Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

S&W 38 ctg

38 S&W CTG
5 inch barrel
Square butt
6 shot
Fixed sights. Front sight is half-round in shape

ser number from the butt of the gun is 8214** "P" is also stamped on the butt of the gun. Ser number is also stamped on the bottom of the barrel

59420 is stamped on the crane of the gun

There is also a hole in the butt of the gun where a lanyard was to be attached.

Looking for any information that can be provided.
 
DarrinG:
You have a British Service Revolver manufactured by S&W for the British Govt in 1940 or 1941.
The cartridge is .38 S&W, not .38 S&W Special, the British loaded the .38 S&W cartridge with a heavier bullet and called it the .380 revolver or .38/200 as it used a 200 grain bullet.
Many of these guns had the cylinder bored out after the war to allow .38 specials to chamber.
Because the 38 S&W case head is wider than the .38 special case head split and bulged cases are known to occur with guns modified in such a manner. It's easy to check, if the .38 S&W Special case will chamber then the gun has been modified. If so modified, stick to standard pressure ammunition.

.38 S&W is still made, but it is expensive compared to .38 special and not many shops stock it. Try old Western Scrounger for an online supply.

The British Service Revolver was manufactured on the same frame as and in the same serial range as the .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, the predecessor to todays Model 10. When the serial numbers hit 1000000 serials started over again at V1. Your gun is from the earlier commercial contract period, the V stamped guns were supplied under the Lend Lease scheme and shared the same serial number range as the .38 Special chambered Victory Model issued to US forces.

BSRs were made in bright blue, sandblast blue or sandblast black magic (Parkerising) finishes. Checkered diamond walnut grips for commercial contract guns and smooth walnut grips for military guns.

After the war the British Service Revolver continued in production as the Model 11.
 
K Frame
Serial 1272XX ( as seen on Cylinder face )

.357 Magnum.

5 Inch Barrel

Target Sights


Top of Heavy Barrel, and Frame Top-Strap covered in very fine checking...Long inset strap of Adjustable Rear Sight having different checkering schedule.

Recessed Cylinder.


Old Walnut Target Grips but I assume Square Butt ( Grips covered the backstrap and Butt)



Lug for Ejector Rod. ( but I forget how far the Lug went...I think it may not have gone to the Muzzle, but stopped short)


No Model Number inside Crane area.


Any ideas??? what it is? Or when from?

Blueing looked like the Old Kind...


I forget to notice if it was four screw or five ( or I could narrow this down better )


( Saw at Gunshow today, seller not present, seller's wife knew nothing, but thought $500.00 ish though unsure, and it is haunting me...and I am feeling bothered I did go back and meet seller and if price was okay, maybe get it...)
 
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Oyeboten:
Almost certainly a post war pre-model 27 .357 magnum. If you take off the grips you will probably find the serial number is S1272xx, which dates it to 1954-1955.
In 2006 the SCSW gave $1200 ANIB, $850 in excellent condition, $500 in very good condition.

There is a chance however that that is an assembly number and the serial number is different.

If you go back and check it out with the grips off, a serial number below 62490 makes it a pre-war non registered magnum. SCSW VG con = $3000.

if the serial number is in the S71xxx range then it is a post war transitional model. Value $8000 to $10,000.

I'm in a different time zone. If the show is still open I suggest you go back and check it out.

PS: It should be a five screw.
 
Thanks Radagast..!



You da Man!


Looked like it had the same Serial No. in the recess of Lug where the Ejector Rod rests when the Cylinder is closed...


I really liked it, and, wish I could go back and talk with the seller, but, show is done.

Looked 'Carried Much, Shot Seldom'...maybe 60 percent Blue.

If Seller is at the next Show, I will see about what he can live with.



Say, would you know, when did S&W stop Staming the Serial No. on the inside edge of the Cylinder?

Late 1950s?
 
a) .357

b) 6"

c) Square

d) 6

e) Fixed

f) S163930 from butt

g) 76303 under crane

Thank you in advance for your assistance
 
hddeluxe:
Your sights should be adjustable, there should be a small screw in the side of the rear blade to allow adjustment.
With that serial number you have either a post war .357 Magnum (Pre Model 27) or a Highway Patrolman (Pre Model 28) manufactured in 1956 or 1957. As model numbers were introduced in 1957 and you don't have a model number stamped under the cylinder yoke, 1956 appears right. The Highway Patrolman had "Highway Patrol" stamped on the barrel, the .357 Magnum has a checkered barrel rib and frame topstrap.
added: The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that the upper side plate screw was deleted at S171584 in 1956, so your gun is definitely from 1956.
 
Oyeboten:
See my answer to hddeluxe, looks like the gun you are interested in is probably a four screw based on the serial number.
 
Thanks Radagast!


Uhhhh...where would I find this? ( I tried going back many pages, but did not see it...)
 
Oyeboten:
My post number 1834. The SCSW notes the fifth screw was deleted on the Highway Patrolman at roughly S171584 and the .357 Magnum at roughly S172000.
 
Ohhhhh!


Okay...


"History"


Takes patience!!!



Thanks...


P.S.


I'm kinda liking the old Model 27s and their pre-model versions.


Darn...they are sort of pricey ( for me anyway...) but, I am liking them.


Wish me luck...

Now that this opened my Eyes to them, I will keep an Eye peeled for one that can be my very own.
 
I would greatly appreciate any info and appx DOB for my latest acquisition:

a) .38

b) 4"

c) Square butt

d) Six-shooter

e) Notched fixed rear sight - serrated ramp front sight

f) Serial number: 9D84988

g) Model number 10-8

e) Nickel finish


Thanks, guys!
 
Model 13-1 (picture posted in revolvers 1961 - 1980 thread)

SN: 2D61287

Blued

4 inch barrell

.357 Mag


Thank you,

Jackie
 
obed_ned:

Your Model 31-1 Regulation Police falls into the serial range for 1961 to 1970, being 712954 to 826977, so late 60s seems right.
It it has the original timber grips and they have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then it is from 1968 or earlier. If the checkering runs up to the screws then it's from 1968 or later.
If the cylinder release is flat it is from 1966 or earlier. If it concave then it is from 1966 or later.
The 31-1 was built on the J frame, the 31 (no dash) was built on the earlier I frame and improved I frame. When buying grips or other spare parts keep this in mind.
 
Gunteach2010:
You have a Chiefs Special manufactured in 1956. In 1957 the Chiefs Special was designated the Model 36. However, if it has an aluminum frame and the barrel is marked "Airweight" then it is a Chiefs Special Airweight, designated the Model 37 in 1957.
 
How about this one

a) 38
b) 4"
c) Square
d) 6
e) Fixed
f) 4D743XX
g) MCD. 10-7

Also in the crane of the gun - the numbers 6T8 and 25688.

Any info will be much appreciated.
 
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