Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

I want to play...my 65-5 Ladysmith that I was told way back was either a Horton or Performance Center with custom action. I think I paid $350 for it a number of years ago.

.357 Magnum
3" Barrel
Round K frame
6 Shot
BNE918x
65-5
119 under a sideways Son the crane
Hammer mounted firing pin
Chromed forged hammer and trigger (not hollow)
Magnaported (2 on each side of the top of the barrel)
Fixed sights (with tiny Tritium tubes installed in the frame and factory ramp)

What can you tell me about it please?
Also...would the $50 fee for a letter from the factory likely be recouped or add to the value if I decide to sell it at some point?

This is an *awesome* thread...thanks in advance for all of your sharing!
 
I'm not much of a photographer and have a lousy camera, but will get something to post.

I see I need to reapply some paint to that front site too...
 

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slicksleeve:
our Model 31-1 .32 Regulation Police was manufactured in 1969-1970. Serial Yrange for those years was H00001 to H30001, so 1970 seems probable.
The -1 in the model number refers to a change from the small I frame to the larger J frame.

Your 32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured in the period 1915 to 1940. Serial range for those years was 65701 to 144684. Heat treating of cylinders began at serial 81287 around 1919-20. I'm going to make an educated guess of early to mid 1920s.

Nasty:
The serial number on your gun places it around February-March 1993. It sounds like you have the following:
Model 65-5 .357 magnum F Comp: 3 inch full lug barrel with compensator, dovetailed tritium front night sight with dot, tuned action, round butt with rubber grips, counterbored cylinder, contoured cylinder latch, from the S&W Performance center. Distributed by Lew Horton, serial number introduced at LHF00xx, product code 170024, manufactured 1993.

The Model 65-5 .357 Ladysmith was introduced in 1993 with a frosted stainless finish, shrouded ejector rod, serrated ramp front sight and rosewood laminate grips. Ladysmith engraved on the side plate.
I think your gun is a one made with a combination of parts by the factory. it may be a normal model 65-5 with F comp specification and a spare Ladysmith side plate, or a Ladysmith thta was given the works. The serial number does appear to be from the normal production run, rather than the special run for the Ladysmith that started at LDYxxxx.

Either way you have an interesting handgun. A factory letter may make it easier to sell to a S&W collector, as it would prove wether it is a factory item or not. Wether it would add value I don't know. You could ask at www.smith-wessonforum.com if anyone else has one to compare yours with and what it's value is.

Just saw your pics. That is a serious self defence revolver. I like it.
FWIW the Model 13 Magna Ported gun goes for up to $800 or so new in the box to the right person with an addiction, so I would value your gun a bit higher than $350.
 
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Great stuff Radagast...thank you for your insight!

It fills several roles as you can imagine. I use it for various shoots (I'm an old PPC guy), CCW and as a general woods gun...different loads for each application of course.

As I'm only 6'4" and 250 pounds, I'd better hang onto it. ;)



ps: My other S&W that I've held onto is a slicked 696-1 (CCY035x) that fills exactly the same roles. It's often hard to decide which to pick on any given day.
 
smith & wesson m29-2

a) 44mag. b)8&3eights c)sq D) 6shot E ADJ f) n321283 G 29-2 thanks spence.
 
Spence: the N3xxxxx serial range was used during 1975-76. With the serial number being in the lower part of the range it seems probable that your Model 29-2 The .44 Magnum was manufactured in 1975, but I can't confirm that.
 
BK:
Your Model 10-6 .38 Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1976 or 1977. Serial range for those years was D870000 to D999999, so early 1976 seems likely.
 
BK:
$300 to $350 person to person. A lot less if you sell it to a dealer.

abr10dr:
Your Model 34-1 .22/32 Kit Gun was manufactured in the period 1969 to 1971. The serial range for those years was M1 to M30000, so it could be either year.
the -1 refers to a change from the smaller .32 sized I frame to the larger .38 sized J frame, so any modern J frame grip will work, just get the correct shape, either round or square. The Model 34 was introduced in 1953 and originally built on the .32 sized I frame, hence it's complete name, the Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun.
 
MOD 28
4" barrel
357mag
6 shot
adjustable no outline no red ramp.
N103xxx
orignal box and paperwork

2.JPG

IMG_0005.jpg

Thanks
WB
 
Radagast thank you, I recently inherited this gun. I called S&W before my post and they told me 1981.
I know thats not correct, if so it was purchased long before it was made!
I would send for the history of the gun, but just don't have an extra $50.00
right now.
Thanks Again,
Rick
 
Hello friends and neighbors // I have two this time and can post pics if you need them, but you did not last time and rarely if ever do.

#1)
.38 s&w spec.
2" tapered
round -- black plastic--S&W logo at top
6 shot
fixed front and rear sights
6254XX on base of grip and edge of cylinder ---** B 6254XX under barrel

S&W M&P-- 5 screw--pinned--not recessed
--
weak S&W stamp Left side------only says made in usa on right side ---- on back of hammer (reg. u.s. pat. off.)

1923?

------------------------------------------
#2)
.32 rim
3 1/2" round with top ridge (bottom break) --- on top of barrel ,S&W manuf. co.....over ,pat. April 3rd 1859- Nov. 21st 1865
Square
5 shot
fixed front (brass) and rear
209XX -- only found on base of grip

S&W Model 1 1/2 ? 1861?


Thanks for your continued help.
 
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content:
Gun number 1 is a .38 Military & Police model of 1905 4th change.
The Standard catalog of S&W notes that serial numbers in the 500,000 to 630,000 range shipped between 1927 & 1930. That's as close as I can give you. there were a series of guns shipped in the 64xxxx range in 1934, so lates 1920s or early 1930s seems likely.

1923 doesn't seem likely to me as a gun in the 358xxx range shipped in December 1920, so they would have had to sell 130,000 odd guns in two years in a post war environment to make your gun 1923.

Gun number 2, having a square butt will be an old Number 2 Old Model /No.2 Old Army. Standard barrel lengths were 5 & 6 inches, with rare 4 & 8 inch versions. The Standard catalog of S&W doesn't note any 3.5 inch barrels. 3.5 inch barrels were standard on the Model 1&1/2, but these had a round butt.

If a Model 2, then it dates to the period 1961 to 1864. Serial range was 1 to 29359 for that period.

If a model 1&1/2 then it dates to the period 1865 to 1868. Serial range was 1 to 26300 for those years.
 
Thanks again for the info.

#1) 1923 was just a guess, I'm thankful you could narrow it down.

#2) The Square butt with the round/ribbed barrel had me stumped too. Either the barrel should be octagonal or the butt round( I measured the barrel 3 times LOL)

This revolver looks almost new bright blue in color would the barrels and frames be interchangable between the two? I don't see how, from what I've read the 1 1/2 is odd sized.

I can post pic tomorrow, a person is only allowed to take home one purchased handgun per day here in S.C.

Would you mind checking on a comemorative issue of this firearm in your book. I can find nothing on the net or in my books. The edges on this one are still very sharp even at the hinge.

Radagast ,Thanks again for everything . ,,content

I'll post in firearms research next.
 
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content:
I screwed up. The Model 1&1/2 transitional model and 2nd Issue had the round butt, the Model 1&1/2 Old Model or 1st Issue had a square butt. Yours falls in the serial range for the 1st Issue.
Specs for the 1st Issue are as follows:
5 shot non fluted cylinder.
3.5 inch octagonal barrel (some 4 inch barrels made).
Spur trigger.
Cylinder stop on bottom strap of the frame.
Frame and barrel made of steel.
Removable side plate on left side of frame.
Square butt with rosewood grips, ivory or pearl on special order.
Round blade front sight driven into but not pinned into barrel rib.
Rear sight is a notch cut into the hammer thumb piece.
Finish was blue or nickel, with silver as special order. Blued barrel and cylinder with nickel frame also noted.
Patent markings as follows:
"Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. Pat'd Apr. 3rd, 1855 & July 5th, 1869."
"Nov 21. 1965 " added after serial 15304.
Six guns marked 2nd Quality made. Fakes exist.
Some guns also marked Kittredge & Co. Cin. O.

Beyond that, if it doesn't match the above it may be a near copy, the SCSW notes severeal with the 1855 patent date,
but doesn't mention any with the 1869 date.
There is no way your gun can be a Model 2 as the Model 2 is a 6 shot gun.
Sorry for the bad info, I really shouldn't answer questions without my contact lenses while half asleep.
 
Hello friend Radagast // THANK YOU

Tells me everything I need to know.

It may be a fake..... everything matched except mine has a 3 1/2" ribbed round barrel instead of the octagonal.

Still you told me things I did not glean in hours of net searching.

Thanks again for the thorough information.
 
content:
The Model 1&1/2 2nd Issue had a 3.5 inch round ribbed barrel, starting at serial 26301.
The Model 1&1/2 Transitional model used up the supply of octagonal barrels and unfluted cylinders starting around serial 27200.
It may be that you have a gun that was fitted with a new design barrel, as it appears S&W used whatever they had to hand.

I'm not an expert, just a guy with a reference book. I suggest you try and find an article on the Model 1&12, referenced in the SCSW. It's by Vern Eklund, and appeared in the SWCA Journal, 25th Anniversary reprint, Book 2, page 367. Apparently it has an in depth survey of the Model 1& 1/2.
Otherwise posting some pics on the S&W forum www.smith-wessonforum.com may yield more answers.
 
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