Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

DOB S&W 38spcl

S&W J frame size, 5-shot, no model number, flat latch, 1 7/8" barrel, 38 Special, serial # 19xxx, pinned barrel, frame at crane and the crane have same serial number but different from bottom of grip serial number. Side plate 3 screws, screw also in top front of trigger guard. Firing pin in hammer, hammer is curved down at tip.
 
Radagast, I have my eye on a 29-2 that is nickel, really clean and really cheap. It is pinned and recessed with a 8 3/8in bbl and the s/n is N386066. Thanks in advanced.
 
uncledano:
The serial number is the number on the bottom of the grip, the other numbers are assebmly numbers, used to track fitted parts in the factory. Assembly numbers have no significance after the serial number is applied. Assuming that 19xxx is the serial number, the finish is blued and the sights are fixed, then your gun dates to 1952 and is a Chiefs Special.

bangkok:
1975-1976. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $450 in very good condition, $700 in excellent condition, with a slight premium for nickel.

jpatterson:
Your Model 66-1 was manufactured in 1981.
 
S&W 32c Long CTC

a) .32
b) 3.5" barrel
c) curved?
d) 6 rounds
e) fixed @ barrel tip
f) 241345
 
blunoir:

You have a S&W .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 and 1917 in the serial number range 102501 to 263000. The barrel length should be 3.25 inches. These were made on the small I frame, which was slightly smaller than the current J frame revolvers that S&W sells today. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $315 in very good condition.
 
Radagast said:
blunoir:

You have a S&W .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 and 1917 in the serial number range 102501 to 263000. The barrel length should be 3.25 inches. These were made on the small I frame, which was slightly smaller than the current J frame revolvers that S&W sells today. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $315 in very good condition.
Click to expand...

Thanks again, Radagast. Did they use chrome or nickel finishing for this model, do you know?
 
blunoir:Yes, blue and nickel where the two factory finishes. The simplest check to see if yours is factory nickel is to look at the trigger, hammer & IIRC, the ejector star. These would all be straw blued. If they have been nickeled then it is a non factory refinish.
 
Here's one:

S&W
.38 spl
2" barrel
round synthetic grip
five shot cyl.
front ramp sight
# 21735 E3
 
new guy,Guch
bought a smith and Wesson 38 special ctg ,2 sets of numbers, barrel #'s 437127, #'s behind crane 92093,gun is completely engraved,and has engraver name on it,Kurt Jaeger Mainz, gun is 95% locks up tight,bore is excellent ,looking to find out when it was made and how much it might be worth. thank you, Guch
 
Guch: 437127 is probably the serial number, if it is on the flat on the bottom of the barrel. Check on the bottom of the grip frame (you may need to take off the grips) to verify. this. If it is then you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 Fifth Change revolver made between 1920 & 1927.

Kurt Jaeger was a firearm engraver in Mainz, Germany who worked during the 1950s. There is a thread about him here:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147985

As for value, that will be completely dependent on condition. I suggest you start a new thread with pictures to ask that question.
 
coondogger; The number you have quoted is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. The serial number is located on the bottom of the grip frame, you may have to remove the grips to see it. Get back to me with the serial number and I'll give you the date.
 
Thanks. It's a recent acquisition. It beckoned to me from a local gun shop. It locks up tight and the timing's good. Nothing wrong with an older gun if it was built right in the first place. Thanks again.
 
Radagast,thanks for the info,took off the grips and you were right,numbers matched.i'll add pictures as soon as i can. thanks again,Guch
 
1905 HE in 38/200

SN: 7608XX
5" barrel
Medallioned diamond grips
"Pre-Victory" commercial grade
Bears markings above grip (arrow, crown, Z4), crossed flags on frame at barrel

None of the usual myriad English markings

Can you tell destianation as well as DOB?

Thanks,
Waidmann
 
waidmann:

Five inch barrel, crossed flags, broad arrow and a crown suggests Canadian govt. markings, I've no idea what the Z4 means, unless it is an ammunition type. Z2 stamped 9mm ammunition is issued in Australia.

Caliber markings on the barrel should be .38 S&W CTG if it is an original Canadian gun. .38 S&W Special CTG would suggest it has either been bored out to .38 special, was a civilian firearm impressed for duty or it was issued to a Canadian police force.

The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that the .38/200 British Service Revolver was available in bright blue, sandblast brush blue or sandblast black magic finishes, checkered diamond walnut grips with S&W monograms for the commercial version, smooth walnut grips without monograms, with lanyard ring for the military version.

Manufactured from 1940 to 1942 when the V series took over, serial range for that period was Circa 680000 to 1000000.

It sounds like you have a commercial variant ordered by the Canadian Govt. If you are really curious you could fork out $50 and have Roy Jinks at S&W look up the shipping records and write you a factory letter. With a little luck he will be able to tell you the date it shipped, who it was shipped to and the specification it left the factory in.

Feel free to post some pics, I've yet to see a commercial quality .38/200.
 
a) .357 mag
b) 4" bbl
c) square grips
d) 6 shot
e) adjustable
f) ser.# 71K57XX
g) Model 19-4

Thanks
 
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