Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Admiral_Ken]

a) 38 Spl
b) 1.875 inches
c) Round butt
d) 5 shot
e) Fixed
f) 282xxx (No letters)
g) Model 36 (edited)

Flat latch. I think it may be from 1960, but have never had that confirmed. Bought it at an estate sale, was born in 1960, so maybe we are the same age. Carried a lot, shot very little, has wear on the muzzle. Original grips replaced with post 1968 version.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The M36-1 was released in 1967 and ran through 1987.
That serial # with no J would put it @1962 but that's not possible for a -1 series gun. The flat latch was changed in 1966 so your gun is probably a 1962 but again, that's really not possible with a -1 series gun. Another problem is the grips, they should be diamond grips but they are not. Did you remove the grips and see if there are matching serial numbers on them to the gun?

I'm confused.

 

[Admiral_Ken]

I guessed 1960 using this table, but could be 1961. My eyes are going bad it is NOT a 36-1, the crane is stamped Mod 36

1950 = start at 1
1952 = 7369 - 21342
1953 = 28916
1955 = 55050 - 75000
1957 = 117770 - 125000
1962 = starts at 295000
1969 = ends at 786544

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I guessed 1960 using this table, but could be 1961. My eyes are going bad it is NOT a 36-1, the crane is stamped Mod 36

1950 = start at 1
1952 = 7369 - 21342
1953 = 28916
1955 = 55050 - 75000
1957 = 117770 - 125000
1962 = starts at 295000
1969 = ends at 786544

Since it's not a -1 series M36 everything falls into now. I'm fairly confident your revolver was shipped in 1961.
You have a very nice Chief's Special!

 

[ontarget]

a) caliber- .44 Special
b) bbl length- 5"
c) grips shape- Square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores- 6
e) type of sights- Fixed- square notch rear, half-moon front
f) serial number- 62830
g) Model number if it is under the crane- Two shallow "V" stamps and "3502"

View attachment 1136417 View attachment 1136418

Thanks,
35W

Didn't see a reply to this one, and I was curious soooo.
My SCSW-fu tells me this is a 44 Hand Ejector made in 1941.
I don't see a third lock on yours?
I'm guessing it's a Third model.
Very cool revolver IMO.

 

[db_tanker]

just got a nice little 681 and would like to know the pedigree

a) cal 357 Mag
b) 4" bbl
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed
f) AAP2963 - 37341 with an E18 and an S both separate that are on the cylinder crane
g) 681


Thank you for any help you can give!
D

 

[Thomasss]

October 1982 started with AAF9000 and December 1982 started with ABL series. So November 1982 would be my best guess.
You can always write S&W or maybe someone has a similar number that has already done so. Hopefully they will report back to us.
You might also try to go through the list. My information comes from a person that use to track these numbers for a long time from another club.. His info has been spot on a number of times for me and for other people.

 

[clone]

Just purchased an I frame 1903 hand ejector. There isn't much blueing left, but it looks to be honest wear. Lockup is surprisingly very tight front to back, and side to side.

32 S&W long
4.25"
Round
6 Shot
Fixed front and rear
B 228255

That number is from the bottom of the barrel, as well as on the face of the cylinder . There is a number on the yoke/crane 6016, the same number is also in the frame where the yoke/crane rest into the frame when closed. Also looks to have been a number on the bottom of the frame grip but isn't readable anymore.

 

[Thomasss]

Just purchased an I frame 1903 hand ejector. There isn't much blueing left, but it looks to be honest wear. Lockup is surprisingly very tight front to back, and side to side.

32 S&W long
4.25"
Round
6 Shot
Fixed front and rear
B 228255

First, I will tell you there is no letter "B" by itself in any S&W serial number. Per chance look at it again to confirm that it is a "B" and not a zero or some other character. Your letter "B" could be a production indicator or a mistake or something unknown. If I ignore the "B" and look just at the rest of the numbers you provided, a 1903 Hand Ejector with a serial number of 228255, would have been issued between 1916 and 1917. The other numbers you found appear to be production type indicators. S&W information shows the 5th variation Model 1903 Hand Ejector with the serial numbers of 102501 to 263000(approx.) were issued from 1910 - 1917.
With more facts maybe some additional information on your piece could be found. Is your cylinder fluted? Did you measure your barrel exactly to 4.25 inches? Are the grips black rubber or walnut? Are the grips checkered? Describe the S&W trademark on the grips. Is it colored? Finally look closely at the number on the bottom of the grip. Although you said it was not readable, how many digits does it appear to be? Are any of the digits readable and in what sequence to other digits are they? To help read those digits crush either chalk or charcoal for a contrasting color and rub it in that area and lightly brush away the surface dust with an artist brush or Q-tip. The sequence of any those readable numbers could help.

 

[clone]

The b is quite a bit away from the serial number, so it probably isn't part of the number. The b is not on the cylinder either, so id say you are right about it not being part of the number.

The barrel is 4.25 when measured from forcing cone to tip.

The grips are black rubber, and are checkered, the S&W logo on the grips is just a S W with two stars on each side and a circle around it and is molded into the rubber grip.

The number on the bottom is well worn and I can make out that there was at least 5 digits but probably 6, and the last one is a 5. The rest are not readable. looks like someone used it to hammer a nail as well as alot of patina and scratches.

 

[clone]

Something else I noticed. There is a s&w logo on the cover plate on the right side, but no logo on the left side of the frame.
I have seen other 1903's with it on both sides and ones that are only on the frame (left side).
Don't know if that helps any. These older ones are interesting..... the stories they could tell.
I plan to hand load for it, and I've heard that ones made before 1919 are better kept to lighter loads if i want to preserve its tight lockup.

 

[Thomasss]

From the additional information you provided, the issued date would be confirmed.

 

[Jim Watson]

Your letter "B" could be a production indicator or a mistake or something unknown.

"B" for Blue.

 

[db_tanker]

just got a nice little 681 and would like to know the pedigree

a) cal 357 Mag
b) 4" bbl
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed
f) AAP2963 - 37341 with an E18 and an S both separate that are on the cylinder crane
g) 681


Thank you for any help you can give!
D

So reached out to S&W and they came back as a 1981 mfg.

Just wish they were able to give more. :\

D

 

[Thomasss]

So reached out to S&W and they came back as a 1981 mfg.

I'm not surprised. S&W numbers may be off as much as 8 years. The reason being it has been recorded that they have produced frames in bulk as much as 8 years in advance on some models until they end up assembling them and shipping them out.

 

[DC Plumber]

Good afternoon,

I have a:

4" Barrel
44 Magnum
Adjustable Sights
Square Butt
6 Shot
29-2
Blue
S/N N130678
I think also 3t's according to friends
Thank you in advance

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Good afternoon,

I have a:

4" Barrel
44 Magnum
Adjustable Sights
Square Butt
6 Shot
29-2
Blue
S/N N130678
I think also 3t's according to friends
Thank you in advance

It looks like your M29-2 was shipped in 1973.
Good luck with it, be safe...

 

[barnfrog]

Thank you very much for providing this service to so many folks. I just acquired a new K frame.

.357 Magnum
6" barrel
Square butt
Adjustable sights
Six shots
71K8XXX
Dealer advertised it as a 19-4

 

[L-2]

Post 8118,
It appears your revolver is from 1980.

ref.
1980 57K0001-91K6800

Supica, Jim,Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 490). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.

 

[barnfrog]

Post 8118,
It appears your revolver is from 1980.

ref.
1980 57K0001-91K6800

Supica, Jim,Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 490). F+W Media. Kindle Edition.

Much appreciated.

 

[burrhead]

S&W 19-5

SN# AVZ8892

4" round butt, low polish blue.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[gilgsn]

Hello, and thank you!
a) 357 Mag
b) 4"
c) square
d) 6
e) adjustable, orange insert front sight.
f) AAE7978
g) 586, no dash, no M.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

S&W 19-5

SN# AVZ8892

4" round butt, low polish blue.

Thanks very much for your help.

I'm sorry but I can't find that series (AVZ) in any of my books.
Last time I had that happen is with a gun I bought, a M640, because it was part of a special run.
I sent an email to S&W and that's what they told me and they gave me a shipping date too.
Sorry I can't give you more information.

 

[burrhead]

Thank you. I think this gun came from a special order from the State Dept but I haven't been able to verify that.

 

[Jim Watson]

S&W 19-5

SN# AVZ8892

4" round butt, low polish blue.

Thanks very much for your help.

SCSW shows AVB and AWW both in July 1987.
Sequences published are alphabetical but with gaps.

Also shows 19-5 from 1982 - 1988.

So I am going to guess yours was made in the middle of 1987.