Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

Johnwonace:
Your Model 60 Chiefs Special Stainless dates to the period 1965 to 1969. Serial range for those years was 401754 to 786544.
We can refine this further. If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1965-1968. If the grips are original and the checkering goes up to the grip screws then 1968-1969.

 

[Radagast]

rob b:
Your Model 32-1 .38/.32 Terrier was manufactured between 1961 & 1969. In 1961 S&W changed from the small .32 sized I frame (hence .38/.32) to the .38 Special sized J frame. The -1 after the model number references this change. In 1969 the serial range ended at 122678 & restarted at H00001.

there were a couple of design changes over that period that will help refine the year of manufacture.
If the cylinder release is a flat latch, then 1961 to 1966.
If the cylinder release is a concave latch and the grips have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1966 to 1968.
If the cylinder release is a concave latch and the checkering on the grips goes all the way to the grip screws then 1968 to 1969.

 

[Radagast]

roguesam:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to 1982.

 

[Oyeboten]

Hi Radagast,


Some while ago, I had found this little M&P .38 Special Snub-Nose in a local Pawn Shop, and, having presented it here for your analysis, you had mentioned it might be interesting for me to obtain a Letter as well.





I got the Letter, and, it says -


"...serial number 672876 was shipped from our Factory on December 16th 1938, and delivered to Metropolitan Police Department, Hammond, Indiana. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 2 inch barrel, blue finish, and, checkered black hard rubber grips."


Wow...what fun...( my first 'Letter' too. )


Thought you'd enjoy to hear the result...and or to note when that particular number shipped for general reference ( though of course I am sure their numbers had a wide margain far as when anything in particular actually shipped. )


Best wishes!

And thanks again for the Letter ideas...it was really fun getting the Letter and finding out where it was shipped to and exactly when.

 

[Radagast]

Oyeboten:
Thanks for posting that. I've annotated my SCSW for future reference.

Re the Brazilian gun: If you go back to pages 60 & 61 of this thread you will find lots of info, speculation and pics re Dogngun's & DrakeGmbh's respective 1917s.

S&W assembled guns in the post WWII era using spare parts & frames bought back from the US Army, so I wouldn't be surprised if they used up any WWI era spares for the original shipment to Brazil in 1938 as well.
In 1937/38 the Great Depression was still on and according to Old Fuff S&W were making and stockpiling frames & parts to keep their workforce afloat.
It seems logical that they would reach for the parts bin and shake it empty when they finally got a decent order, especially as the US army already had a stockpile of 1917 parts and were not likely to buy more in the future.
The SCSW notes that most of the 1938 shipment was in the serial range 181983 to 207043, with the lowest known Brazilian serial number being 16974x. So your frame number being somewhat higher than 180160 should place it in that group.
The Eagle stamp should have an Sx stamp next to it if passed by a U.S. army sub inspector, the lack of the Sx stamp suggests that S&W stamped the eagles but never turned the parts over to the sub-inspector, which would explain the parts still being in stock at S&W after the war.
The US issue serial range ended at 169959 in September 1919. Serial number 180455 shipped as a commercial model on February 7 1929. Looking at the numbers, fewer than 1000 1917s sold per year from 1919 to 1937, so its possible that the gun was a bitzer from the factory in an attempt to clear dead stock. There is however the possibility that it was an arsenal repair in Brazil or assembled from parts by the milsurp importer who brought them back into the USA.
I guess my gut feeling is you should pass on it if the timing isn't perfect, there are plenty of 1917s out there and although its provenance is interesting its not documentable unless you pay for a factory letter that may not note the bitzer configuration and probably won't add value.
If it was a post WWII commercial rework like Drake's I would be all over it myself.

 

[Radagast]

FirearmsInPhoenix:
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman dates to the period 1974-1977. Unfortunately the Standard Catalog of S&W doesn't give a more detailed breakdown by year for that date range.

 

[Oyeboten]

Hi Radagast,


Thank you very much for the 'Brazil' related info.


I did elect to pass, partly because I could not determine how to evaluate it's unusual variety of parts, and, maybe moreso, because of the poor Timing and Lock up, especially for a Revolver which appeared to have such a high degree of original ( 'Commercial' type )Blue remaining...and, because, as you relay, there are quite a few M1917s S & Ws out there, and, I would prefer the one I get to Ring the Bell nicely.


Sure was an interesting Revolver though, in it's way.

 

[savage1911]

a).357 magnum
b)3 inches
c)round
d)6
e)fixed
f)x73xx it also says b16 on the cylinder arm
g)65-3

 

[Bboomer]

K Framed 65-3's were made from 1982 untill 1988. If you will show the most significant digit in the s/n that would be more helpfull. the -3's is when the pinned bbl was eliminated. The 3 screw frames are made of stainless steel.

 

[savage1911]

correction: serial number anb84xx

 

[savage1911]

a).357 magnum
b)3 inches
c)round
d)6
e)fixed
f)anb84xx
g)65-3

 

[5-SHOTS]

Thank you very much Radagast.God bless you.Happy new year.

Best regards,5-SHOTS.

 

[Radagast]

savage1911:
Your Model 65-3 .357 Military & Police Heavy Barrel Stainless dates to between November 1985 & January 1986.

5-SHOTS:
Thank you. I hope you have a great year ahead of you.

 

[apruckler]

32 s&w revolver that I inherited!

Hello. I'd like to know the manufacture date of my 32 s&w short revolver and any other information in regards to this revolver. I inherited it and would like any or all info I can get in regards to it. This would be much appreciated. Here's my gun's info:

a.) 32 short s&w
b.) 3 and a half inch barrel
c.) round grip
d.) 5 shot cylinder
e.) non-adjustible sights
f.) seriel number- 185547
g.) model number- 85547

The seriel and/or model number is stamped on the butt of the gun and also around the ammo cylinder. SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S.A. is stamped on top of the barrel. 32 s&w ctg is on left side of the barrel. I think the grips/handle is hard rubber...if not, then it is hard plastic but I think it's hard rubber but not exactly sure. The S&W trademark is on the right side of the gun. I have two pictures attached here of my gun. Thank you so much for your help on finding the manufacture date of my gun and any other info.

 

[Radagast]

apruckler:
You have a .32 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model, also known as the New Departure because of the then new double action only mechanism. It was unofficially known as the Lemon Squeezer because of the grip safetys alleged similarity to a common kitchen implement of the times.
Manufactured between 1909 & 1937 in the serial range 170000 to 242981, S&W advertised these guns as being suited for smokeless (modern) gun powder. Earlier versions were for blackpowder only. Modern .32 S&W is loaded to blackpowder pressure levels, but still has a faster pressure peak which will strain the gun. If you want to shoot it a lot consider handloading a blackpowder substitute such as Goex instead of smokeless ammo.
The serial number is 185547, the model number you quote is probably a duplication of the serial number which has been poorly stamped, S&W often duplicated the serial number on the barrel, extractor & cylinder of their earlier guns. S&W didn't start stamping model numbers on their guns until 1957.

In 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $285 in fine condition, $475 in excellent condition.

These old guns are hard to work on and only second hand spare parts are available, so refrain from dry firing. The grips are hard rubber, the 3.5 inch barrel was one of the more common lengths and the blued finish was a factory option, although nickel seems to have been more popular.

 

[powerline]

A) 22 LR
B) 5 13/16"
C) Square
D) 6 Shot
E) Adjustable
F) K705782
G) MOD 17-2

 

[Radagast]

powerline:
Your Model 17-2 22 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1966.

 

[bdb benzino]

Just picked up my model 12-3 and wanted to see how old she is, Thanks alot!
A. 38spl ctg
B. 2''
C. round
D. 6 shot
E. fixed
F. 4d198xx
G. 12-3

 

[savage1911]

@Radgast thanks a bunch. Have a great new year

 

[apruckler]

Thank you so much for this information. Do you know what other model name this gun could go by? I've seen things like Model 40, and so on! The reason I ask is because I'm looking for a holster that fits this gun and I need to know some of these things! Thanks again for your help!

 

[Radagast]

apruckler:
The Model 4O, also known as the Centennial is a different gun, it has a swing out cylinder instead of being a top break and is chambered in .38 Special on the larger J frame. The only real similarity is the use of a grip safety.
You will need to have a custom holster made as few if any major manufacturers will have a mold for a gun that hasn't been made for seventy years.

 

[Radagast]

bdb benzino:
You have a Model 12-3 Military & Police Airweight manufactured in 1979.

 

[FROGDOG]

This is my first post, thanks for the site.
a. 357
b. 4"
c. round
d. 6
e. fixed
f.7D111850
e. 65-2
I bought gun last summer from a gun shop for $350( IMHO a good price) a few wear marks, nothing serious. Uncle Mike's rubber grips. It was a TDC (Texas Dept. of Corrections) weapon. Carried some, used a little. Wish I had bought one of the 3" ones also.
Thanks again.....

 

[FROGDOG]

Sorry, the above was my second post. The first was a few weeks ago about a holster for a Rossi 642. Got my from El Paso Saddlery. I have several semi's but keep going back to .357 for CCW.

 

[JCisne32]

Hi,
My grandfather just showed me his revolver that was given to him many years ago.

a) .38 special S&W CTG
b) 5"
c) square
d) 6
e) adjustable sights.
f) C 340...
g) there is a number in the frame when you open the cylinder close to the barrel that reads:

O
6735
O

My grandfather mentioned it is a steel frame, and it came in a blue finish, yet he sent it get nickle plated. On the side of the gun it states Made in the USA, Marcas registradas, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Massachussets.

I would like to know what type of model it is, what frame it is, when it was built and around how much its worth. Can anyone help me find this information?