Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

Joe in fla:
Your Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman was manufactured between 1969 & 1972. Serial range for those years was N1 to N99999, so late 1971 or 1972 seems likely.

 

[Radagast]

The canidian:
Ruger Single Six serial ranges should be here:
http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory.html#

You may have to go through the various variants to find yours. I agree with you that they are fantastic fun to shoot and I still regret mine 7 years later.

 

[Radagast]

The canidian:
If its marked RG Industries its pre 1986, US made. In 1986 they went broke as a result of a product liability law suit.
If marked Rohm then its Pre 1968 and West German made. In 1968 the Gun Control Act banned further importation.

I've no idea as to serial number break downs by year, as the company is out of business the only organisation likely to have thay info is the BATF.

 

[s77bubba]

a: .357 magnum
b: 6" barrel
c: square grip
d: 6 shot
e: adjustable sights
f: 2K72XX
g: Model 19-3

Just joined, this is my first revolver and love it so far. Thanks in advance

 

[Radagast]

s77bubba:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1970.

 

[KingMedicine]

Can ya look up a S&W for me?

15-3
Blued
4 inch barrel
6 shot .38
6K53XXX

 

[JohnJack]

Here goes:
19-5
a. .357 mag
b. 4"bbl
c. sq. butt
d. 6 rnd
e. target sights
f. ACR9XXX

Formerly of Hershey, Landisville

 

[Oyeboten]

Hi Radagast,


No Model designation inside the Crane.
a. .38 S&W Ctg
b. 2" bbl
c. Rd. Butt
d. 5 rnd
e. Fixed Sights
f. 55792


Appears to be Factory Nickel, with a light re-nickel over the original Nickel...if deteriorated somewhat. Hammer and Trigger show Case Hardening colors.

Mechanically seems excellent and snug. Rifling is deep and sharp.

Serial Nos. match on Barrel, Cylinder, underside of Blue Ejector Star, and, on Butt.





Cylinder release part is Blue and I am sure is not original to the Revolver.

I will see if I can find an old Nickel one to install in it's place. I Imagine these shared the same release as the .32s (?)

 

[Radagast]

KingMedicine:
Your Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1974. Serial range for that year was 5k73963 to 6k58917.

JohnJack:
Your Model 19-5 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1983.

 

[Radagast]

Oyeboten:
I see you've scratched your .38 S&W itch.

You have a Postwar .38/32 Terrier, the post war serial range started at 54474 in 1948, I would assume your gun is from 1948 or early 1949, unfortunately the SCSW doesn't give a year to year breakdown for this model. It's definitely a pre 1953 gun as it is the original 5 screw I frame, not the 4 screw improved I frame.

 

[Oyeboten]

Thanks Radagast!


It is kind of a Dog, but, a very friendly one with a Waggle-Tail.

Carried lots and shot little...far as I can tell.

I have a period Ankle Holster somewhere here, Straps-n-Buckle era, which this will likely fit into just fine.

 

[Slammers]

New member and just found this thread. I have wondered when this gun was made for years. a-38 special: b-2": c-round: d-5 shot: e-fixed sights: f-6025xx: g-model 37

 

[Radagast]

slammers:
You have a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight Serial range for that period was 295000 to 786544.
If the cylinder release latch is flat, then 1966 or earlier.
If the cylinder release latch is concave, then 1966 or later.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws, the 1968 or earlier.
If the grips are original and the checkering goes up to the grip screws, then 1968 or later.

Avoid use of PlusP or +P+ marked ammunition in this gun. I have read of cases of the aluminum frame stretching or the gun going out of time in less than 100 rounds. The general opinion is shoot standard pressure loads for practise, shoot one cylinder full of +P for familiarisation and carry it loaded with +P.
Don't use any +P+ marked ammo, as there is no industry pressure standard for this.

 

[Slammers]

Radagast- I have a newly purchased Model 642 that I have yet to shoot +P ammo through. Is it really a no-brainer that you should keep it loaded with +P rounds. Some people's comments about the recoil have me wondering about follow up shots. Guess I won't know until I try some... Looks like my 37 is a 1968 or newer model. Thanks for your info and your comments.

 

[Radagast]

Slammers:
+P is only 10% over industry maximum pressure. Of course, standard pressure loads may be well below industry maximum, for example target wad cutter loads.

Personally I always found +P controllable in all steel J frame, but I've never tried them in an airweight. Since 1996 the 642 has been manufactured on the slightly larger J magnum frame and has been rated for PlusP .38 special.

 

[jbisky]

s&w 10-6 date of production

was wondering the date of production on this s&w 10-6..4inch blued serial#DA 472xx.thanks

 

[Radagast]

jbisky:
The Model 10-6 .38 Military & Police Heavy Barrel never had a DA prefix, it had a D prefix Between 1968 & 1977.
If your serial number is D472xx then it dates to 1968, serial range was D1 to D90000.
If your serial number is D4472xx (mis-reading a 4 as an A is possible) then it dates to 1972-73, serial range for those years was D420001 to D500000.

 

[jbisky]

thank you. it definitly reads d472.

 

[TheGent]

.38 spl.
4" Barrel
Square Butt
6 Shot
Fixed Sights
9D52017
Model 10-7

Thank you for the help.

 

[WCMeyers]

I would appreciate some help with D.O.B. of my father's revolver He purchased it used 04JUN1957:

Manufacturer: SMITH & WESSON - MADE IN U.S.A.
Caliber: 38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG
Barrel Length: 6 inch
Finish: Nickel Plate
Grips: Not original but I have been told they were square.
Capacity: Six Shots
Rear Sight: Fixed (machined into frame)
Front Sight: Fixed (half-moon?)
Serial Number (from bottom of grip): S 987334 (matches barrel & cylinder)
Number Under Crane: Y 70237
Right-Side Access Plate: Four Screws

Thank you,
Bill

 

[Barkoff]

S&W Model66

Hello, can I get a S&W 66 2-1/2 dated, thank you.

85k3***

Also a S&W 48-2, 6k27**

Thank you.

 

[Barkoff]

This thread is just a wealth of info, thank you.

The top revolver in this pic is my father's old duty gun which he retired after a shoot-out in which he was wounded and the perp killed back in I believe, 1964.

Can I get this K-38 dated? 477** Thank you.

 

[Radagast]

TheGent:
Your Model 10-7 .38 Military & Police Tapered Barrel was maufactured in 1982.

WCMeyers:
Your father's post war .38 Military & Police was almost certainly manufactured in 1948. Serial number S990184 with the new 'short action' hammer still used today shipped April 7 1948. That should make your gun one of the last transitional models with the new internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944 and the old long action hammer. FWIW the long action is generally considered superior to the short action in terms of double action trigger pull.

 

[Radagast]

Barkoff:
Your Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1980.
Your Model 48 K22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire was manufactured in 1974.
The serial number for your fathers K38 Combat Masterpiece is incorrect, you are quoting an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. The serial number will have a K in it or as a prefix and will be found on the bottom of the grip frame. You will need to remove the target grips to see it.

 

[oxide80]

trying to figure out the age of this revolver, anyhelp is appreciated. Below is a link to a picure of it on thise forum.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=568752

model 586
a. .357 mag
b. 6"bbl
c. sq. butt
d. 6 round
e. adjustable rear site
f. adz72XXX

Thanks for any help!