Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
Milkmaster
Member
There is indeed a 3rd side plate screw covered by the grips.
Thanks for all who have helped.
Thanks for all who have helped.
I maintain a database of serial number and shipping dates for S&W 45 ACP revolvers. Anyone who knows S&W, understands the revolvers where neither built, nor shipped in sequential fashion. I just did a quick scan and found two numbers, 12 digits apart, and the lower number shipped 16 months after the higher number. And I can find numerous other pairs with similar correlations. I can also show serial numbers being shipped in logical fashion. Or two revolvers, 22,000 numbers apart, that shipped one month apart.
So, the books that say this sequence shipped during this timeframe are not necessarily correct. One way to be sure is to request the letter from the Historical Society.
Not sure where all the funny names came from? S&W originally stamped these revolvers “Patrolman”. Maybe 5 of them were stamped as such. They were not released for sale. Florence van Orden suggested the name “Highway Patrolman” and S&W accepted her suggestion. If someone can show an image of a Model 28, any dash, with some other barrel stamp, I would love to see it.
Kevin
So, the books that say this sequence shipped during this timeframe are not necessarily correct. One way to be sure is to request the letter from the Historical Society.
Not sure where all the funny names came from? S&W originally stamped these revolvers “Patrolman”. Maybe 5 of them were stamped as such. They were not released for sale. Florence van Orden suggested the name “Highway Patrolman” and S&W accepted her suggestion. If someone can show an image of a Model 28, any dash, with some other barrel stamp, I would love to see it.
Kevin
Freudianfloyd
Member
.38 S&W Special
4" Barrel
Square Butt
6 shots
Fixed sights
I cannot tell for sure if it starts with an "S" but what I can read is V56479. There is a slight indention that appears to be a letter before the hole for the lanyard, the rest of the serial number is to the right of the lanyard hole.
Any help would be appreciated...
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Its an M&P Model of 1905 4th Change, better known as a "Victory" model, hence the V prefix. This gun was later known as Model 10 after 1957. The "slight indentation" is a lightly struck Ordnance Department Flaming Bomb acceptance symbol. WW2 production, original wartime finish but those grips are pretty hideous replacements. The correct grips are plain smooth walnut sevice panels.
Used by all branches of the US military in WW2 and beyond, with a few specimens remaining in service as late as Desert Storm.
Missing the lanyard ring and, obviously the original grips, but even so they have been climbing rapidly in value. Here locally, I would expect that gun to have $6-700 on the tag. More like $8-900 with the missing parts replaced.
An excellent revolver, enjoy!
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Freudianfloyd
Member
Thank you. It was my grandfather's glove box gun. The grips were on it when he picked it up at a yard sale several years ago. It is actually my mom's as she inherited it, but it is in my care as she doesn't have anywhere to store it.
Armored farmer
Member
Iam interested in finding d the date of mfg of my s&w revolver.
a. 38spl
b. 3"
c. Square
d. 6
e. fixed and modified sights
f. 108333
g. 2549Y or 2849Y
This gun has been highly modified and refinished. The rear sight doesn't look factory to me. The barrel looks to be shortened. The frame has been heavily buffed.
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
a. 38spl
b. 3"
c. Square
d. 6
e. fixed and modified sights
f. 108333
g. 2549Y or 2849Y
This gun has been highly modified and refinished. The rear sight doesn't look factory to me. The barrel looks to be shortened. The frame has been heavily buffed.
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jim Watson
Member
Teens or twenties.
Barrel cut to 3”, front sight cut to ramp shape and soldered back on.
Rear sight is all new, a fixed blade in the end of the original “hog wallow.”
Inexpertly buffed and blued.
Sile grips probably added when the rest of the work was done.
Lots of police trade in .38s being cut down to 3” these days, probably better workmanship. But very few get a better rear sight.
Barrel cut to 3”, front sight cut to ramp shape and soldered back on.
Rear sight is all new, a fixed blade in the end of the original “hog wallow.”
Inexpertly buffed and blued.
Sile grips probably added when the rest of the work was done.
Lots of police trade in .38s being cut down to 3” these days, probably better workmanship. But very few get a better rear sight.
Armored farmer
Member
Thanks so much!
The reblue job is pretty good but the buff was something less.
The action is smooth, the trigger good and the gun is accurate.
I'm happy!
Thanks again.
The reblue job is pretty good but the buff was something less.
The action is smooth, the trigger good and the gun is accurate.
I'm happy!
Thanks again.
aaaaa
Member
Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless (New Departure) topbreak chambered in .38 S&W. Serial number is 2250xx.
Yamifrk
Member
657-5 41 mag unfluted cylinder
7 1/2” barrel
Round butt
6 shot
Adj sights
S/N DAR22xx
7 1/2” barrel
Round butt
6 shot
Adj sights
S/N DAR22xx
I have a listing of known modern S&W serial numbers from an acquaintance. These serial numbers run in an alphabetical order based on the first letter of a 3 letter code serial number from S&W. So I have CTA starts in September of 2003 and DEW starts is October 2003. Your DAR would fall between those two dates.
Yamifrk
Member
aaaaa
Member
i should add that I pegged this one to the range of 1907 to 1940 by this listing for .38 Safety. I am guessing mine is around 1911 but that is only if production was level for the 33 years and it may not have been.
Bearded Phil
Member
I have a new acquisition coming my way soon, can anyone help me date it? Much appreciated!
S&W Model 28-2
4" barrel
s/n: N224031
S&W Model 28-2
4" barrel
s/n: N224031
Jim Watson
Member
The Highway Patrolman is a rather plain little thing and is likely to prefer BBQ and beer to chocolates and flowers.
Bearded Phil
Member
Sure, but I didn't want one to show it off at the debutante ball if you catch my frisbee
.According to the information you provided the S&W date is limited to 1975 to 1977
bangswitch
Member
SCSW says 1974-1977, but given that it is rather early in the N200,000 range, probably late '74 or early '75. There is a huge overlap between N200,000 and N300,000. SCSW says '74-77 for N200K, and 75-76 for N300K. Depends on what models are on what line at the time as to which range they are in.
Bearded Phil
Member
Mannlicher
Member
I have acquired a S&W 625-6. The seller was not the original owner and has no idea of the possible dates for manufacture or shipping. Basics are that it's a 4 inch barrel .45 Colt Mountain Gun. Adjustable sights. Serial number is CCF 57XX.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Mannlicher
Member
Does someone still help with these revolver dating questions?
ontarget
Member
Looks like 1997. According to the SCSW 4th edition.
Very cool gun IMHO. Very high on my bucket list.
Mannlicher
Member
Thanks ever so much for your help.
