Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

Deus Machina:
It doesn't. If the gun was a first year manufacture, unfired, new in the box with all paperwork then it might reduce the price a little. The L frame S&Ws aren't rare and the stainless steel models are still in production, so they aren't going to increase in price from rarity anytime in the future.
The S&Ws that pull in big bucks tend to be rare, old, or a combination of the two, such as the Registered Magnum and the Triple Lock. In seventy to 110 years your 586 will be in the same age range as those two models, I doubt it will be considered rare even then.
Basically you have a fine working firearm worth $500 to $600 or so. Shooting it a bit won't change that, having the recall modification done won't change it either.

 

[Deus Machina]

Ahh. Well, then I'll head out soon with some Federal .357. If anything will lock it up, Federal primers will do it. If it needs it, I'll send it out. If not, it can wait until I have something else to keep me occupied.

 

[K-Rod]

I just picked this up today for $150. All I know is it's a:

S&W

.22lr

6 shot

6" bbl

# on the bottom of the handle is: K74xxx

I can't seem to find a model number anywhere on this pistol???

http://m1229.photobucket.com/albumv...rI+gk36ROXlNwrWLqrIymx8T4IZmlE+6Rgxf5l0E/3yw=

http://m1229.photobucket.com/albumv...rI+gk36ROXlNwrWLqrIymx8T4IZmlE+6Rgxf5l0E/3yw=

 

[Radagast]

K-Rod:
That's a seven hundred dollar gun to the right buyer. You have a S&W K22 Masterpiece manufactured in 1949. Serial range for that year was K73211 to K84149.
The K22 Masterpiece was S&Ws premium rimfire target revolver and was intended to share dimensions and balance with their K38 & K32 in .38 Special & .32 S&W long.
In 1957 the K22 Masterpiece was designated the Model 17.

 

[K-Rod]

Radagast,

Thank you very much! Who says firearms are not good investments! Kinda makes me scared to shoot it but I will.

Thanks again

 

[K-Rod]

How about this one. It's my brothers. Got it in trade for some plumbing work.

S&W

6 shot

38 special

I believe a 4in bbl

Number on the bottom of the handle is C481xxx

The interesting thing about this pistol is "PPD" is stamped in the handle in front of the S/N? Phoenix PD maybe?

http://m1229.photobucket.com/albumv...rI+gk36ROXlNwrWLqrIymx8T4IZmlE+6Rgxf5l0E/3yw=

 

[Bocody]

Smith Model 19-3

a) 357 Mag.
b) 6"
c) Round grips
d) 6 shot
e) rear adjustable, front fixed
f) A (or a 4) K3053
g) 19-3

 

[Radagast]

K-Rod:
Your brothers gun is a Model 10 .38 Military & Police manufactured in 1961 or 1962. Serial range for those years was C474149 to C622699 so 1961 seems certain.

Bocody:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1973, the serial number is 4K3093.

 

[birdog009]

Radagast,

Thanks for the info on my k38 combat masterpiece. I have another question regarding the box this gun came in from the factory. I understand that it was the gold box from that era with the proper name on the end. My question is did they put a 4 inch gun in a box labeled for a 6 inch gun? I am sorry if this sounds like a foolish question but I had a guy try to sell me a box for my 4 inch K38 made 1951 but the box stated it was a blue 6 inch not 4. He stated that Smith put the 4 inch in a six inch box and sold them. Is this true? I did not by.

2nd question another DOB request.

A) 38
B) 3 1/4
C) stag?
D)5 shot
E) front and rear fixed
F)152621
G) safety hammerless lemon squeezer

Tried to post a picture but cannnot figure it out

 

[devildog70]

Hi everyone. I just recently acquired three S&W 38 Special CTG revolvers, at the passing of my uncle, and would like to know DOB's for them, if possible.

#1:
(blued)
a) caliber - .38
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 4 inches
c) grips shape (round or square) - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - D760xx
g) Model number if it is under the crane. - That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder). - 38 special ctg

#2:
(stainless)
a) caliber - .38
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 4 inches
c) grips shape (round or square) - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - D6404xx
g) Model number if it is under the crane.
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder). - 38 special ctg

#3:
(stainless)
a) caliber - .38
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 3 inches
c) grips shape (round or square) - round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 5
e) type of sights. - fixed
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip - J4571xx
g) Model number if it is under the crane.
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder). - 38 special ctg

Thanks in advance

 

[rainbowbob]

How about the DOB of my recently acquired, oh-so-minty M 19-3?


a) caliber - .38/.357
b) bbl length - 4 inches
c) grips shape (round or square) - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - adjustable
f) serial number, - 9K325XX
g) Model number - 19-3


Thanks...

 

[charlie j]

smith and wesson 44 revolver

I am looking to identify and authenticate an old family Smith and Wesson 44 calibre revolver which has been in our family for at least 50+ years to my knowledge. This gun has a 4 digit number which is difficult to read, but it appears to begin with a star and a 3 on the bottom of the square butt plate.
I would like to know its age, the type of ammunition to buy, and if possible to get some type of letter of authentication from the manufacturer. I would appreciate any information about this gun that anyone could share with me, and then I can lock the gun away for the younger family members to find.

 

[Radagast]

charlie j:
Does the gun have a cylinder that swings out to the side or does the cylinder tilt up when the barrel tilts down?
If a swing out cylinder then its almost certainly a .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the Triple Lock or New Century. Caliber would be .44 S&W Special. and it would date to the period 1907 to 1915.

If a top break (tilt up cylinder) then it could be a Model No 3 1st Model / First Model American manufactured between 1870 & 1872. Caliber would be .44 S&W or .44 Rimfire Henry.

The star on the butt means a factory re-work at some point in the guns life.

For either gun a factory letter would be a good idea, A poor condition American is worth around $500, in excellent condition $8500. Triple Locks don't go so high, but $2500 for an excellent+ condition gun is possible.

I suggest you post some pics in a new thread in the firearms research sub-forum so we can ID the gun correctly.
Don't post the full serial number or a pic of the serial number, that way no crook can claim you have his gun and give the serial number as proof to the police.

 

[Radagast]

rainbowbob:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1976.

 

[Radagast]

devildog70:
Gun number 1 dates to 1968.
Gun number 2 dates to 1973-74, serial range for those years was D510001 to D659901, so 1974 seems certain.
Gun number 3 dates to 1976-77, serial range for those years was J370001 to J610000.

 

[Radagast]

birddog009:
Your .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model dates to the period 1898 to 1907, serial range for those years was 116003 to 220000. This is a black powder gun, I suggest you only shoot black powder or black powder substitute loads through it.

 

[Radagast]

birddog009:
Per the Standard Catalog of S&W, re gold boxes made between 1946 & 1965: "Some guns which it was not planned, at least initially, to manufacture in large numbers did not have their own gold boxes. Instead S&W merely printed alabel and stuck it on the end of a suitable box identifying it. An example of this often seen is a K38 masterpiece box housing a 4" Combat Masterpiece - the box end was labeled as it was originally printed "6-INCH BARREL". For gold boxes the serial number of the gun is generally written in grease pencil on the bottom of the box."

So yes S&W did use the six inch box, but there should be a factory label identifying it as a Combat Masterpiece.

 

[devildog70]

Thanks Radagast. Much appreciated!

 

[rainbowbob]

rainbowbob:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1976.

Cool! That was the year my wife and I were married and the year my son was born. Celebrating 35 years for all of the above.

Thanks!

 

[birdog009]

Radagast,

Thanks for taking the time to look up my firearms, I really appreciate it! Your serivice is very kind.

Birdog009

 

[Cblazew]

.44 mag

Still not sure how to Id mine

 

[robdyoder]

38 special ctg smith and wesson

hey it rob yoder in sunny central illinois. i just inherited this gun and i do know my wife grandfather used this as his gun on the police force in a small town missouri. curious on the dob and value. thanks
smith and wesson 38 special ctg
four in barrel
6 shot revolver
fixed sights
feels like a black swirly ivory handle
c396172 serial
5437 model

 

[Radagast]

robdyoder:
You have a .38 Military & Police Postwar revolver dating to 1954-1956. Serial range for those years was C277555 to C402923.
In 1957 the .38 Miltary & Police was designated the Model 10 and in modifed form remains in production.
Value is highly dependent on condition. $250 to $350 is likely if in excellent condition.

 

[Radagast]

Cblazew:
Post the information requested at the start of this thread. Post a pic. I can't ID your gun without any info.

 

[gathert]

Figured I would share the wealth with some pictures here. Got these two pistols from my grand dad. He kept the big gun in the shop he worked in and kept the small gun at the house. Both are .38 special and in practically perfect condition. Even have the original box for the J frame. The K frame had a nice Bianchi leather police holster with it.

M15-4 serial: 91K7512
M37 serial: J454750