Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

Technically the .38 Military & Police was the precursor to the Model 10, the .32-20 gun was an evolutionary dead end that used the same frame and action. It died out during the Great Depression, when the .357 Magnum and .38 Heavy Duty rounds became available for hunting, at the same time the .32-20 was losing popularity as a lever action rifle round, so the idea of matching rifle and revolver was also going away.
Production ended with WWII and the priority given to military contracts. After WWII the .32 S&W Long was reintroduced as a target and pocket gun round, the .32-20 was not.
 
Hello all! Again!
I have acquired two new S&W revolvers, they are described as follows:
#1
a) .38 Special
b) 4"
c) Square
d) 6-shot
e) Fixed
f) D621331
G*) MOD 10-5

#2
a) .32-20 (.32 Winchester)
b) 5"
c) Square
d) 6-shot
e) Fixed
f) 38055
No model #

Many thanks!

PS: I have attached photos of the revolvers. Disregard the top-most revolver, for that one was already mentioned earlier on this thread. Thanks again. 20170120_131101.jpg 20170120_131028.jpg
 
NottheFace:
Your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel was manufactured in 1973 or 1974. Serial range for those years was D510001 to D659901, so 1974 seems likely.
Your .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 2nd Change was manufactured between 1906 and 1909. Serial range for those years was 33501 to 45200. This gun predates the heat treatment of cylinders. Current lead 'Cowboy' loads should be fine. The old 'High Speed' jacketed ammo was for rifles only and was known to bulge barrels in the S&W revolvers. No longer in production, avoid if you find any. Hot handloads are out.
The gun predates the positive hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun. Treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.
 
Radagast said:
NottheFace:
Your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel was manufactured in 1973 or 1974. Serial range for those years was D510001 to D659901, so 1974 seems likely.
Your .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 2nd Change was manufactured between 1906 and 1909. Serial range for those years was 33501 to 45200. This gun predates the heat treatment of cylinders. Current lead 'Cowboy' loads should be fine. The old 'High Speed' jacketed ammo was for rifles only and was known to bulge barrels in the S&W revolvers. No longer in production, avoid if you find any. Hot handloads are out.
The gun predates the positive hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun. Treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the hammer down on an empty chamber.
Click to expand...

Thank you kindly.
 
38 Special
5 shot
2" bbl
Round grip
Fixed sights
Model 36
S/NABW7131 v
Appears to be
Be factory Nickle
Thanks lots!
ZVP
 
ZVP:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1983.
The test for factory nickel is to look at the hammer and trigger. S&W left those color case hardened, after market finishes to hide corrosion often have the hammer and trigger nickeled as well.
 
popeye:
Your Model 649 Bodyguard Stainless was manufactured in late 1992 or early 1993, probably shipping in 1993.
Your Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight was manufactured between 1959 (serial number 163051) & 1962 (serial number 295000). If I had to pick a year I would guesstimate 1959 or early 1960.
 
Last edited:
No trouble at all, its a pleasure to help my fellow shooters. Also I fixed the typo. 1959 or 1960 for the Model 38, not 1959 or 1970.
 
Kennygee:
Model 25 / Model of 1955 Heavy Barrel Target, available in .45 ACP or .45 Long Colt. Your's serial numbers to 1990, so it could be a 25-7 or 25-9, the design change (longer cylinder stop notches) occurred that year. Product code was probably 100909, at least for the 25-7. Listed as 8 & 3/8 inch barrel, N frame, Target Sights, Target Trigger, Target hammer, Red Ramp Front Sight, White Outline Rear, caliber .45 Long Colt.
 
1. 357 magnum, stainless
2. 4" barrel
3. K frame with square butt, wood grips
4. Model 65-2 Serial #37625
5. pinned barrel, 6 recessed cylinders
6. Fixed notch type rear sight
 
Edcnh:
The Model 65 .357 Magnum Military & Police Stainless Heavy Barrel was manufactured from 1977 to 1982. There should be a D in the serial number, in the range 1D1 to 17D8900.
The number you have quoted is probably an assembly number, stamped on fitted parts at the factory. The serial number is sometimes under the cylinder yoke cut out, but always can be found on the bottom edge of the grip frame. If you have target stocks or aftermarket rubber grips then you may have to remove them to see the serial number.
Get back to me with the serial number and I'll give you the year.
 
A) 38
B) 2"
C) square
D) 6
E) Non adjustable
F) C4935XX
G) Mod 10

Thanks for your dedication to this. You've helped so many!!!
 
knee-dragger777:
.38 Military & Police Postwar, manufactured between 1948 & 1951 in the serial range C1 to C223998. I believe the C prefix started in May '48, so I'm guesstimating 1950 for your gun. Model numbers were introduced in 1957, when the .38 Military & Police became the Model 10.
 
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