Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

cparty27:
That serial number indicates a .38 Military & Police Postwar manufactured between 1945 (serial number S811120) & March 1948 (serial number S978924). It is considered a transitional model, as it has the pre-war 'long action' hammer, which was replaced with the new Short Action in 1948. It also incorporates the positive hammer block safety introduced in 1944 and still used today.

 

[Wey]

Some info about my Smith and Wesson 19-4

caliber 357 mag
Barrel length 6 inch
Grip shape Finger style grips
Type of Sights Target sights
Serial # 56K3806
Model 19-4

 

[Radagast]

Wey:
Your Model 19-4 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1979. The frame is a medium K frame and with a six inch barrel it should be the square butt variant.
The Model 19 is noted for occasionally cracking the forcing cone when fired with 125 grain magnum ammunition. Stick to .38 Specials or the heavier 158 grain .357 magnums.
More info here:
http://www.gunblast.com/Butch_MagnumLoads.htm

 

[Wey]

Thanks you

Thank you very much for the info really appreciate that

 

[knee-dragger777]

Need your help again Rada

38 special
J Frame
ramp sight
S/N 39530

What is the model? Baby Chief?

Thanks again in advance

 

[rcmodel]

About 1954.

Not a Baby Chief, as they would have a round front sight and a shorter, 'rounder' trigger guard.

It sounds like what I would consider a J-Frame flat-latch 5-screw.

But without a picture, that's just a WAG.

Radagast will be along to sort it out further for you.

Rc

 

[Radagast]

Serial number 38217 shipped in February 1954, so 1954 seems fairly certain for your gun. It is a Chiefs Special, the Baby Chief with an I frame grip & trigger guard was from 1950/51.
It should be a 4 screw gun with flat latch and ramp front sight.

 

[knee-dragger777]

Rada,

Thanks!! It does have a flat thumb latch, and 4 screws (sorry should have mentioned the number of side plate screws in original post) Thanks again!!

 

[forindooruseonly]

Hello, I have another one I'd like to know the date of:

Caliber - .38 special
barrel length - 2"
Grip shape - square
Number of shots/cylinder bores - 5
Type of sights - fixed
Serial numbers - J1618xx
Model number if it is under the crane - Model 36 (no dash)

Thank you

 

[Radagast]

forindooruseonly:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to 1973.

 

[Squall67584]

Hello,

I've got a 29-2, 6 1/2" barrel, S/N N738XX.

Also have a 29-3 with a 4" barrel, S/N JF894X.

Curious about when these were made. Thanks!

 

[Radagast]

Squall67584:
Your Model 29-2 .44 Magnum dates to 1980. The Model 29-3 serial number is missing a digit. The Format should be Nxxxxx or three letters followed by four numerals, for example AAA1111. If the serial is in the AAA1111 pattern, then it falls between 1983 & 1987.

 

[Squall67584]

Thanks for the info! I double checked the 29-3, and it's AJF89X. The A looks more like a triangle and isn't as deep as the rest, so I didn't think it was part of the serial number.

 

[Radagast]

Squall67584:
Late 1986 or early 1987 for that serial number.

 

[bannockburn]

Came across a Model 12 the other day at the LGS. It had a 2" pinned barrel, square butt configuration, and looked to be in mint condition. Serial number was something like D346XXX. Any idea when it was made? Thanks for any info you can come up with.

 

[Radagast]

bannockburn:
1971 for that Model 12 .38 Military & Police Airweight.

 

[bannockburn]

Radagast

Thanks much for the info. Too much going on this week but will try to take another look at it (hopefully), this weekend.

 

[knee-dragger777]

Need your help again Rada

Rada,

S&W 32 Winchester, 6 shot, 4 screw side plate, diamond surrounding the mounting screw on plastic grips, round front sight, SN 30840.

What model is it?

 

[Radagast]

knee-dragger777:
.32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 1st Change manufactured between 1906 & 1909. Serial range was 22427 to 33500, so 1909 seems likely.
Predates heat treatment of cylinders, so do not use hot hand loads.
Early high speed jacketed rifle ammo was known for bulging barrels. Stick to lead only factory rounds.
Predates the positive hammer block safety. I would treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.

 

[knee-dragger777]

Thank you and Merry Christmas

As the holidays begin to arrive, I wanted to express my gratitude for your unwavering assistance to me with my sometimes "newby" questions. You have helped me out greatly. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and prosperous new year!!

 

[Radagast]

I enjoy helping my fellow shooters and it only takes a few minutes a day.
I hope you and yours have a great holiday season and success in your future endeavors.

 

[dolphman]

Can someone help with date of manuf and possible price this revolver goes for? It was given to me by my father and it is in great condition. I believe that it was made in 1988 but I have no way to verify.


Thanks in advance!

Model 686-3
Caliber - .357 magnum
barrel length - 4"\
Grip shape - black rubber hogue
Number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
Type of sights - red front sight
Serial number- BEJ46XX
http://i60.tinypic.com/2hid090.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Radagast]

dolphman:
Your Model 686-3 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1989. Guns in the BEKxxxx serial range shipped in October of that year. Value is probably between $550 & $650.
Check out the auctions at:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/BI.aspx?Keywords=*smith+&+wesson+686
The guns under $600 are getting bids, the ones asking over $700 are finishing with no bids.
Personally, unless I needed the money, I would not sell it. It predates the engineering changes that are looked down on by collectors. It lacks the internal lock and has all forged steel parts instead of metal injection molded (MIM) components. Unfortunately it is not drilled and tapped for a scope, but as an iron sight gun its close to ideal.

 

[jscott479]

Hi. Would like date of manufacture. Glad to be new member
A 22LR
B 4"
C square butt
D 6 shot
E adj sight's
F ABD2004
G Model 63
Thanks,Jeff

 

[Radagast]

jscott479:
Your Model 63 1977 .22/32 Kit Gun Stainless was manufactured in 1982.
Its the Model of 1977, because that was the year it was introduced in stainless steel. The original blued steel gun was the Model of 1953.
.22/32 because the original gun was a .22 built on the .32 sized I frame. Your gun is actually built on the .38 sized J frame.
Kit Gun because it was originally intended as a gun that campers or fishermen would throw in their kit bag.
Stainless because it is!

Hope that helps. Welcome to THR!