saenzrich
Member
Thank you Sir
Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
identify?
a) .38 special
b) 4 in
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) fixed sights, 'half moon front sight'
f) C272229
g) under the 'crane' if I understand correctly is the space seen when the cylinder is rolled out. If so the # that is there is 17620. there is also a letter J in this space as well. The J is above the #
Would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you very much in advance.
a) .38 special
b) 4 in
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) fixed sights, 'half moon front sight'
f) C272229
g) under the 'crane' if I understand correctly is the space seen when the cylinder is rolled out. If so the # that is there is 17620. there is also a letter J in this space as well. The J is above the #
Would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you very much in advance.
Radagast
Member
ktrobins:
Terminology: Crane = Colt speak, Yoke = S&W speak. Its the bit that joins the cylinder to the frame.
The J & 17620 are assembly numbers, used to track fitted parts in the factory. They are not recorded and have no meaning after the gun is manufactured.
C272229 is the serial number. The C prefix indicates a fixed sight 'K' or medium frame revolver. In your case this is a Pre-Model 10, the .38 Military & Police Postwar, manufactured in 1953. Model numbers were not introduced until 1957, hence 'pre-model 10'. The Model 10 is still produced in a modified design.
There is a very slight chance that the gun is a pre-Model 12, the.38 Military & Police Airweight with an aluminum frame and cylinder. If so it is a) unsafe to shoot and b) a collectors item. S&W replaced the aluminum cylinder on the Airweight in 1954 due to cracking cylinders. Put a magnet on it. If it sticks its safe to fire with any current commercial .38 Special ammunition.
Terminology: Crane = Colt speak, Yoke = S&W speak. Its the bit that joins the cylinder to the frame.
The J & 17620 are assembly numbers, used to track fitted parts in the factory. They are not recorded and have no meaning after the gun is manufactured.
C272229 is the serial number. The C prefix indicates a fixed sight 'K' or medium frame revolver. In your case this is a Pre-Model 10, the .38 Military & Police Postwar, manufactured in 1953. Model numbers were not introduced until 1957, hence 'pre-model 10'. The Model 10 is still produced in a modified design.
There is a very slight chance that the gun is a pre-Model 12, the.38 Military & Police Airweight with an aluminum frame and cylinder. If so it is a) unsafe to shoot and b) a collectors item. S&W replaced the aluminum cylinder on the Airweight in 1954 due to cracking cylinders. Put a magnet on it. If it sticks its safe to fire with any current commercial .38 Special ammunition.
4' barrel. On left side of barrel stamped E or Epsilon symbol followed by 38 S&W Special CTG
right side several patent dates the first is march 27 94 last patd is Sept 14 09
under the yoke is 2966
Serial number on bottom of square grip is 245730
front sight is a half moon the grip is fine checked with an S&W medallion at the top.
Looking for any information about manufacture dates. Family legend is that this was my fathers pistol in 1st MAW during Korea although there have been many fables in past.
V/R
right side several patent dates the first is march 27 94 last patd is Sept 14 09
under the yoke is 2966
Serial number on bottom of square grip is 245730
front sight is a half moon the grip is fine checked with an S&W medallion at the top.
Looking for any information about manufacture dates. Family legend is that this was my fathers pistol in 1st MAW during Korea although there have been many fables in past.
V/R
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Radagast
Member
Sawfish:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured in 1915 or 1916.
It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard pressure lead only loads.
It predates the positive hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944. I recommend treating it as a 5 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.
It's unlikely that particular gun saw military service. Several thousand guns were sold to the US military in the 1930s and close to a million in the 1940s. Your serial number is 200,000 to early to be one of them.
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured in 1915 or 1916.
It predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard pressure lead only loads.
It predates the positive hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun in 1944. I recommend treating it as a 5 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.
It's unlikely that particular gun saw military service. Several thousand guns were sold to the US military in the 1930s and close to a million in the 1940s. Your serial number is 200,000 to early to be one of them.
NapalmMan67
Member
Model 586 Adj. rear sight, ramp front. Square butt, 5 7/8" barrel.
S/N is either AAH2391 or AAM2391- funky looking H or M. I tried to get a picture to post but don't have a high enough resolution camera.
Thanks.
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S/N is either AAH2391 or AAM2391- funky looking H or M. I tried to get a picture to post but don't have a high enough resolution camera.
Thanks.
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el indio
Member
Got two
First is a New Departure 32 cal. 3.5 inch bbl. Serial is 830xx. Last patent date is 8/4/85. Next is a 32/20 hand ejector. 6 inch bbl. 695xx. there is a star as the last digit on the 6 digit serial number. Any and all help is appreciated.
First is a New Departure 32 cal. 3.5 inch bbl. Serial is 830xx. Last patent date is 8/4/85. Next is a 32/20 hand ejector. 6 inch bbl. 695xx. there is a star as the last digit on the 6 digit serial number. Any and all help is appreciated.
Attachments
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Radagast
Member
NapalmMan67:
Late 1982 for your Distinguished Combat Magnum, regardless of the H or M. Barrel length is six inches, unless it has been cut back.
There is a recall on this model, with some magnum ammo there is the possibility of the primer flowing back into the firing pin bushing and locking the gun. S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing.
Late 1982 for your Distinguished Combat Magnum, regardless of the H or M. Barrel length is six inches, unless it has been cut back.
There is a recall on this model, with some magnum ammo there is the possibility of the primer flowing back into the firing pin bushing and locking the gun. S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing.
Radagast
Member
The .32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model falls between August 1894 (serial number 53254) & 1902 (serial number 91418). My guesstimate is 1899 or 1900.
the .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured between 1915 (serial number 65701) & 1919 (serial number 81287). My guesstimate is 1915 or 1916, after that war time production for the British Empire and then the USA would have taken precedent.
the .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured between 1915 (serial number 65701) & 1919 (serial number 81287). My guesstimate is 1915 or 1916, after that war time production for the British Empire and then the USA would have taken precedent.
el indio
Member
Radagast, thanks, I appreciate it. Any idea about the star at the end of 32-20 serial number?
Radagast
Member
Sorry I forgot that, the star indicates a factory repair or refinish. Check the underside of the barrel and see if the serial number matches the one on the frame. Bulged barrels from shooting rifle only ammo are a known issue with these guns. Current commercial 'cowboy' loads are designed to be safe in both revolvers and rifles.
NapalmMan67
Member
Thank you radagst!
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el indio
Member
Thanks Radagast. Your knowledge is amazing.
Radagast
Member
el indio:
Thanks for the kind words. Most of my info is sourced from the Standard Catalog of S&W, third edition by Supica & Nahas. Buy one and you too can be an internet expert!
Citadel99:
1955 for that K22 .22 Target Masterpiece.
Thanks for the kind words. Most of my info is sourced from the Standard Catalog of S&W, third edition by Supica & Nahas. Buy one and you too can be an internet expert!
Citadel99:
1955 for that K22 .22 Target Masterpiece.
NapalmMan67
Member
Well thank you radagst for sharing all the info you have. You've been a great help!
How about a Model 25-5. 6" barrel, adj. rear sight, ramp front. Appears to be all orginal- S/N N716166
I think that's the correct s/n on it, I'm working off a crummy picture.
Thank you.
.
How about a Model 25-5. 6" barrel, adj. rear sight, ramp front. Appears to be all orginal- S/N N716166
I think that's the correct s/n on it, I'm working off a crummy picture.
Thank you.
.
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Radagast
Member
NapalmMan67:
That Model 25-5 / 1955 Model .45 Target Heavy Barrel in .45 Colt was manufactured in 1980.
That Model 25-5 / 1955 Model .45 Target Heavy Barrel in .45 Colt was manufactured in 1980.
NapalmMan67
Member
Thank you again radagast! You rock.
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a) caliber- 38spl
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)- ~1.8 in
c) grips shape (round or square)- Round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores- 5
e) type of sights.- Fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip- BRM2201
g) Model number if it is under the crane.- 37-2
Hi all, I believe I have a pretty standard Airweight here. Was just hoping to get a year manufactured. I appreciate any help.
Thanks,
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)- ~1.8 in
c) grips shape (round or square)- Round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores- 5
e) type of sights.- Fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip- BRM2201
g) Model number if it is under the crane.- 37-2
Hi all, I believe I have a pretty standard Airweight here. Was just hoping to get a year manufactured. I appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Radagast
Member
wfjpjr:
Your Model 37-2 .38 Chiefs Special Airweight was manufactured in 1994. That year there was a change to Uncle Mikes grips and the Airweight logo laser engraved on the side plate.
Your Model 37-2 .38 Chiefs Special Airweight was manufactured in 1994. That year there was a change to Uncle Mikes grips and the Airweight logo laser engraved on the side plate.
cartwrightbj
Member
Smith and Wesson Hammerless Revolver 1880's?
Can anyone tell me anything about the S & W Hammerless Revolvers. I inherited one recently and was wanting some information on it. It has pearl handles, grip safety, 5 shot, serial number starting with 151, and patent dates of 1883, 1885, and 1889. Barrel is 3 1/4 inches long. Any information would be helpful. Thank you.
Can anyone tell me anything about the S & W Hammerless Revolvers. I inherited one recently and was wanting some information on it. It has pearl handles, grip safety, 5 shot, serial number starting with 151, and patent dates of 1883, 1885, and 1889. Barrel is 3 1/4 inches long. Any information would be helpful. Thank you.
