Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[bullseye308]

Thanks so much.

 

[1KPerDay]

1KperDay:
The Model 15-3 was introduced in 1967, the change was to the rear sight leaf screw.
My guess is someone found an old sight assembly and it was used, with the frame stamped accordingly.

Thank you sir!

 

[Tabequache]

Hi Brian. I'm looking at a S&W Model 10-11 38 SP 6-shoot with a 4" barrel. SN CFK4054.

 

[Radagast]

Tabequache:
Your Model 10-11 / .38 Military & Police tapered barrel dates to August 2002.
The -11 refer to a design change, specifically to an internal firing pin and metal injection molded hammer. The previous version used a forged hammer and firing pin on the hammer nose.

 

[ljnowell]

Bought me another one!! This is an older one, the serial number is 125739 if you could help! Thanks!

 

[Radagast]

Details?

 

[ljnowell]

Details?

It was labeled a "Model of 1905." It's an old four screw side plate with what appears to be period correct grips. Tapered barrel, long action.

 

[Radagast]

ljnowell: Cool. S&W duplicated serial numbers over different models until they went to a single serial number range in 1986. Thus the question.

You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 1st Change manufactured 1906-1909 in the serial range 73251 to 146899.
Its a 5 screw gun, the fifth screw is in front of the trigger guard.
It predates heat treatment of cylinders. Stick to standard pressure lead loads.
It predates the positive hammer block safety and IIRC the early non positive hammer block safety. Treat it as a 5 shooter leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.

That said, enjoy shooting it and pics are always welcome!

 

[ljnowell]

ljnowell: Cool. S&W duplicated serial numbers over different models until they went to a single serial number range in 1986. Thus the question.

You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 1st Change manufactured 1906-1909 in the serial range 73251 to 146899.
Its a 5 screw gun, the fifth screw is in front of the trigger guard.
It predates heat treatment of cylinders. Stick to standard pressure lead loads.
It predates the positive hammer block safety and IIRC the early non positive hammer block safety. Treat it as a 5 shooter leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.

That said, enjoy shooting it and pics are always welcome!

Awesome info, thanks again!! I was lucky to walk in on this one when I did. It's been refinished but that doesn't matter much to me, it's a good looking gun.

Here is a pic, I managed to negotiate down on that price based on it's refinishing.

 

[ColeK]

I would the date of mfg of the following.
A. Caliber- 38 s&w special ctg
B. Barrel length- 5"
C. Butt- square
D. Type- 6 shot
E. Sights- none
F. Serial # D35261
G. Model# 10-5

A. Caliber- .357 Mag
B. Barrel length- 4"
C. Butt- square
D. Type- 6 shot
E. Sights- Adjustable
F. Serial # AJK7596
G. Model# 19-5

 

[357Scott]

I found this site trying to get info on a couple of revolvers inherited from my father in law, good looking site. I'd like some info on these two please.

1st
a).357 mag brushed stainless
b) barrel 4"
c) grips round
d) 6 shot
e) sights adjustable
f) serial 9K23xxx
g) model 68

2nd
a).357 mag stainless
b) barrel 6"
c) grips square (appear to be replaced)
d) 6 shot
e) sights adjustable
f) serial ACD7xxx
g) model 19-5

Thanks

 

[Radagast]

357Scott:
Your Model 68 .38 Special California Highway Patrol is a rare bird, a Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless chambered in .38 Special instead .357 magnum. For political reasons the CHiPs were not allowed to carry magnums, so they carried the same gun in .38 Special. Introduced in 1977, it was subsequently taken up by LAPD in 1983. 6055 gun were sold between 1977 and 1988, your serial number dates to 1976, which suggests an early prototype or first batch of production.

Your Model 19-5 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1983. Grips would have been walnut target stocks.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Hi Radagast!

This one is kind of interesting...

Model 10-8
Blued
4" HB
AVYxxxx

Appears to be a factory DAO, with "MPD 2038" on the frame.

Thanks!

 

[Niklasx]

Hi, just bought a 4" S&W 34-1. Serial number 1188xx

Can someone help me with year of manufacturing?

Can't wait to shoot it, but have to wait for like 6 weeks to get the license here in Sweden.

 

[357Scott]

357Scott:
Your Model 68 .38 Special California Highway Patrol is a rare bird, a Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless chambered in .38 Special instead .357 magnum. For political reasons the CHiPs were not allowed to carry magnums, so they carried the same gun in .38 Special. Introduced in 1977, it was subsequently taken up by LAPD in 1983. 6055 gun were sold between 1977 and 1988, your serial number dates to 1976, which suggests an early prototype or first batch of production.

Your Model 19-5 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1983. Grips would have been walnut target stocks.

Hi Radagast,
1st thank you for the quick response. I'd been searching online in particular on the 68 and kept seeing different descriptions. I went to S&W's site after my initial post here and got some info there in a chat though I don't know if that person is just looking at databases or knows more(?).

My question is my 68 is not stamped CHP or OHB(?) like the CHiP revolvers were. It's marked 357 on the barrel. Below is what I got in chat.

Thanks
--------------------------
Ashley: The model 68 was manufactured in 1976. We manufactured this model mostly in .357 mag, but there were some .38 Spl only models. Can you tell me what your barrel says?

Scott: 357 mag

Ashley: The Model 19 was made in 1983. Since both are chambered in .357 mag, you can use .38 Spl ammo in both of your revolvers.

Scott: thank you Ashley

 

[Radagast]

Niklasx:
Your Model 34-1 /Model of 1953 .22/.32 Kit Gun was manufactured between 1965 (serial number 108087) & 1969 (serial number 135464).
If the cylinder release is flat, 1965 or 1966. If concave, 1966 to 1969.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws, 1968 or earlier. If the checkering goes up to the screw head, then 1968 or 1969.

 

[Radagast]

.455_Hunter:
Your Model 10-8 .38 Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1987. I've no info about the other markings.

 

[Radagast]

ColeK:
Your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Policed tapered barrel was manufactured in 1968.
Your Model 19-5 .357 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1985.

 

[Radagast]

357Scott:
The Model 68 was only chambered in .38 Special. The Model 66 was the same gun in .357 Magnum.
If your gun is chambered in .357 Magnum with the longer magnum cylinder and the barrel stamped .357 Magnum, then its a Model 66 that was incorrectly stamped.

 

[fallout mike]

Can someone give me the date on

Model 30
2"
.32 long
H75xxx

 

[Radagast]

Niklasx:
Just to add,the .22/.32 refers to a .22 built on the .32 size I Frame. The -1 in Model 34-1 refers to a .22 built on the .38 size J frame after the I frame was dropped in 1961. The frame size was changed, but the model name remained the same.

fallout mike:
Your Model 30 .32 Hand Ejector was manufactured during the period 1972-75. Serial range for those years was H60000 to H99999. Production was roughly 15000 units a year between 1969 and 1972, so my guess is your gun dates to 1973.

 

[fallout mike]

Thx for the info. I saw it for sale and may buy it. What do you think the value would be in 99% condition?

 

[Radagast]

No idea. I'm Australian, my knowledge of US prices is based on discussions on this forum. & mint .32 Hand Ejectors aren't that common.
Ten years ago the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $375 for as new in box, $275 in excellent condition. A Model 36 Chiefs Special was $425 & $375 respectively. So whatever the current local cost of a Chiefs Special, less $50, may be right.

 

[smittysmith]

19-5

I appreciate this thread. Glad it has been kept going for 8 years.
Recently bought this Model 19 and was looking to see when it was made.
Thank you

19-5
a) .357 Magnum
b) 4" barrel
c) Square
d) 6 rounds
e) Adjustable
f) ABK2xxx

 

[Radagast]

smittysmith:
Your Model 19-5 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1982.