Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[blevins]

Radagast, thanks so much on the info on the gun.

The trigger and hammer do have a shiny nickel finish, but the engravings on the gun appear to be original, as if it hasn't been plated after leaving the factory, but I certainly don't assume to know.

I wish I could take a pic, but my camera's on the fritz.

The entire number is---S 816642, if that helps to I.D. the original finish of the gun.

As before, thanks for all the help!!

 

[Radagast]

olskool:
In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave the following values:
As New In Box: $1200, Excellent Plus: $450, Excellent: $335, Very Good $250, Good $200, Fair $135. We'd need a hi res photos of both sides and info on whether the timing is correct to be able to categorize it.

JLBANTA:
Barrel length should be either 4 inches with a ramp front sight or 6 inches with a square cut front sight.
If a 6 inch barrel then it's a K22 Masterpiece (later the Model 17).
In 2006 the standard catalog of S&W gave the following values:
ANIB $750, Excellent $600, Very Good $425, Good $350, Fair $250, Poor $185.
If a 4 inch barrel then it's a K-22 Combat Masterpiece (later the Model 18)
In 2006 the standard catalog of S&W gave the following values:
ANIB $525, Excellent $435, Very Good $350, Good $285, Fair $235, Poor $135. Pre model 18s do seem to be going for a bit more than that lately.
Either way, your gun was made in 1954.

blevins:
The only way to be 100% sure is to get a factory letter from Roy Jinks the S&W historian at a cost of $50.00.
S&W color case hardened all their triggers until stainless steel guns became available, when flash chrome for these parts was introduced. color case hardening gave a straw color finish.
Per the Standard Catalog of S&W, post war production of the Military & Police began at S811120 in September 1945, so yours probably dates to late 1945 or early 1946. It has the old long hammer, which is often associated with a very nice double action trigger pull. The original grips would have been checkered walnut. If the grips are real mother of pearl with a S&W emblem inset then they are factory originals. Plastic grips would be aftermarket.

 

[JLBANTA]

Radagast,
Thanks so much for the info on the .22. You are right, it is a 6" barrel and it does have a square cut sight. The condition is probably in the "good" area but where do I look for definitions of good and very good. Also, any info on the net on how to take care of guns. I know I am not suppose to do any restoration and I just want to presurve them.
Thanks again

 

[Radagast]

JLBANTA:
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/Condition-NRA-Guns.htm
Jim Supica is one of the authors of the Standard Catalog of S&W, so read his version at that link.

Restoration is always a possibility, but may cost more than the gun is worth. Check out Fords: http://www.fordsguns.com/ S&W can also refinish guns, but they may not work on guns that old. Give them a call to find out.

General rule of thumb for guns is keep them dry, keep them oiled, clean after shooting. For more detailed questions start a new thread either in revolvers or in the gunsmithing sub forum.

 

[vermel]

Vermel:
If your gun is a break top (barrel swings down to load) with an exposed hammer then it is a S&W .38 Double Action 2nd model manufactured between 1880 & 1884. Caliber is .38 S&W (not .38 S&W Special) and should only be shot with black powder loads or equivalent substitutes. Try Old Western Scrounger for ammo. Modern ammo will wear it out faster due to the faster burn time and hence higher pressure than black powder.

If it is a break top with an internal hammer then it is a .38 Safety Hammerless 2nd Model manufactured between 1887 & 1990. Ammunition as above.

If it is a break top with an exposed hammer, no trigger guard and a spur trigger then it is a .38 Single Action 2nd Model manufactured between 1877 & 1891. Ammunition as above.

If the gun has a swing out cylinder then it is probably a .38 Regulation Police manufactured between 1917 & 1940. Caliber is .38 S&W, but modern smokeless ammunition can be used. Barrel length should be 4 inches from the forcing cone (cylinder end) to the muzzle. Regulation Police should be stamped on the barrels right side.

If the gun has a swing out cylinder and has .38 S&W SPL. marked on the right side of the barrel,with an exposed hammer is & steel frame it is a Chiefs Special from 1953 to 1955. Caliber is .38 S&W Special and any standard velocity load can be used. Barrel length should be 3 inches.

Thanks, Radagast. Mine must be a .38 Safety Hammerless 2nd model (1887-1990). I'll try Old Western Scrounger for ammo.

 

[vermel]

Thanks, Radagast. Mine must be a .38 Safety Hammerless 2nd model (1887-1990) which fits the time frame with the lower serial number. I'll try Old Western Scrounger for ammo.

 

[JLBANTA]

Radagast, Once again you have been most helpful. Many thanks. JLBANTA

 

[jad0110]

Here are a couple, I may buy one of them.

Both are Model 28-2s:

N517xxx

N110xxx

 

[Radagast]

jad0110:
N517xxx = 1978-1980.
N110xxx = 1973.

 

[agg]

caliber
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips shape (round or square)
d) number of shots/cylinder bores
e) type of sights.
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip
g) Model number if it is under the crane.
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder).

barrel stamped 38 S&W special CTG
a. 38
b. 4"
c. square butt
d. 6 shot
e. fixed sight
f. Frame on bottom of butt is marked 50395 .... Under the barrel is stamped B 50395

Thank You

 

[Radagast]

agg:
You have a .38/44 Heavy Duty manufactured between 1930 and 1941. Someone has cut down the barrel and installed what appears to be a cut down post war Patridge front sight & base. The original front sight would have been a half moon without a base and the original barrel length was probably 5 inches. 4 & 6.5 inch barrels were made, yours is probably 3.5 inches.
There would be minimal value to a collector due to the modifications, so treat it as a shooter.

 

[agg]

Thanks that is great

This was suppose to be one of my grandfathers service guns. He was a cop back in 1950 to early 1960. Could this explain why the barrel was cut down and modified... I have his old belt hoster for this gun. It fits the short barrel and was suppose to be police issue...

 

[silverking]

Need birthdates for two:

cal. 357mag
bbl 6"
6 shot
red ramp fixed front sight
adjustable rear sight
square butt
mod 686-3
ser# BNY04xx
stainless

cal. 357mag
bbl 6"
6 shot
red ramp front sight
adjustable rear sight
square butt
mod 19-5
Ser# AUB60xx
blue

Thanks--appreciate the information
Bill

 

[zephyr89]

My old 38

a) caliber: .38 special
b) barrel length: 4 inches
c) grips shape: square butt, wood grips.
d) number of shots: 6
e) type of sights: notch & post. front notch from the side bears resemblance to a door stop wedge. probably a 10-15 degree angle.
f) Model number:10-6.

2 additional questions.


Can this revolver shoot +P or +P+ cartridges? It has probably had less than 1,000 shots put through it.

Appraisal? It has 95% blue and wood is in VG condition. Rifling is strong.

 

[Radagast]

zephyr89:
Your 10-6 was manufactured in 1976-1977. It should be fine to use with .38 special plus P ammunition, which is limited to 10% more than standard pressures. Plus P Plus has not limit and may be at .357 magnum pressures. As such it should not be used except in guns chambered for .357 magnum. In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $275 in excellent condition.

silverking:
BNY04xx dates to around March 1993, the Standard Catalog of S&W records BNWxxxx in that month.
AUB60xx dates to between January 1986 (AHCxxxx) & July 1987 (AVBxxxx).

 

[Radagast]

agg:
3.5 inch barrels were an option on the .357 Magnum (Model 27) built on the same frame, the holster may have been a standard item to fit that. As to why it was cut down we will never know. He may have wanted a concealable gun or the barrel may have been bulged by a bad round and cut back behind the bulge. Or it may have been an evidence gun that had been crudely cut off, so he salvaged it and had the new sight fitted. Lots of room for speculation, at best you can contact S&W and pay $50 for a factory letter from their historian Roy Jinks, who will tell you when it left the factory, where it was shipped to and what specification it had at the time.

 

[zephyr89]

thanks a lot radagast!!! You da man!

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Radagast, thanks for the info, I just got back to this thread. Here's a pic, still unfired..... subject to change soon

 

[buckhead]

Cal 38
Barrel 3.5"
Grip Round
5 shot flip open
fixed sights
Serial # 3350 then looks like someone else stamped lightly #399 upside down.

 

[AirplaneDoc]

Ok I will play as well

Cal 357 Mag
Barrel 6"
Model 686
Serial AAD 61XX
Square
Fixed

Thanks

AD

 

[buckhead]

Cal 38
Barrel 3.5"
Grip Round
5 shot flip open
fixed sights
Serial # 3350 then looks like someone else stamped lightly #399 upside down.

 

[doc540]

this popped up in the local classifieds today for not much money

caliber
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 2"
c) grips shape (round or square) - square? (my 1972 J frame stocks don't fit it)
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 5 shot
e) type of sights - fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - 486777
g) Model number if it is under the crane - Model 36
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder).

DOB?

purty little thang, ain't it?

 

[dicty2004]

Just picked up my 10-5 today. There are two numbers, 1) at crane 15291; 2) at the butt of grip C793521.

 

[kyarcher]

SW Model 19-4 3 pin Serial # 56K36XX........Thanks, Bob

 

[Jonah71]

Maybe you can give me a little more info on a recent purchase. Sorry I can't do pics yet on this pc...but the gun is a S&W Mod 14 .38 spec. 4" barrel. serial # K3387xx. Was told on another site that it was made in 1958. Pretty sure the guy knows his stuff but just asking. I ended up paying just over $400 for it. Thanks. If I can dig myself outa the snow in the morning, I'll try again to post a pic.