Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

I have a S&W Model 27, .357, 6" barrel that I bought new in 1981. I do not have a picture but it looks like it was bought today. This is not 'fluff'. I am not kidding. I don't have 50 rounds through it. Any ideas on its value?

Thanks,
Franklin
 
100 year old Smith

Thanks for the info, when I shoot that old pistol I use downloaded 158 gr LSWC.
I do worry about the severe wear under the top strap because it appears to cut most of the way through the strap.
Any thoughts--??
 
dpeck:
Some flame cutting of the top strap is not uncommon with magnum revolvers and is usually self limiting - it cuts to a certain depth then stops.
I haven't encountered flame cutting with .38 specials though.

I suggest you take some pics and post them in either the revolver or gunsmithing sub forums. This isn't something I am qualified to advise you on and taking a guess without pics would be foolhardy.
Otherwise you need to take it to a gunsmith (not a gunshop salesman) and have it evaluated.
If it is 'cut most of the way through' don't shoot it until you have better advice than I can give you.
 
fcthompson:
The Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $500 in excellent condition in 2006.
For more up to-date pricing I suggest you look at completed auctions on online auction sites such as Guns America, Auction Arms & Arms Bid.
 
fcthompson:
The Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $500 in excellent condition in 2006.
For more up to-date pricing I suggest you look at completed auctions on online auction sites such as Guns America, Auction Arms & Arms Bid.
 
Robinett-11B:
Your Model 60-7 Chiefs Special Stainless should date to late 1994 or early 1995. Serial numbers in the BRFxxxx serial range shipped in August 1994.
 
XxwinxX94:
Your Model 30-1 .32 Hand Ejector dates to the period 1961 when S&W changed production from the I frame to the J frame at serial number 712954, to 1970 when the serial range ended at 826977.
If the cylinder release is flat then it is a pre-66 gun. If concave a 66 or later gun.
The grips have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws, so it from 1968 or earlier.
The box is a 1966 or earlier box, but may not be original.
So at the moment, 1961-1966, to be confirmed by you checking the cylinder release.

Your mountain gun should be a Model 625-6 if it is in .45 Colt caliber. If so this dates it to 1996.

Your Model 29-4 dates to around April 1989.
 
Robinett_11B:
Your Model 64 .38 Military & Police Stainless dates to 1978 or 1979. Serial range for those years was 1D30001 to 1D45000.
 
I have a S&W model 10 chrome pearl sn 6419XX..it's in 100% condition..the pearl grips fit perfectly but are not marked..What's the mfg date please and approximate value?
 
XxwinxX94:
Definitely 1966-1968, with 1966 likely.

gullydirt:
Your gun should not be marked Model 10, as it is a pre World War II .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1927 & 1930.
S&W did produced pearl grips on special order, these should have a S&W medallion, lacking this they are probably aftermarket grips. Original S&W grips will add value, so it may be work checking to see if the grips are serialised to the gun. If they are the serial number will be on the inner face of the grips.

Price is highly dependent on condition, especially with fancy grips. I suggest you start a new thread in the firearms research sub forum and post some decent photos of both sides of the gun.

Be aware that your gun predate the internal hammer block safety introduced during World War II and it could fire if dropped. It would be prudent to leave the hammer down on an empty chamber if kept loaded.
 
sw2kq.jpg

(more pictures here:http://img39.imageshack.us/g/sw1w.jpg/)

M&P, serial C190171, seller said it was bought in 1954. That sound about right?
(orig thread here)

a) .38 spl
b) 5 in
c) square grips
d) 6-shot
e) half moon sight
f) C190171
g) n/a
 
J-frame

I have a friend who wanted me to find out some info on a J-frame that belonged to his father. I believe it is a model 36.
J-frame
38 special
round butt
1.875" barrel
5 shot
blued- pretty heavy holster wear
ramp front sight(dinged), notched rear sight
serial #30XXX on grip frame, no letters
no model number on yoke cut, there are some numbers and letters
flat latch on side

Thanks
 
Hey Radagast, I've a .44 I'd like to know the DOB on.

Model 29
a) .44 Magnum
b) 4 inch
c) Square
d) 6 shot
e) Adjustable
f) N686420
g) 29-2

Thanks again.
 
forindooruseonly:
The Nxxxxx serial range was used in 1979 & 1980. With a high number such as yours I am inclined to assume 1980.

TSK1975:
Your friend has a Chiefs Special manufactured between 1952 & 1955. There is no model number because model numbers were not introduced until 1957.
Value is not high, in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $265 in good condition. If it has the early small trigger guard that was deleted by 1953 it may be of interest to a collector, but will not command a large premium. Pics would be required to tell if it has the small trigger guard.

MajorMajorMajorMajor:
Your .38 Military & Police (Postwar or Pre-Model 10) falls in the serial range for 1948 to 1951, being C1 to C223998. The grips are correct for that time period.
 
Radagast,
Thanks for the info, it was very helpful. I would say it is has small trigger guard. I compared it to my current J-frame and my finger almost fills the trigger guard. I would guess it is prior to 1953. Once again, thanks.
 
TSJ1975:
The small trigger guard increases the value by 50%, according to the Standard Catalog of S&W, if your friend is loking to sell it his best bet would be the S&W forum, to anyone else its a used chiefs special.

Robinett-11B:
The serial number on your Model 64-2 .38 Military & Police Stainless is 1D56737, not ID56737. It was made in 1979 or 1980, serial range for those years was 1D45001 to 1D99999, so 1979 seems probable.

MajorMajorMajorMajor:
Purists complain about the S&W guns from the 1970s (Bangor Punta ownership and poor quality control) from the 1980s (No pinned and recessed magnums) from the 1990s (MIM parts), and from the 2000s (More MIM parts, clear coat finishes, scandium frames, etc, etc). No one seems to complain about the guns from the 50s. They appear to be the high point of quality control in the S&W regular range, so old or not, its probably a quality gun. The grips are so valuable because many owners dumped the walnut grips for rubber in the 80s and 90s. Now collectors are trying to restore these old guns, so there is a market for the old grips with the diamond around the grip screws.
 
Fascinating info--kind of read my mind as I was surprised about the value of the grips, I sort of knew the significance of the diamond but I figured they wouldn't be worth much since they had some wear and tear. This looks like a gun that has entered and left a holster somewhat often. The stock grips fit really nicely in my hands so I don't think I'd ever swap 'em--might consider adding a T-grip, not sure yet. Thanks again
 
K - Frame
a) caliber .22 LR
b) bbl length 6 inches
c) grips shape square
d) number of shots 6
e) type of sights. rear site - adjustable
f) serial number SK 9132
g) Model number 17-3

thank you .
 
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