Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

Geronimo,

Those pics are great - well, the first two are. The last one is awful. And that gun is very good. That is what is called a "flat latch" Chief's Special. The Andrea Doria was hit by the Stockholm and sank. Bikini Atoll was lit up with an H-bomb. The Yankees won the Series!!! Yeah! It was 1956. Email me when you want to sell it. Great that it has the (probably) original grips.
 
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Wow, alot of people don't want to buy the book!

Hello, I recently picked up a smith revolver and would like to see if you could also give me an approximate date?

(I don't want to buy that book either ;x)

a) .38 special
b) 2"
c) Round aftermarket hogue
d) 6 shots
e) fixed/milled into the body
f) serial number (got the number from the cylinder arm) a16 then x5945
g) 64-2

IMG_0101.gif

I paid 300 for it. Did I pay too much?

Thank you,
Roger
 
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JCisHE:
The 64-2 was introduced in 1977, being a 2 inch tapered barrel variant.
The pinned barrel was deleted in 1982, yours lacks the pin, so it was made after 1982.
The 64-4 replaced the 64-2 in 1988, so your gun was made before 1988.

The serial number you quote is incorrect, at least according to the Standard Catalog of S&W. Model 64s from that period should have been stamped 9Dxxxx to 30D9291. After that the serial number would have had a three letter prefix and a four numeral suffix, such as AIGxxxx.
Try taking off the grips, the serial number should be stamped on the bottom of the frame. It seems to me that you have quoted an assembly number that was stamped on parts at the factory rather than a serial number.

In 2006 the SCSW gave $285 as the expected price for an excellent condition gun, so I think you did OK.
 
Rad,

That's what I expected. I was just hoping I didn't pay too much. Yeah, I looked at the manual last night (online) after I posted the information and saw that I didn't have the serial no. on the body. What exactly does that mean? The serial on the butt is is "aaw19xx". Can you tell me if this weapon is rated for +p?

Also, thank you very much for taking the time to post a reply!

Regards,
Roger
 
JCisHE: The serial number range AAF9000 to ABL3999 was used between October & December 1982.

Not sure what is meant by serial number on the body, unless it means having it under the crane with the model number - my model 66 is stamped in both places.

As far as I know all non alloy frame revolvers manufactured after 1958 should be OK with Plus P ammo, at least in limited quantities.
 
I've got a real oldie but goody... I think it is a Regulation Police hand ejector. It was plated at some time but their might be 1% of the plating left in the out of the way areas.

32 S&W long
3 1/4" barrell
Barrel is pinned thru the top half
6 shot
Fixed sights w/ a pinned front blade mounted in a base that appears to be machined on the barrel. the blade is half moon shaped.
Not sure of the butt style but it looks to be a squared off round butt. or vice versa.
Serial number (?) on butt, barrel bottom and rear of cylinder, is 6558.
Patent dates on barrel start at April 6, 89 and go to Sept 2 ,1900.
There is a group of numbers, 16416, located where todays guns would have their model numbers under the crane.
On the crane, right where the flat portion meets the round hinge portion, is the number 16416.
It has what appears to be black, synthetic or hard rubber grips, w/ the S&W logo on them.
The logo is also on the 4 screw cover plate.
the ejector rod knob measures .360" dia. and is held in place with a spring loaded pin in the axial end of the rod. The holding pin and spring are held in place with a dowel pin.
Any guesses as to what this really is?

Thanx, Pete C.
 
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rcdxm40: The pre model number S&W 44 magnum and the subsequent model 29 should have an S or N prefix in front of the serial number. The serial number will be stamped on the bottom edge of the grip frame, you may have to take off the grips to see it.

Open your guns cylinder and look on the frame under the crane. Does it have a model 29 stamping? The serial number may be stamped there as well, but it may have an assembly number (for keeping track of parts at the factory) which some people confuse with the serial number.

If your revolvers serial number is actually S174087 without the model number stamping, then it is a pre-model 29, dating back to 1957.

If the serial number is N174087 then it was manufactured in 1973 or 1974.

If the serial number is different to the above and you have posted the assembly number, feel free to re-post it and I'll look it up for you.
 
Woodsoup: Have you got a picture? does the gun have a cylinder latch?

It sounds to me like you have a .32 Hand Ejector model of 1903:
Specs include pinned barrel, locking lug for the ejector under the barrel, round butt or square extension butt, black hard rubber grips, 3.5 inch barrel.

The model of 1896 that predated it and was made in the same serial number range used a 3.25 inch barrel and pinned front sight.

I think you have a model of 1903 that was made using up parts from the model of 1896.

Post a pic if you can.
 
.455_Hunter: Per the Standard Catalog of S&W your .32-20 Hand Ejector first model was made in the serial number range 1-5,311 between 1899 & 1902.
Specifications include:
Round butt 4 screw K frame.
4", 5", 6" or 6.5 inch barrel.
Blued or nickel finish.
Hard rubber grips with S&W monogram or walnut without monogram.
S&W trademark stamped on side plate.
Barrel marked "32 Winchester Cartridge".
Target or fixed sights.
Values given range from $125 (Poor) to $3500 (ANIB)with a premium of up to 100% for target sights, so your gun is potentially valuable as well as really cool.
 
I guess the best thing to do would be to get a letter. Along with pining the date down exactly, the letter could reveal lots of other cool stuff as well! The gun has some holster wear, but the grips are in great shape and match serial #'s. The mechanics are excellent, and the bore is shinny with just a couple of fine pits. Can't wait to shoot it! :D
 
1. .357 mag 2. 3 in 3. round butt 4. 6 shot 5. rear adjust, fixed front ramp no insert 6. E8216xx Purchased yesterday, 399 +tax . Blueing 95% to my eye, screws 100%. VERY little wear, barrell excellent, no flame cutting. Overall excellent IMO. Did I do good? Also, how much 357 can I shoot through this? Will probably mostly shoot .38. Looks to have been shot less tan I shot it yesterday.
 
DanTN901, there is no Exxxxxxx range listed in the standard catalog of S&W, there are S, N, K, & D prefixed serials. Did you take the number off the bottom of the frame or from inside the frame where it is normally covered by the crane? The number under the crane is sometimes a serial number and sometimes an unrelated assembly number for keeping track of fitted parts. The number on the bottom of the grip frame is always the serial number.

Open the cylinder and look under the crane. Is there a model number listed there? Let us know, there were multiple .357 magnum models, some of which had overlapping serial numbers. Regardless, for an excellent condition gun, depending on the model you did well to exceptionally well on the price you paid.
 
DanTN901: Your gun dates from 1980, and is a model 19-4, 6 shot .357 magnum, blued with adjustable sights on the K frame. The barrel length is measured from the forcing cone (inside the cylinder window) to the muzzle.
Common barrel lengths are 2.5 and 4 inches. 3 inch barrels were made, but are rare and probably worth a premium to a collector.

In 2006 the SCofSW gave $400 as the value for an excellent condition gun. It your gun has a three inch barrel and not a four inch barrel incorrectly measured from the outside of the frame to the muzzle, then you made out like a bandit. If you have a standard four inch barrel model 19 I think you still paid a little below the odds.
 
Thanks Radagast. I knew to measure from the cone, however I guestimated. With a ruler it is indeed 2 7/16 from the cylinder face to crown. tight cylinder gap. I am happy with the deal.
 
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