Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

soonerboomer: Sorry, I forgot the bit about Plus P ammo in your query. I can't give you a definite answer on that, I have read various claims that limited amounts of Plus P are OK with Airweights, I have also read that no amount is good due to the risk of stretching the frame. I suggest you call S&W customer service a call and ask them directly, giving the year, model and serial number of your gun.

 

[ssuv93]

Thank you Radagast.

Thank you for the information. This s&w does have the raised, contoured cylinder release and the skinny barrel. Again, this is the first forum that I have ever joined or posted to. Thank you for your quick response. I have gone through a lot of forums in the past few days, and this forum is by far the most polite and welcoming one out there.

 

[trex1310]

My S&W's

27-2
a) .357 Magnum
b) 4" barrel
c) Square
d) 6 rounds
e) Adjustable
f) N65540x

64
a) .38 special
b) 4" barrel
c) Square
d) 6 rounds
e) Fixed
f) 050426x

41
a) .22lr
b) 5-1/2"" barrel
c) Target
d) 10 rounds
e) Adjustable
f) A58180x

Thanks in advance.

 

[Radagast]

trex1310:
Your 27-2 was made in 1979 or 1980.

Your model 64 should have a D in the serial number or a three letter prexid to the serial number. The number you have quoted is probably an assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory. The serial number will be stamped on the bottom of the grip frame, you may need to remove the grips to see it.

Your model 41 was made in 1979 or 1980.

 

[cerberus65]

My newest acquisition is:

a) .357 magnum
b) 4"
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) adjustable
f) BFJ06xx
g) 19-6

I picked it up yesterday evening and took it to the range at lunch today. I like it!

 

[Svery]

So, I have this, yet to receive it but the details are


a) 44 magnum
b) 8 1/3 " barrel
c) square butt (I think)
d) 6 shot
e) Adjustable sights
f) s/n N9112xx
g) Its an M629 - something

no lock
original cylinder stop
N790,001 – N932,999...…1980-83 (from http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=356710) -so what does this tell me about the build quality/strength and revision of this revolver?

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2929/28091847.jpg

Is this a M629-1?

 

[bigolhillbilly]

DOB for Dads Bodyguard

a) 38 Spl.
b) 1 7/8 BBl
c) round
d) 5 shots
e) fixed sights
f) 1J21XXX
g) model 38

 

[Radagast]

bigolhillbilly: 1983. The last of the J serial numbered guns were built that year, starting at 1J18601. By 1984 most S&Ws would have a three letter serial number prefix. The model 38 Airweight Bodyguard was introduced in 1955 & discontinued in 1999.

 

[Radagast]

Svery: Per the standard Catalog of S&W N900000 was used 1982 to 1986, with the highest serial number recorded being in the N97xxxx range, so if the information in that thread is correct we can narrow your gun down to 1982 or 1983.

The 629-1 was introduced in 1982, so if yours is a dash something, that is what it is.

As for quality/lifespan the gun was made during the Bangor Punta ownership period, when quality control is supposed to have slipped at times. It is also before the 629-2E Endurance package with the hardened yoke and frame, so it may not stand up as well to constant heavy loads.

Shoot it and see. If you are still interested in more detailed answers, start a new thread in the revolver forum about your gun.

 

[Radagast]

Cerberus65: Probably between September 1989 & March 1990. Serial prefixes for those months were BFE & BFN. The BFx prefixes are found scattered over a two year period though, so some guns were made out of date order.

 

[cerberus65]

thanks!

 

[sam3]

smith and wesson flat latch chief's special ser . #80186

 

[Radagast]

sam3: Almost certainly 1956. The Standard Catalog of S&W lists serial range 55050 to 75000 in 1955 & 117770 to 125000 in 1957.

 

[jpcaride]

Hi cleanig some of my fathers drawers, I found a S&W that was from his father, so I´m trying to determine the age and model information
Its a S&W 32 long CTG, 6 shots. The serial number is B 1676## is on underside of the the barrel, on the cylinder and under the Walnut Checkerd Grips Flat ButT.On one side of the barrel is 32 LONG CTG. Last dates on the barrel: FEB.6.08. SEP.14.09. The finish is blue. There is an S&W insignia engraved below the release for the cylinder.On the other side no insignia with 4 bolt plate.
Sights: Front Fix, Rear adjustable
Pictures are attached.

 

[Radagast]

jpcaride: Your picture did not upload, based on your description you have a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, 5th Change target variant. The serial number should be 1676##, the B prefix was used on pocket automatics.

Manufactured between 1910 & 1917 in the serial number range 102501 to 263000 the .32 hand ejector was later in a modified form to become the model 30 & the model 31 .32 Regulation Police. In excellent condition in 2006 the Standard catalog of S&W gave a value of $385.00 plus a premium for the target version. The frame is the old I frame, a small S&W logo on the left side of the frame was the norm, finish was blued or nickeled, with barrel lengths of 3.25, 4.25 & 6 inches. The frame would be a round butt frame, if a target model it probably has squared off grips.

 

[jpcaride]

Thank you RADAGAST !!!!

Thank you for the information.
one question: "the B prefix was used on pocket automatics?" what do you meen by pocket automatics?

I will try to upload a photo again


Thank Again !!

 

[Svery]

Here is another recent acquisition. Lovely revolver to look at and shoot.

a) 22LR
b) 6 " barrel
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) Adjustable sights
f) s/n BHL62xx
g) M617 - something

no lock
original cylinder stop

 

[Radagast]

jpcaride: A pocket automatic is my term for a small semiautomatic pistol designed to carry in a pocket. In this case the Escort series. Some members here refer to them as Mouse Guns. That is definitely a .32 Hand Ejector target variant. Grips are correct for the type.

 

[Radagast]

svery:Between March 1991 & March 1992. Serial number prefixes recorded for these months are BHE & BHP respectively.

 

[corion3]

S&W.32 Safety-Hammerless

My dad just showed me this S&W.32 Safety-Hammerless top-break automatic-ejection 5 shot revolver. The serial number is 19278. He is considering selling it and was wondering what the value range might be? Any ideas?

 

[Radagast]

corion3: Your dad has a .32 safety Hammerless 1st model, manufactured between 1888 & 1902 in the serial number range 1 to 91417. Serial number 53252 was recorded August 1894. Your gun predates this so it meets the cut off point for being considered an antique by the BATF. Blued finish was scarce, nickel common. The trigger should be color case hardened, I can't tell from your photo whether that is the case or if the trigger is nickeled. If nickeled then the gun has been refinished at some point in the past, which would detract from it's value to a collector. 3 & 3.5 inch barrels are common. 2 & 6 inch rare.
If the bore is not pitted and the finish is original, per the Standard Catalog of S&W then its probably worth between $285 & $475, its a matter of finding a collector who wants that particular model to get the higher price. If refinished probably around $185.00.

 

[corion3]

S&w .32

Thanks so much for the information. The trigger is color case hardened and it has not been refinished.

 

[HillbillyDoc]

S&W .38 Special CTG Duty Issue Side Arm

Hello all. Newbie here. I have read much of the thread here and found it fascinating.

I was bequeathed my grandfather's duty side arm .38 Special (Picture attached or at the least attempted) likely issued in January 1958 when he became the Sheriff of Haskell County in Oklahoma. I have done some poking around on the 'net and come accross a few tidbits. The "V" should represent a "Victory" model for Military & Police. From the pic you can see that the grips were updated.

Details are:

4" BBL

Squared off Grip

6 shot

Blade Sight

SN: V117674

Model 10 (I believe)

Can anybody tell me in what year that it was manufactured? I would certainly appreciate it.

 

[bz4736]

a) 44 MAG
b) 4 " barrel
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e) Adjustable sights
f) s/n AHY77XX
g) M629-1

 

[Radagast]

HillbillyDoc:

The V prefix Victory models were manufactured between 1942 & December 1945 when the SV prefix was introduced. As yours has a relatively low serial numbr, I would guess it was made in 1942 or early 1943.