajunBass:
1961, the grips are period correct.
Dickieray:
your Model 25-2 / Model 1955 .45 Heavy Barrel Target was manufactured in 1977 or 1978. My guess is 1978.
1961, the grips are period correct.
Dickieray:
your Model 25-2 / Model 1955 .45 Heavy Barrel Target was manufactured in 1977 or 1978. My guess is 1978.
rugershooter45colt
Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2014
- Messages
- 1
I inherited this old S&W. Wish it could talk.
1-.38 Special
2-4" barrel
3-square butt
No model #
Only # that I can make out is on the bottom of barrel above ejector rod. No prefix:
471xxx
There is also a different # stamped on the inside of the grip.
Appears to be a very used Model 10. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks
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1-.38 Special
2-4" barrel
3-square butt
No model #
Only # that I can make out is on the bottom of barrel above ejector rod. No prefix:
471xxx
There is also a different # stamped on the inside of the grip.
Appears to be a very used Model 10. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks
Radagast
Member
rugershooter45colt:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured around 1926-1927.
This is the predecessor to the Model 10. It uses the 'long action', which was replaced after WWII with the current short action, so parts are not interchangeable.
The grips are S&W diamond Magnas, which were introduced around 1936, IIRC. I would guess they are post war replacements for the originals.
This gun lacks the positive internal hammer block introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944. I would recommend treating it as a 5 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty cylinder.
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured around 1926-1927.
This is the predecessor to the Model 10. It uses the 'long action', which was replaced after WWII with the current short action, so parts are not interchangeable.
The grips are S&W diamond Magnas, which were introduced around 1936, IIRC. I would guess they are post war replacements for the originals.
This gun lacks the positive internal hammer block introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944. I would recommend treating it as a 5 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty cylinder.
Victory model?
Caliber ??? 38 S&W or 38/200
5" barrel
Square butt
Plastic grips
Fixed blade front sight
Serial No. V 530xxx
Finish appears to be parkerized. Pinned barrel. The pistol has various stamps on the barrel, frame and cylinder; possibly inspector marks or British ID marks.
Any information on date of manufacture, stamp ID and caliber information is appreciated.
Caliber ??? 38 S&W or 38/200
5" barrel
Square butt
Plastic grips
Fixed blade front sight
Serial No. V 530xxx
Finish appears to be parkerized. Pinned barrel. The pistol has various stamps on the barrel, frame and cylinder; possibly inspector marks or British ID marks.
Any information on date of manufacture, stamp ID and caliber information is appreciated.
Attachments
Radagast
Member
Ateam-3:
You have a British Service Revolver, manufactured around 1943. The Victory Model was the .38 special version for US issue.
the Crown BNP stamp is the Birmingham Proof House stamp for smokeless powder (Birmingham Nitro Proof).
.38/200 refers to the British service load, a 200 grain lead bullet in a .38 S&W case. The .38 S&W was also known as .380 Revolver in Britain.
The .38.767" refers to the caliber and case length, IIRC.
31/2 Tons refers to the proof load used. Britain used tons instead of pounds when designating loads.
The grips are not original, as smooth walnut was used during the war.
Check the chambers as a lot of these guns were bored out to accept .38 Special and sold via mail order after the war. The rear of the chamber on converted guns is oversize, so bulged or cracked cases are possible. If it has been converted it has minimal value and should be kept to a diet of standard pressure lead loads.
If original, then there is some collector value, although not as much as for the Victory Model.
You have a British Service Revolver, manufactured around 1943. The Victory Model was the .38 special version for US issue.
the Crown BNP stamp is the Birmingham Proof House stamp for smokeless powder (Birmingham Nitro Proof).
.38/200 refers to the British service load, a 200 grain lead bullet in a .38 S&W case. The .38 S&W was also known as .380 Revolver in Britain.
The .38.767" refers to the caliber and case length, IIRC.
31/2 Tons refers to the proof load used. Britain used tons instead of pounds when designating loads.
The grips are not original, as smooth walnut was used during the war.
Check the chambers as a lot of these guns were bored out to accept .38 Special and sold via mail order after the war. The rear of the chamber on converted guns is oversize, so bulged or cracked cases are possible. If it has been converted it has minimal value and should be kept to a diet of standard pressure lead loads.
If original, then there is some collector value, although not as much as for the Victory Model.
el indio
Member
looking at a 455 hand ejector British service 455 mark II N 6 inch barrel. serial number, I was told serial number is 212xx. That's all that I have. Hope it works. the revolver has been nickel plated.
Radagast
Member
el indio:
You are looking at a .455 Mark II Hand Ejector 2nd Model manufactured between 1915 & 1917 in the serial range 6000 to 74755. My guesstimate is late 1915 or early 1916. The nickel finish is almost certainly aftermarket.
Check to see if the cylinder and ejector star have been shaved to allow .45 Long Colt to be chambered. This was a common conversion. If there is no serial number on the cylinder face then it may have been shaved.
You are looking at a .455 Mark II Hand Ejector 2nd Model manufactured between 1915 & 1917 in the serial range 6000 to 74755. My guesstimate is late 1915 or early 1916. The nickel finish is almost certainly aftermarket.
Check to see if the cylinder and ejector star have been shaved to allow .45 Long Colt to be chambered. This was a common conversion. If there is no serial number on the cylinder face then it may have been shaved.
S&W 686 CS-1 date of manufacture?
Thanks radagast for the 1986 DOM.
To correct some information from my earlier post as I had this revolver on layaway and picked it up today and discovered that it is marked CS-1 on the crane. US Customs??
a) .357
b) 4" bbl matte SS
c) RB
d) 6 shots
e) adjustable rear
f) ANE9625
g) 686 CS-1 (no "M" or "2M")
Thanks again for any information.
Rick
Thanks radagast for the 1986 DOM.
To correct some information from my earlier post as I had this revolver on layaway and picked it up today and discovered that it is marked CS-1 on the crane. US Customs??
a) .357
b) 4" bbl matte SS
c) RB
d) 6 shots
e) adjustable rear
f) ANE9625
g) 686 CS-1 (no "M" or "2M")
Thanks again for any information.
Rick
Last edited:
Radagast
Member
Yep, that's a US Customs gun, probably a commercial sale variant.
Lots of info on the CS-1 here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/231410-us-customs-service-686-cs-1-a.html
Lots of info on the CS-1 here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/231410-us-customs-service-686-cs-1-a.html
