Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

I have an odd question and hopefully can get help here rather than start a whole new thread.
I am trying to find info on what the model number of this revolver is. It is in .22lr and is DA/SA I believe. It looks like this (couldn't take a picture) and the serial number is K1624xx. It has a 4" bbl. My problem is that it is labeled as a SW 461 and I can't find any info about that model. It is heavy in the hand and am not sure about the sights (fixed/adj). I looked at the identifying SW features picture but is there anything you can tell from the model number itself as to what kind of model it is so I know what to look for when I go see it?

Model 18 pictured which it looks very much like.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
The Standard Catalog of S&W doesn't list a model 461. From the serial number we can say it was made in 1952, and that it is a K frame. Model numbers were not introduced until 1957, so you won't find a model number stamped under the crane.
If it has fixed sights then it is probably what became the Model 45, the .22 Military & police or Post Office model. These were made on the K frame from 1948 to 1978.
If it has adjustable sights then it is a K22 Combat Masterpiece (later the model 18.
If the barrel looks like it has been cut down (caliber markings not being centered is a good indicator of this) then it was probably a K22 Masterpiece (later the model 17).
 
Addendum to the above: The model 45 was not made in the K prefix serial number range, first guns were S prefixed, followed by the C prefix. The gun in question isn't a model 45.
 
I stopped by to check it out today and found that it has a number stamped on the cylinder arm and has adj sites and the same front sight as the model 18. I decided to snag it since it was 300 + tax and processing fee that the store charges and other than some wear was in good mechanical condition and I have always wanted a DA .22lr revolver and the new ones don't have the same sex appeal to me.
 
The number stamped on the crane would be an assembly number. You have a K22 Combat Masterpiece and you did well on the price too.
 
Model 10-5 date

I just purchased a S&W Model 10-5. Could someone please tell me the ship date on this?

Serial number is C9305XX on the butt.

Thanks,

Bruce
 
CH47gunner:1966-1967. Serial number range for that year was C810533-C999999. The 10-5 was introduced in 1962 & continued in production until replaced by the 10-7 in 1977.

To obtain an exact date you need to contact Roy Jinks at S&W and pay a $50 fee to obtain a factory letter giving the shipping date, address and specification of the gun when it left the factory.
 
Radagast -

Thanks, 66/67 is close enuf for me.

I carried one of these in the military & just wanted another one that was shipped prior to 1969.
Nostalsia, I guess.

Thanks again,

Bruce
 
I've got the following:

Model 686-3, stainless
6 inch barrell, .357 Magnum
Ramp front sight, stainless with red/orange insert
Adjustable rear sight, black with white notch outline
Wood grips on a square butt
SN: BES09XX

I bought this from a good friend who knows a great deal about guns. His opinion was that it was made in 1993, because 1993 saw the introduction of the adjustable sights, and a 1994 would have had rubber grips from the factory.

I have no reason to think he isn't dead-on, but I just joined up here and, seeing this thread, figured I'd participate.

Thank you!
 
Pack:
Prefix BEP was used in December 1989, BFN in March 1990, your gun should fall between those two dates. There is however the possibility that it was manufactured out of date sequence, according to the Standard Catalog of S&W this wasn't unknown.

The 686-3 was introduced in 1988, and continued in production until 1993.
Adjustable sights were always standard on the 686, it was the 681 that had fixed sights.
 
642 dob?

A recently acquired a Smith and Wesson 642. Serial Number: BKB2xxx
I'd love to know its DOB!
Thanks in advance!

Also, I've noticed that it DOES NOT have "+P" on the barrel like the newer 642s. Is it safe to shot +P in this gun?
 
pittspilot: That serial number prefix is not listed in the Standard Catalog of S&W. letter prefixs were either single letters or three letters followed by four numerals.
What I feel is probably your correct serial number is BFB7978, which dates it between December 1989 & March 1990. This is strange because the 29-3 is listed as starting in 1982, with the last of the N prefix guns made that year. In 1983 the three letter serial prefix began.
in 1988 the 29-4 replaced the 29-3.

Also if it is a 29-3 then it should be blued or nickel finished, not stainless steel. If it is a 629-3 (stainless steel) then it was made between 1989 & 1993.
Did you take the serial number from the bottom of the grip frame (you may have to remove the grips to see it). Sometimes other numbers are stamped on the gun, these assembly numbers were used to keep track of fitted parts in the factory and are not the serial number.
 
soonerboomer: Serial number prefix BHT was used in January 1992, BKZ was used in February 1992, I suspect your gun was made during that period. The original 642 was introduced in 1990 and discontinued in 1993.
 
pittspilot: That serial number prefix is not listed in the Standard Catalog of S&W. letter prefixs were either single letters or three letters followed by four numerals.
What I feel is probably your correct serial number is BFB7978, which dates it between December 1989 & March 1990. This is strange because the 29-3 is listed as starting in 1982, with the last of the N prefix guns made that year. In 1983 the three letter serial prefix began.
in 1988 the 29-4 replaced the 29-3.

Also if it is a 29-3 then it should be blued or nickel finished, not stainless steel. If it is a 629-3 (stainless steel) then it was made between 1989 & 1993.
Did you take the serial number from the bottom of the grip frame (you may have to remove the grips to see it). Sometimes other numbers are stamped on the gun, these assembly numbers were used to keep track of fitted parts in the factory and are not the serial number.
Click to expand...

Sorry I mistyped, it is a 629-3. The number is under the crane. I think that the number may be BFS7978. Thanks,
 
pittspilot: That makes it August 1990-January 1991. Prefixes BFF & BFW were used in those months, your gun falls in between.
 
m18-1954: Your model 34-1 was made in the period 1969-1971. Serial number range for that period was M1-M30000. The Model 34 was manufactured from 1953 to 1991. The 34-1 variant was manufactured from 1960 to 1988.
 
Radagast:

Thank you so very much for your reply! So it turns out the gun is potentially a few years older than I thought...

I have to say, I knew the gun was very lightly used, but for it's age I have to say it looks and feels exceptional!

It's my first revolver of any kind, and first S&W of any kind. Maybe I just didn't appreciate/understand their quality.

Thanks!
 
Hello, I am new to any forum, sorry if I mess up on manners. I have a Smith and Wesson revolver;
a) 38 special
b) 3 inch
c) square butt
d) 5 sgit
e) fixed sites
f) serial number, 6j252, on but, nothing else
g) Mod 36 behind crane
I know that it is a 'chiefs special' from researching this site, but the serial number dose not make sense from what I have read. It seams to short, but that is all that is on the gun. It is a three screw. I would like to know any info on it, like the dob and range of value (sell vs trade). It has some wearing of the bluing on the front of the barrel, the leading edge of the cylinder (slight) and the grips have a few nicks in the wood, checkering is deep and defined, the gold medallion on the grips have had some of the gold worn off. From a user, not a collector point of view if I saw it in a gun shop, I would call it a very nice used gun. I am trying to decide whether to keep it, sell it or trade it. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
 
ssuv93: The J frames went up as high as 1Jxxxx before changing over to a 3 letter prefix to the serial number in 1983. They never reached 6jXXXX

I am guessing that your gun was stamped incorrectly and should actually have been serial number J6252. This would date it to 1969-1970, most likely 1969. The grips should be walnut without the un-checkered diamond around the grip screws seen on earlier models. The cylinder latch should not be flat and the barrel is the standard or skinny barrel. If it has a heavy barrel then it may be part of a production run for the NYPD from 1967-1973.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W listed the model 36 at $300 in very good condition and $375 in excellent condition.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
S&W 38 special identification help
Replies
5
Views
375
DPris
D
B
  • Locked
S&W Model 29-3 markings
Replies
3
Views
1K
belercous
B
Dudemeister
  • Locked
S&W Model 57
2
Replies
48
Views
3K
vmr357
vmr357
T
  • Locked
Questions about S&W Model 10-6
Replies
9
Views
729
GaryP
G
S
  • Locked
S&W Model 36 Manufacture Date:
Replies
4
Views
448
Brian Williams
Brian Williams
Back
Top