Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

safe to shoot

this gun acording to my uncle has less than a box of rounds thru it but i cant verify that.i have shot only low power cowboy loads thru it and have no desire to hot-rod it but would like to know it is safe to shoot with modern loads,not plus p but regular 158 gn. lead handloads.thanks in advance
 
It most likely is an M&P .38 Special Hand Ejector made between 1940 - 1945.

This is the gun that later became the Model 10.

But without more info, it is hard to say.

Yes, it is perfectly safe to fire standard pressure .38 Special loads in it.

rc
 
double_trouble:

Your 19-4 dates to 1980.

The air-weight bodyguard was produced from 1955 to 1999, Your gun was produced between November 1984 (AFJxxxx) & January 1985 (AHAxxxx)
 
I have a model 581 4' blued, fixed sights ABY902x. Ser # is on the bottom of the butt, and not under the crane as I am familiar with. It has another number on the crane and side of the butt frame, it is "7X875". Any idea what that other number is.
 
Riss: The other number is an assembly number for tracking fitted parts as they move through the factory. The number on the butt is the correct serial number, some but not all S&Ws duplicate it under the crane. Your gun was manufactured between January 1983 (ABLxxxx) & October 1983 (ADExxxx).

There is a recall on all model 581 & 581-1 guns. It is possible for the cylinder to become locked up when a soft primer flows back into the firing pin bushing. The recall modification involves a tighter bushing and new firing pin. If your gun has been modified there should be an M stamped after the model number.
 
S&w m28-2

I have a S&W M28-2 6" never fired. It has recessed cylinders, but barrel is not pinned. Serial is N9541XX. Thanks for any info.
 
trex1310: The N9xxxxx serial number range was used from 1982 to 1986, per the standard Catalog of S&W the highest serial numbers recorded are in the N97xxxx range from 1986. The Model 28 was discontinued in 1986, so I would say it's likely your gun was one of the last made, in 1985 or early 1986. Interestingly the Model 28-3 was supposed to have replaced the 28-2 in 1982, eliminating both the recessed cylinder and the pinned barrel.

So either your gun actually dates from 1982, or more likely, a spare recessed cylinder and old frame were used up to make up your gun which is really a something like a model 28-2.5 :)

If you want to be certain you could pay $50 to have Roy Jinks at S&W research your particular gun and send you a factory letter stating when it was shipped, to whom and what the specifications were.

Of course pics will be welcomed by the Smith Nuts if you feel like posting some. :)
 
1. .38
2. 2 inch barrel,
3. round butt
4. 6 shots
5. Serial number C231.....
6. Model 10

Any ideas as to the age and value?
 
k720: C231xxx dates the gun to 1953, it is a postwar .38 Military & Police pre-model 10 and shouldn't have a model number stamped on the frame.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $235 in good condition, $265 in very good condition, $300 in excellent and $500 for as new in box, plus a 25% premium on those values for the two inch barrel.
 
Model 15

a) .38 Spl
b) 4"
c) Square
d) 6 shot
e) rear adj, front ramp
f) 3k25067
g) Mod 15-3

Should be pretty easy but I am realy looking for the born on.
Barrel is pinned, cylinders is not recessed.
Thanks.
 
Hi K720,



The Round Butt ones of the pre-10, post-war M&P series, seem to sell for quite a bit more than the Square Butts...even as the early and mid production Round Butt Model 10 'Snubbys' tend to bring higher prices than their Square Butt bretherin.


I have a Square Butt one, made in 1952...and I have a very high opinion of either configuration.


These are wonderful Revolvers, very high quality, smooth and reliable...good looking...fun to shoot...
 
OK S&W K22 5 screw (three hold on side plate, one under side plate, one on front frame above trigger guard), 22lr, adj sights, partridge front, square butt, 6 inch barrel, ser# K291xxx, number under crane 80092
 
686

Gentlemen,
I have a 686 I bought back in the late 90's from a shop out west. It was used, but in about 98% condition with perfect bore and chambers. It has some type of department or serial number on the left side of the frame just above the trigger (hence the superb price of $265 plus shipping, or at least so I thought) that reads "CA SO744021" and I assumed to be a Calif. sheriff's marking lacking any other clues. The rest of the data is as follows:

a) 357
b) 4"
c) square butt (came with Hogue Monogrip)
d) 6 shot
e) adjustible sights (S&W)
f) SN ACL 37XX
g) Mod 686 (no dash).
The SN is on the butt and on the frame above the Mod 686 under the crane. On the crane lightly stamped "C10" and below it is a horizontal capital "S." Below that there is "3x282." The pistol is like new still, and very accurate with both hot & mild handloads with 296, 820 and 630 (yes, I still have a couple of pounds or so) on the hot end, and Unique and 630 on the milder side. Just curious as to it's birthday...
 
Last edited:
I had a new 44 mag smith and wesson where the cylinder would spin but gun not fire if trigger not let FULLY out. A problem rarely encountered except rapid firing, any input.
 
front page: I suggest you st art a new thread in either the revolver or gunsmithing sub forums to ask your question, as I can't answer it.

Maj Dad: Your gun dates to between January 1983 (ABLxxxx) & October 1983 (ADExxxx). The Standard catalog of S&W doesn't list the probable departmental markings you give,so I can't help you further with IDing it. A factory letter from Roy Jinks (the S&W historian) will set you back $50 and tell you the shipping date, customer and address sent to and the specification it left the factory in.
There is a recall out on all S&W 686 & 686-1 revolvers (there should be an M stamped after the model number if it has been modified under recall). Some of the early guns were subject to primers flowing back around the firing pin and into the firing pin bushing when fired with heavy loads. The recall modification provides a new firing pin and bushing. If you are not having any issues with your gun with hot loads then you may not want to worry about this. S&W will pay shipping both ways on the modification if you choose to follow this up.
 
how old

38 s&w special u.s. service ctg very good nickel round stock 6 shot serial #412xx and the serial # is on the butt. bottom of barrel & cylinder 4 in
 
Hi Radagast...



Some while back, you'd mentioned a Book known to XavierBreath...privately published...available only by writing to the Author...which was all about the S & W M&Ps of 1899-I dunno, maybe 1956...


I cannot find the mention...and I wanted to send off and get a copy.


Can you provide the info?


Phil
Las Vegas
 
Rusty Vest: 1968.

oshaun463: 1903-1904 .38 Military & Police Model of 1902-1st change. In very good condition the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $300 in 2006, $400 in excellent condition. Your gun was made before the introduction of the square butt, it also predates the heat treating of cylinders so it should only be fired with standard pressure ammunition. The 158 grain lead round nose was the round these guns were regulated to shoot, US Service Cartridge refers to the .38 Long Colt that could also be chambered. Nickel was a factory option, if the hammer and trigger are not nickeled then it was probably nickeled from the factory, if they are nickeled then it has been refinished at some point.

Oyeboten:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/americas-right-arm.html
 
Highway Patrolman .357 history please

One of the guys here where I work just showed me an "Old, Beat up .357" he got for $90.00 at an estate sale.
I don't have any pictures but it is in pretty bad appearance.

Here is what I could find on it.

a) .357
b) looks to be either 5 or 5.5"
c) Square butt
d) 6 shot
e) Adjustable rear, solid front ramp
f) N170880
g) 28-2
h) blued finish
Has ".357 Highway Patrolman" stamped on the right side of the barrel

It is bone dry, very rusted, and not clean at all.
He took it out shooting last weekend and showed me a target at 20 "long paces" He shot a 3" grouping, his wife shot around 6-7".
I think I would have been afraid to shoot it myself!
He would like to know at least some basic info on when it was made and anything else he can find out about it. any value in shootable but poor visible contition.
He want's it as a Shooter and Personal Protection.
Also, he plans on sending out to Smith or another quality refinisher to get it reblued. He guesses around $200-$250 to get it done.
He figures since he got it so cheap he can afford to get it cleaned back up without going broke. He knows the value will go out the windowe but he isn't concerned since it will only be for his use.
He has no computer,:confused: so he asked me to find out for him.
Please let me know what you can so I can let him know
 
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