Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

1nsanity:
Your model 48-4 K22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire was manufactured in 1980.
Produced from 1959 to 1986, it was the slightly more powerful brother of the Model 17 K22 Masterpiece (six inch target revolver)and the Model 18 K22 Combat Masterpiece (4 inch training companion to the .38 special model 15).

The Model 48 came in 4, 6 and 8 & 3/8 inch barrel lengths, a fitted .22 long rifle cylinder was also available as an option. Your 4 inch version should have the smooth combat trigger, an adjustable trigger stop or wide serrated trigger were options. The barrel should be marked.

Built on the square K frame, any aftermarket square butt grips should fit, the factory grips should be timber Magna grips.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $450 for as new in box, $375 for excellent condition.

I have the Model 18 and it's my favourite range gun. I hope you have as much fun with yours.

Word of warning, don't shoot .22lr through the .22 magnum cylinder, you can expect split cases as the 22 magnum case is slightly wider than the .22 long rifle case.

 

[Radagast]

azrevolverguy:
Your model 64-3 .38 Military & Police Stainless was manufactured in 1981, the serial number range for that year was 7D10001 to 9D44500.

The -3 in the model number refers to an engineering change on the heavy barrel version that occurred in 1977.

41174 & B3 are assembly numbers used to track parts in the factory, they are irrelevant once the gun has been completed.

I don't know what the S stamp signifies, but my S&Ws have it as well. Someone more knowledgeable than I may chip in with the answer.

I would say the price you paid is about right, J&G sales are offloading ex police model 64s for $250 in very good condition, but without the holster or speedloaders. These have also been converted to double action only, so if you factor in the cost of converting back to double action single action, buying a holster and speedloaders, you would pay about the same or more.
Once the J&G close out is over I expect the prices to go up, $350 is about right for an excellent condition blued Military & Police, so the stainless guns should follow.

 

[azrevolverguy]

Thanks Rad

I appreciate the info. I definitely do not like the double action only, gotta have a hammer to pull back!

 

[ky40601]

Brian,

S&W .32 Regulation Police (Pre-Model 31)

SN: 665736

Nickel Plated, 3" Barrel

.32 S&W Long

Serrated Ramp Sight

Checkered, Diamond Walnut Grips/Stocks

3-Screws

Thank you,

Jackie

 

[1nsanity]

this was my father's and had it pretty much in the closet wrapped in a rag for about 3 decades. surprisingly it is in pristine condition with slight tinges of rust but noting major. from what he remembers, he never shot it. i will definitely put it to good use and cherish it more so than any other i own or will ever own! thank you so much radagast!

also what I have learned from another forum is that the -4 meant the factory moved the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder and that my particular gun is dated more near june of 1980. is there any particular .22m ammo you recommend that you use yourself? i've learned that some of the .22 mag ammo was intended for rifles and not pistols along with a hefty pricetag on most brands. i am new to rim fire type firearms so any information would be appreciated! again thank you sooo much!

~ed

 

[Go_Time]

If you guys got time I have two.

First one:
A) .38 Special
B) 4 inch
C) Square
D) 6
E) Fixed
F) 932X
G) unsure - number under yoke is 8518?

Second one:
A) .38 Special
B) 4 inch
C) Square
D) 6
E) Fixed
F) C 3812XX
G) Unsure- Number found under yoke is 77697 which is under a "R".

Thanks!

 

[Radagast]

Go_Time:
Gun #1 with serial 932x should be a .38 Military & Police 1st Model manufactured between 1899 & 1902. To verify this, there should not be a locking lug under ther barrel at the end of the ejector rod, the barrel should state .38 S&W Special CTG & US Service CTG on the left side. This gun predates model numbers, 8518 would be an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory.

The 1st model lacks the internal hammer block safety of modern guns so the chamber under the hammer should be left unloaded. It also predates heat treating of cylinders, so should only be fired with standard velocity lead projectile .38 special rounds.

Gun#2 also predates model numbers, 77697 & R are assembly numbers. This gun does have an internal hammer block and a heat treated cylinder. It is a post war .38 Military & Police manufactured during the period 1954-1956. In 1957 the .38 Military & Police was designated the Model 10. If it has an aluminum frame then it is a .38 Military & Police Airweight. In 1957 the Airweight was designated the Model 12.

 

[Radagast]

1nsanity:
I have the .22lr Model 18, not the Model 48, so I can't recommend ammo for you. I find Winchester SuperX is best in my CZ452 22 Magnum rifle, for what that is worth. Unfortunately you won't find any cheap .22 magnum ammo, it has always been a premium price product.

Word of warning, wear hearing protection when shooting the model 48, although a small round it is loud.

 

[Radagast]

ky40601:
Your .32 Regulation Police was made in 1956 or 1957, 1957 seems likely. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that the 4th screw was eliminated at serial number 640980 in 1956, and that 196 target variants were produced in the 657xxx serial range in 1957. 3.25 inch barrels were standard until 1957, 3 inch barrels became standard in 1957, so 1957 seems most likely.

 

[WARDO88]

I would appreciate your help with DOB

a) .44 Mag
b) 8 3/8"
c) square
d) 6
e) Front Ramp, Rear Adjustable (Scope Mount)
f) BAR59XX
g) 629-1

Thanks

 

[Radagast]

WARDO88:
The 29-1 was only manufactured in 1962 and should have a serial number S2xxxxx.
BARxxxx dates your gun to between January & July 1988 and it should be a 29-4.

 

[WARDO88]

Rad,

Thanks for the info.
Product code is #103615. The Model number on the crane is M 629-1
On page 258 of SCSW middle of right hand column makes a reference to 629 Scope Mount with this product code matching the 103615. It says on 4810 were mfgd. in
1989. The model number puzzles me
Thanks again for your help.

W.

 

[covind]

Another for identification

Great site, and very informative thread.

I need help identifying a revolver I just inherited from my uncle. It has "32 Long CTG" on the left side of the barrel, which is 3 1/4" long. The patent dates are on top of the barrel, and the last two are Feb 6 06 and Sept 14 09. Grip appears to be hard rubber, and covers the butt, so there is no serial number there. Numbers on the flat underside of the barrel and on the back of the cylinder are 2180xx. I'm going to try to upload some pics I took with my cell phone.

I'd love to identify the DOB, and get some ballpark idea of its value.

Thanks.

 

[covind]

Let's try those photos again

Maybe this will work better.

 

[Radagast]

WARDO88:
At a guess the 1 is actually a poorly stamped 4. Either that or they found an old frame without a serial number and decided to use it, but that seems unlikely after 20 odd years. I'm inclined to think you have a 29-4, the frame was manufactured in 1988 but the gun may not have been assembled, or was held in stock until the new variant was officially released.

 

[Radagast]

covind:
You have a .32 Hand Ejector model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 & 1917.
Serial range for those years was 102501 to 263000. Fifth change refers to an engineering change. Your gun predates the internal hammer block safety, so it would be prudent to leave the chamber under the hammer empty. It also predates heat treatment of cylinders, so if you handload ammunition don't go past the standard loads.
You will find the serial number on the frame, you will need to take the grips off to see it.
The grips are not a S&W product, you can find replica grips on line if you wish to dress it up, look for round butt I frame grips if you want to go down this road.

Value is not great, in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value if $90 in poor condition, $165 in fair condition and $275 in good condition.

 

[covind]

Thanks, Radagast. That's exactly what I was looking for. It is amazing to me that this little pistol is nearly 100 years old. American manufacturing was really impressive, even way back then.

 

[optimizer999]

Just got a police trade-in Mod 67 from J&G Sales. Would like to know DOB.

Model 67-1
38 Special
4"
Square
6 shot
Factory adj. rear sight
K frame
s/n AAS27xx

I would have included a pic but can't figure out how to do it.
Thanks.

 

[optimizer999]

Deleted

 

[Marine Gunner]

Smith & Wesson Model 31-1
Serial Number H107812
.32 cal. long
4" barrel
6 shot dbl action revolver

 

[Radagast]

Marine Gunner:
Your Model 31-1 / .32 Regulation Police was manufactured in the period 1975 to 1980, serial range for those years was H100001 to H139900. The 4 inch barrel was discontinued in 1978, so 1975 to 1978 is the time frame.

Your gun is built on the square butt J frame, any square butt J frame grip will fit, prior to 1961 the Regulation Police was built on the small I frame and Improved I frame, grips from earlier guns will not fit your gun.

optimizer 999:
Your Model 67-1 / .38 Combat Masterpiece Stainless was manufactured in later 1982, falling between serial AAFxxxx in October and ABLxxxx in December.

 

[optimizer999]

Thank you, Rad

 

[corbina]

Help with DOB of my 25-2:

a) 45 acp
b) 6 1/2 barrel
d) 6 shot
e) adj sights
f) n458xxx serial number
g) Model 25-2

Thanks in advance...

 

[Radagast]

corbina:
Your Model 25-2 / 1955 Model .45 Target Heavy Barrel falls in the serial range for 1977 to 1978, being N4xxxxx.

 

[bob walton]

S&W .38 Special CTG
4" barrel
round smooth grip lanyard loop walnut
6 shots
fixed sights
s/n v 5321xx p