Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Jim Watson]

I don't question whether it is a top break, jonb SAYS "S&W 38 5 shot ser. 117006" and "hammer fired" with "double action in working order"

This leaves nothing but a .38 Double Action 2nd Model as made 1880-1884. They made 115000 of this model alone, other model variations to a total of 539000 from 1880 til 1911. Not going to be worth a lot of money unless NIB or with provenance to somebody famous.

According to SCSW The S&W "Mexican Model" is a scarce variant of the 1891 .38 Single Action with a spur trigger instead of a trigger guard. Last possible serial number 28107 but only about 2000 guns made in that range, the rest being regular 1891s.

 

[jonb32248]

 

[jonb32248]

Can't read some of the words due to extra plating covering the letters.

 

[Jim Watson]

Has been refinished, Smith didn't nickel plate the hammer and trigger.
Still, it looks good to be 140+ years old.
Is the other pearl handle unbroken?

These are not real strong guns, it works now but it wouldn’t stand a lot of use. A Smith colllector told me it was no more stout than a Colt Lightning.

 

[jonb32248]

Yes I know the nickel is a refinish and the trigger guard isn't supposed to be nickeled. The grips are all "perfect". I have reduced the load of BP and when I shoot it I only shoot minimal. It sits most of the time on a stand I made in the LR. It was a free gun that didn't work when I got it. Lady want ot have it destroyed.

 

[Jim Watson]

I wonder how many guns fail to escape frightened widows and are scrapped, given to the police department, a "buyback" or just thrown in the garbage.

A friend has a .22 and a .32 from one of those "Get them out of the house!" deals.
I bet Thomass would love the .32, it came with a .32 Short Colt rattling around in one .32 S&W chamber.

 

[Wildbillz]

I picked up this Smith & Wesson model 17 a couple of days ago. Can you tell me when it was made or anything else about it?

Mod 17-4 stamped in the crane recess
SN# 78K95xx Stamped on the butt and in the crane recess.
22LR
6 shot
I thought the barrel was a 6" but it measured 5.75 from the cylinder to the muzzle?
Partridge sight
square butt
Wood grips
No box or papers
A couple of rust spots on it that I need to clean up a bit, but otherwise its seems pretty clean.
Paid $595 otd for it.
Can't wait to take it to the range.

Thanks
WB

 

[Thomassss]

SN# 78K95xx Stamped on the butt and in the crane recess.
22LR

Date of Mfr. is 1980

 

[length_of_pull_1]

Help me figure this one out
38 special
4 inch barrel
Square butt
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Jim Watson]

It is a "victory model" of the .38 Military and Police, so called because when serial number reached 999999 S&W added the V prefix and started over with numbering instead of getting into the millions.
Time frame WWII secondary standard.
Blued and the lanyard ring removed, therefore dollar value not great.

 

[length_of_pull_1]

It is a "victory model" of the .38 Military and Police, so called because when serial number reached 999999 S&W added the V prefix and started over with numbering instead of getting into the millions.
Time frame WWII secondary standard.
Blued and the lanyard ring removed, therefore dollar value not great.

This one is nickel plated. I don't know if that makes any difference. Thanks a million!

 

[Jim Watson]

Huh, looks dark in pictures.
Lots of surplus guns got nickel plated. Collectors value zilch.
But a .38 in good shooting condition is good to have c

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Cartridge: .32 S&W Long
Barrel Lgth: 3-1/4”
Grips: Round frame, square butt (Reg. Pol.)
No. Shots: 6x
Sights: Fixed
Srl No.: 5441xx

A friend’s that I’m in the process of acquiring, soon to be mine. Curious when it was born.

 

[duddits]

From your information it would appear you have a October 2003 model. You may want to remeasure your barrel length from muzzle to inside edge of forcing cone. There are both 6 inch and 6.5 inch barrel lengths. When you submit information on a production date any and all information and even a picture may help in your gun's identification. There are several sources that can help identify your gun. The 3 letter code is generally acquired through other people that already knew their gun's history and shared the info. with us. But there are generations in Model 29 - ? (2,3,4). Generations may be blue type finish or nickel, accessories that came with the gun including grips, sites, box or presentation case. List type of grips, engraving, type of cylinder? List most of the serial # All letters and some numerical digits. There are anniversary models, hunting models, special purchase models and guns that have been altered either from the S&W Custom Shop or by someone else before your purchase.

Cheers for the reply and sorry for missing it. According to the box it came in it's M29-10 and it's blued with wooden grips, so I'd say a classic as far as I can tell. Does that change anything or still Oct. 2023 is the best estimate? Many thanks!