heavyshooter
Member
Thanks Radagast
Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
Quoheleth
Member
S&W 28-2
SN: S246XXX
4" pinned & recessed cylinder
6-shot
.357 Magnum
Grip unknown - I assume square
Thanks!
Q
SN: S246XXX
4" pinned & recessed cylinder
6-shot
.357 Magnum
Grip unknown - I assume square
Thanks!
Q
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JPG1911
Member
thanks very much. I did purchase the gun for $150, its in great condition, upon removing the grips, the serial number is very much in tact and is AWH 2378, there is also a hand engraved 31 after the sn, any thoughts on this? Hope your recovery is quick and as painless and a broken spine can be
opening the cylinder reveals "MOD 65-3" on the frame, and E11 27272 on the yoke
on the left hand side of the frame under the grip from left to right" 1, E11, 27272, S, F12"
on the right hand side of the frame under the grip from left to right " symbol that looks somewhat like a clock pointing to 12 o'clock(this is a common practice in many manufacturing facilities indicating the hour of manufacture so as to be able to trace problems back to an individual batch or technician - is that the case with s&w?) 7563, then a symbol that looks like a capitol A with an "x" inside or perhaps a mountain, hard to say. Any additional info would be very much appreciated.
opening the cylinder reveals "MOD 65-3" on the frame, and E11 27272 on the yoke
on the left hand side of the frame under the grip from left to right" 1, E11, 27272, S, F12"
on the right hand side of the frame under the grip from left to right " symbol that looks somewhat like a clock pointing to 12 o'clock(this is a common practice in many manufacturing facilities indicating the hour of manufacture so as to be able to trace problems back to an individual batch or technician - is that the case with s&w?) 7563, then a symbol that looks like a capitol A with an "x" inside or perhaps a mountain, hard to say. Any additional info would be very much appreciated.
Radagast
Member
Quoheleth:
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman dates to 1964 or 1965. Serial range for those years was S236000 to S257999.
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman dates to 1964 or 1965. Serial range for those years was S236000 to S257999.
Radagast
Member
JPG1911:
AWH2378 dates your gun to roughly July 1987. Guns in the serial range AVBxxxx to AWWxxxx shipped that month. The 65-3 variant was produced from 1982 to 1988. The other stampings are called assembly numbers. These were stamped on fitted parts to keep the disassembled gun together as it moves through the production process. I've no clue who put the hand engraved number on the gun, possibly it was owned by a security company or small department?
AWH2378 dates your gun to roughly July 1987. Guns in the serial range AVBxxxx to AWWxxxx shipped that month. The 65-3 variant was produced from 1982 to 1988. The other stampings are called assembly numbers. These were stamped on fitted parts to keep the disassembled gun together as it moves through the production process. I've no clue who put the hand engraved number on the gun, possibly it was owned by a security company or small department?
Quoheleth
Member
Thanks, Radagast.
KingMedicine
Member
586, blued 6 shot .357 with a 4 inch barrel. Serial number is AJE1XXX. Got a DOB for me? Shes new to me and only been shot prob 18 times.
Radagast
Member
KingMedicine:
Your Model 586 Distinguished Combat Magnum dates to around early to mid 1985. There is a recall in effect for these early L frame guns. With some magnum ammo the primer could flow back around the firing pin and into the firing pin bushing, locking up the cylinder. If your gun has been modified under the recall there will be an M stamped near the model number under the cylinder yoke cut out.
If you want to have the gun modified S&W will pay shipping both ways, call them for a shipping label. S&W will fit a new firing pin & bushing with tighter tolerances to prevent the flow back prblem from occuring. Actual instances of this happening seem rare, in ten years as a regular on internet gun boards I'm only aware of one poster who has had their gun lock up in this way.
Your Model 586 Distinguished Combat Magnum dates to around early to mid 1985. There is a recall in effect for these early L frame guns. With some magnum ammo the primer could flow back around the firing pin and into the firing pin bushing, locking up the cylinder. If your gun has been modified under the recall there will be an M stamped near the model number under the cylinder yoke cut out.
If you want to have the gun modified S&W will pay shipping both ways, call them for a shipping label. S&W will fit a new firing pin & bushing with tighter tolerances to prevent the flow back prblem from occuring. Actual instances of this happening seem rare, in ten years as a regular on internet gun boards I'm only aware of one poster who has had their gun lock up in this way.
Radagast
Member
BossHogg:
Your Model 36-1 Chiefs Special three inch heavy barrel was manufactured in 1982.
Your Model 36-1 Chiefs Special three inch heavy barrel was manufactured in 1982.
bkoz
Member
Deaf Smith
Member
Got a Smith I frame for $140 at a pawn shop.
a 4"
b round
c 6
d fixed
e Hand Ejector
f 161xxx
Has black hard rubber grips.
I THINK it is around 1912 but not sure.
Deaf
a 4"
b round
c 6
d fixed
e Hand Ejector
f 161xxx
Has black hard rubber grips.
I THINK it is around 1912 but not sure.
Deaf
Jimfern
Member
I just traded into a low use, little loved 15-3. If functions fine, but has a few light rust/pitting spots on it an doesn't have the original grips. I thought of it more as a rescue. Thanks for any date info you can provide.
a) caliber - 38 Special
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 4"
c) grips shape (round or square) - Square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - Adjustable
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - 3K540XX
g) Model number if it is under the crane. 15-3
a) caliber - 38 Special
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 4"
c) grips shape (round or square) - Square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - Adjustable
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - 3K540XX
g) Model number if it is under the crane. 15-3
Attachments
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Radagast
Member
Jimfern:
Your Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in in 1972. Original grips would have been the walnut magna style with the checkering running to the grip screws.
Deaf Smith:
You didn't give a caliber. If a .38 Special, then your gun is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 3rd Change manufactured between 1909 & 1915 in the serial range 146900 to 241703, so 1909/1910 seems likely.
If a .32 S&W long then you have a .32 hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 & 1917 in the serial range 102501 to 263000.
With either gun they predate heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard velocity lead, no jacketed, PlusP or +P+ ammunition.
Either model will predate the internal hammer block safety, so if kept loaded the chamber under the hammer should be left empty. if dropped with a loaded chamber the gun could fire.
bkoz:
Your Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1972.
Your Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in in 1972. Original grips would have been the walnut magna style with the checkering running to the grip screws.
Deaf Smith:
You didn't give a caliber. If a .38 Special, then your gun is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 3rd Change manufactured between 1909 & 1915 in the serial range 146900 to 241703, so 1909/1910 seems likely.
If a .32 S&W long then you have a .32 hand Ejector Model of 1903 5th Change manufactured between 1910 & 1917 in the serial range 102501 to 263000.
With either gun they predate heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard velocity lead, no jacketed, PlusP or +P+ ammunition.
Either model will predate the internal hammer block safety, so if kept loaded the chamber under the hammer should be left empty. if dropped with a loaded chamber the gun could fire.
bkoz:
Your Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1972.
Robinett_11B
Member
a) .38 Special
b) 1-7/8"
c) Round-butt
d) 5 shot
e) Fixed front w/ notched rear
f) R143210
g) Mod. 60
b) 1-7/8"
c) Round-butt
d) 5 shot
e) Fixed front w/ notched rear
f) R143210
g) Mod. 60
.38 4th change M&P
DOB please and approx value too if possible. It has no rust and aprox 65% blue cylinder barrel like new not fired much. very tight actiond and cylinder.
a) caliber .38
b) bbl length 4"
c) grips shape square
d) number of cylinder 6
e) type of sights fixed front and rear
f) serial number, 270XXX on the bottom of the grip barrel and cylinder
g) number under the crane. 2468
DOB please and approx value too if possible. It has no rust and aprox 65% blue cylinder barrel like new not fired much. very tight actiond and cylinder.
a) caliber .38
b) bbl length 4"
c) grips shape square
d) number of cylinder 6
e) type of sights fixed front and rear
f) serial number, 270XXX on the bottom of the grip barrel and cylinder
g) number under the crane. 2468
Radagast
Member
hddeluxe:
Your Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1969.
DLLegere:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1916 or 1917. This is the ancestor to todays Model 10 & 64.
Your gun predates heat treatment of cylinders, so I strongly recommend you only shoot standard velocity lead ammunition through it; no PlusP, +P+, jacketed or semi jacketed ammunition. In a worst case scenario you could bulge or crack your cylinder.
Your gun also lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced during World War II. It does have a non positive safety that can fail - a death when a dropped gun fired was the reason for the development of the current safety. If kept loaded it would be prudent to leave the hammer down on an empty chamber.
Valueing without pics is difficult. If it has no more than 65% of its original finish then probably $200-$250 as these are not rare guns. With 95% finish then around $350.
The number 2468 under the crane is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory, it has no meaning once the gun is completed.
Robinette_11B:
Your Model 60 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured during the years 1974-1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000.
Your Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1969.
DLLegere:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1916 or 1917. This is the ancestor to todays Model 10 & 64.
Your gun predates heat treatment of cylinders, so I strongly recommend you only shoot standard velocity lead ammunition through it; no PlusP, +P+, jacketed or semi jacketed ammunition. In a worst case scenario you could bulge or crack your cylinder.
Your gun also lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced during World War II. It does have a non positive safety that can fail - a death when a dropped gun fired was the reason for the development of the current safety. If kept loaded it would be prudent to leave the hammer down on an empty chamber.
Valueing without pics is difficult. If it has no more than 65% of its original finish then probably $200-$250 as these are not rare guns. With 95% finish then around $350.
The number 2468 under the crane is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory, it has no meaning once the gun is completed.
Robinette_11B:
Your Model 60 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured during the years 1974-1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000.
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Radagast
Member
Garman5:
Your Model 19-3 was manufactured in 1969. Serial range for that year was k848782 to k946391.
The Model 19-3 variant was produced from 1967 to 1977.
Your Model 19-3 was manufactured in 1969. Serial range for that year was k848782 to k946391.
The Model 19-3 variant was produced from 1967 to 1977.
Thank you for the info. The gun is almost blued, but is a "very" shiny almost greyish color. Not sure what to call the finish. I can provide pics to make it easier.
Hi radagast,
Fun little Snubby -
a) .38 S&W CTG
b) 2 Inch
c) Round Butt/Grip
d) 5 Shot Cylinder
e) Fixed Sights
f) 260207 ( Butt, and, Cylinder Face )
g) Model number - None
Blue
Left side of Barrel, reads SMITH & WESSON
Right side - 38 S&W CTG
No Texts appear on the top of the barrel Rib.
Fun little Snubby -
a) .38 S&W CTG
b) 2 Inch
c) Round Butt/Grip
d) 5 Shot Cylinder
e) Fixed Sights
f) 260207 ( Butt, and, Cylinder Face )
g) Model number - None
Blue
Left side of Barrel, reads SMITH & WESSON
Right side - 38 S&W CTG
No Texts appear on the top of the barrel Rib.
Radagast
Member
Oyeboten:
One of the last .38 Safety Hammerless 5th models ever manufactured.
Per the Standard Catalog of S&W the serial range ended at 261493 in 1940. The .32 Safety Hammerless was discontinued in 1937, so my gut feeling is that S&Ws first .38 snubby was still trickling out the door at that stage, but not in large numbers. They only sold 41493 guns of this model over 33 years, the introduction of the M&P two inch barrel and the great depression would have slowed sales at the end as well. So my guess is 1937 to 1940.
Yours is the two inch barreled Bicycle Gun, the lack of patent dates on the barrel is normal for that variant, markings should be "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA" on the right side & ".38 S&W CTG" on the left.
The SCSW notes that bicyce guns shipped in the 25xxxx range. It also notes that the last few frames were not completed, but given away as souveniers to employees. As your gun is serial numbered it is unlikely that it was finished as a 'lunch box' gun.
As new in the box your gun would be worth $4000 or so, mint short barreled safety hammerless guns pull in high prices. in the condition it is in I would guess around $700.
One of the last .38 Safety Hammerless 5th models ever manufactured.
Per the Standard Catalog of S&W the serial range ended at 261493 in 1940. The .32 Safety Hammerless was discontinued in 1937, so my gut feeling is that S&Ws first .38 snubby was still trickling out the door at that stage, but not in large numbers. They only sold 41493 guns of this model over 33 years, the introduction of the M&P two inch barrel and the great depression would have slowed sales at the end as well. So my guess is 1937 to 1940.
Yours is the two inch barreled Bicycle Gun, the lack of patent dates on the barrel is normal for that variant, markings should be "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA" on the right side & ".38 S&W CTG" on the left.
The SCSW notes that bicyce guns shipped in the 25xxxx range. It also notes that the last few frames were not completed, but given away as souveniers to employees. As your gun is serial numbered it is unlikely that it was finished as a 'lunch box' gun.
As new in the box your gun would be worth $4000 or so, mint short barreled safety hammerless guns pull in high prices. in the condition it is in I would guess around $700.
