Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Thomasss]

serial number H-1458xx

My information indicates: 1981

 

[The Doc]

My information indicates: 1981

Thank you.

 

[Jcy0001]

Hi thanks for accepting me. found you guys while searching to identify a gun my father left me.

a) 38 s&w spl
b) not sure of the length but here’s some pics
c) round but not original
d) 5 shots
e) don’t know what they are called
f) A1549xx
g) Mod 36

 

[Reloadron]

You have a 2" barrel commonly called a "snub nose". They made your Model 36 in 2" and 3" versions and yours looks to be a 2". Nice little revolvers.

Ron

 

[Thomasss]

First of all, I don't like to be picky but its a 1 7/8 inch barrel. Only 1 7/8 and 3 inch barrels were produced. Its good to know if a collector would ever be interested. Another issue is the serial number. The prefix letter "A" doesn't seem to fit. Have you seen the number yourself or did someone else tell you that was the serial number? Can you photograph it and show it to us. It could be near the Model number as shown in the right hand picture. It could be under the barrel between the lug and the frame, seen with the cylinder out of the way; or it could also be on the bottom metal strap. It might help if we knew the history of the gun too. Did you dad buy it new? If so, when? Are there purchase receipts, operator manual, etc.? Do you have the original grips? Even if you don't use them, they can add a lot of value to the gun.

 

[Reloadron]

Picky is most welcome. My first look I wrongly called it at 2" which it is not and picky is about being correct and I am real good with that.

Thanks
Ron

 

[Jcy0001]

Hi thanks for the replies. Unfortunately my dad passed a few months ago so I’m not really sure of the history of any of his firearms. This one doesn’t seem to have any paperwork’s except for a license so not sure about when purchased and any other info. I would think most of he’s arms are from the 80’s as that’s when I remembered he was really into guns. I’ll try to look some more tho as he has a bunch of others and the grips might be in with the others. I’ve only started to check the ones that were loaded to unload them.

I actually took the grips off to get at the serial. Here’s the pics below. I’ve also included pics of other numbers that people have said to be the assembly number. I don’t know much about old guns as I’m more of a Glock guy but have pretty much figured out most of the handguns thru friends. It’s really just the revolvers that none of my friends seem to not know much about.

I wanted to ask if this model are ok firing +p loads as those were the boxes that were stashed with this one but I also found some 38 spl reloads in a plastic container.

 

[Thomasss]

Prior to 1957 your gun was called a Chief's Special and had a round butt. If you didn't have an "A" prefix serial number your Mod.36 would be about a 1959 manufacture and since your revolver is marked Mod 36 inside the yoke as simply Mod. 36 that would make sense. There were several updates through the years. But your gun has the "A" prefix which is relegated to normally semi-autos. Another problem is your front site is much larger than original Mod 36 which would indicate a re-work or a newer mfr. date. An "A" added to the serial number might mean a special purchase to a police department. That might account for the newer, larger front sight on an older frame.
You might like to contact S&W and they can look the gun original sales for you. In the mean time, take a magnet to the frame and see if it sticks. Some variations include aluminum frames. Also, try to cock the hammer, there were double action only models too.
After saying all this good stuff, I noticed your barrel isn't pinned as the earlier models were and it has the newer and larger cylinder release. I also checked and found the Model 36 rarely used varient model numbers so the only number known is a 36-1 for a larger barrel. So the gun could be a 1973 model...best to call S&W.

 

[aaaaa]

I just bought a used S&W 442 and wonder what year it was manufactured. The serial number is DCX3---

 

[sobrbiker883]

Recently acquired my first S&W, I think mid-90’s

629-4 Mountain Gun
44 Mag
4” tapered
Round butt
pinned front sight
CCD-****

 

[L-2]

Post 8035,
1997 according to my "book":

1997 – CBN, CBP, CBT, CBU, CCD, CCE, CCF, CCH

Supica, Jim,Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (Kindle Location 17058). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.

Post 8034,
My book has no info for the "DCX" prefix.

 

[Thomasss]

I can confirm that. A gentleman that belongs to the S&W Historical Society has issued many of those codes.

 

[Thomasss]

I just bought a used S&W 442 and wonder what year it was manufactured. The serial number is DCX3---

More physical info on your gun is required. There were a number of issues in the early 90s right at the time of your three letter code, which caused S&W jump around with their serial number prefix. Physical description could narrow the time line down quite a bit.

 

[aaaaa]

More physical info on your gun is required. There were a number of issues in the early 90s right at the time of your three letter code, which caused S&W jump around with their serial number prefix. Physical description could narrow the time line down quite a bit.

Thanks. It is a 442-2 with a lock and rated for +P. Maybe this image helps:

 

[Thomasss]

S&W published SN ended in the range of C. The only "D", I can find is SN# DEW coding started in Oct., 2003. I also found that the "X" in your code refers to the more modern 442 and 442-2 (verson 2) started in 2004. Verson 2 is an internal lock, which became optional again in 2011. Another problem is their coding jumps around a lot after 2003, being that they were selling large block numbered quantities to government agencies and they had a major recall in 2003 of a different model than yours.

 

[mesinge2]

a) .38 S&W Special
b) 4 inch barrel
c) square butt
d) 6
e) iron sights, half moon front
f) SN- 625507
g) it's a pre-model number

 

[L-2]

Post 8041,
From my "book", 1905 to 1906

Ref.
.38 Special Hand Ejector M&P

1899-1902 1-20975
1902-1903 20976-33803
1903-1904 33804-62449
1905-1906 62450-73250
1906-1909 73251-146899

Supica, Jim,Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (Kindle Locations 16769-16774). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.

 

[aaaaa]

S&W published SN ended in the range of C. The only "D", I can find is SN# DEW coding started in Oct., 2003. I also found that the "X" in your code refers to the more modern 442 and 442-2 (verson 2) started in 2004. Verson 2 is an internal lock, which became optional again in 2011. Another problem is their coding jumps around a lot after 2003, being that they were selling large block numbered quantities to government agencies and they had a major recall in 2003 of a different model than yours.

For that I am thankful!

Well it is no older than 2004 anyway.

Thanks for all your research.

 

[HighCotton731]

A.) 38 S&W special
B.) 1 ⅞ inch
C.) Square
D.) 5
E.) Iron sights ?
F.) 319Jxx
G.) MOD 36 no dash

 

[aaaaa]

For that I am thankful!

Well it is no older than 2004 anyway.

Thanks for all your research.

Well hey, So I went back to that gun shop and they had found the case for the S&W 442. It had all the goodies including the original fired case in a closed envelope that is DATED: 11-20-08.

So the gun was manufactured in 2008.

 

[Thomasss]

319Jxx

This gun frame appears to be manufactured between 1971-1972 according to the serial number.

 

[HighCotton731]

This gun frame appears to be manufactured between 1971-1972 according to the serial number.

Thank you for the information! This is my first s&w revolver. I am a new collector and excited about being a part of this forum. Thanks again

 

[J-Bar]

Can you provide a date for a 5-screw .38 Special M&P with serial number C1706xx? Thanks for your help.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Can you provide a date for a 5-screw .38 Special M&P with serial number C1706xx? Thanks for your help.

Unfortunately the SCSW 4th Edition does not break down the first 4 years of the "C" series revolvers into years.
Your Serial # comes back in the range of C1 - C223993 from 1948 to 1951.
I feel your pain because my M&P has a C 5 digit serial number which I'm guessing is 1948. Your C 6 digit number is probably from 1950 to early 1951 but remember, the serial numbers aren't always linear or equal numbers in each year.

Sorry I couldn't narrow it down any closer. If your revolvers is in collectors condition (mine is not) you can always send in a request for a letter from the S&W Historian, Roy Jinks if it's important.

 

[J-Bar]

If your revolvers is in collectors condition (mine is not) you can always send in a request for a letter from the S&W Historian, Roy Jinks if it's important.

Thanks, close enough for this old beater, even though it is one of the last of the transitional guns (old style hammer). I suspect it was carried by a cop who was not concerned about its external appearance, and who dented some skulls with it, but rarely fired it because the internals show no wear. It would be much more interesting to find out what experiences it endured after leaving the factory. Alas…