Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

pazsint:
Gun one is a .38/200 British Service Revolver manufactured in 1941 or 1942 for the British Commonwealth. Basically it was a .38 S&W chambered variant of the post war .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change.
The BSRs usually had a 5 inch barrel, but some were made with a 4 inch barrel and surplus guns sold to US civilians after WWII often had the barrel shortened.
Check to see if the gun will chamber .38 Special ammo, if it will then the cylinder was bored out prior to it being sold as surplus. This was quite common in the 50s, but can lead to split cases as the base of the .38 S&W case is wider than the .38 Special case, so the chambers will be over sized. If you have a converted gun stick to standard velocity lead ammo, no jacketed or PlusP. The finish is probably nickel as this was a common part of the process of blinging these old guns up for civilian sale. If it is hard chrome then it is a fairly recent refinish.


Your second gun is a .38 Military & Police Postwar manufactured in the period 1954 to 1956. Serial range for those years was C277555 to C402923. In 1957 this model was designated the Model 10.
 
i just acquired am older 38 tonight.

a) caliber - 38 S&W special Ctg.
b) bbl length - 4"
c) grips shape - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights. - both fixed half moon front
f) serial number- 4857xx
g) Model number - unknown
h) Finish- Blued
 
just picked up a new one was wondering if anybody had any info on it

a) caliber- .38 special
b) bbl length- 4in
c) grips shape-ROUND
d) number of shots/cylinder bores-6
e) type of sights- adj.
f) serial number- CBP678X
g) Model number if it is under the crane- 15-7


thanks in advance
 
LUNDSC00:
Your Model 15-5 Combat Masterpiece is a K frame gun manufactured in 1997.

non2os13:
Your .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured btween 1920 (serial number 358xxx) & 1927 (serial numbers in the 500xxxx range.
Your gun lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944, if dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty. It has a heat treated cylinder, so theoretically it is safe to shoot with PLusP ammo. There have been cases of guns from that era bulging cylinders, so I would forget the theory and stick to lead standard pressure ammo only, no jacketed, semi jacketed, PlusP or +P+.

knighthawk-72:
Your Model 586 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1983. There is a recall on all early Model 586s, with some magnum ammo the primer can flow back into the firing pin hole, locking up the cylinder. If you contact S&W they will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing. If your gun has already been modified there will be an M stamped beside the model number in the cylinder yoke cut out.
 
a) 38 Special
b) 4 inch barrel (pencil barrel)
c) Square butt
d) 6 shots
e) Fixed sights
f) 2270XX serial number
g) Pre-model 10, 5 screw


Thanks!!
 
springfield30-06:
You have a .38 Miltiary & Police Model of 1905 3rd Change manufactured between 1909 & 1915 in the serial range 146900 to 241703.
Your gun predates heat treatment of cylinders to stick to standard velocity lead ammo, no jacketed, PlusP or +P+.
It also lacks the positive internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944, if dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
 
Radagast...first Thank You very much for taking the time to help me on my questions at post #3100 by yours at #3102. Regarding my first gun the 32S&W... it is not re-chambered, and the barrel is shaped correctly for a 4 " and stamped underneath with the right serial number. The gun has a new hard chrome finish, and does have the lanyard boss in the butt, but also has the checkered grips.
Others have suggested it is a pre-war caliber variant of a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change...do these sometimes have the lanyard ? And didn't the lend lease or victory types have plain grips while the checkered grips where sold on retailed guns ?
 
a) .357 Magnum
b) 4"
c) Square butt
d) 6 shots
e) Adjustable
f) N950478
g) Model 28-2

This one looked a little odd, just picked it up yesterday and noticed it had recessed chambers but no barrel pin. Must of been when they were phasing them out? 1980?

2011-04-15_18-56-22_614.gif

Thanks, Radagast :)
 
Robinett_11B:
The N900000 to N97xxxx serial range was used from 1982 to 1986. The 28-3 was introduced in 1982, eliminating both the recessed cylinder and pinned barrel,so theoretically yours is a 1980 to 1982 gun, but it should have a pinned barrel.
According to the Standard Catalog of S&W in 2000 the Performance Center stamped five model 28-2s with their lo0go, these were fitted with recessed cylinders and red ramp front sights. Serial numebr for one of these was N951647.
With the serial number being so close and sharing the recessed cylinder of the PC guns, I'm wondering if your gun actually left the factory over a decade after it was theoretically discontinued.
If you have the cash to spare and the curiosity this one may be worth getting a factory letter from Roy Jinks at S&W.
 
robctwo:
Your Model 15-1 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1961. I use a rag soaked in gun oil and a lot of rubbing to handle light surface rust, I've read of people using 000 steel wool dipped in oil, but I would be worried about marring the surface. I suggest you ask in the gunsmithing subforum for the best solution.
 
pazsint:
In May 1940 the British army had been evacuated from Dunkirk, leaving their equipment behind. In 1940 England was facing invasion, the Battle of Britain was a four month air war in which Germany tried to gain the air superiority needed to launch the invasion.
England was desperate for weapons and bought everything that S&W could produce under a commercial contract. Smooth grips, 5 inch barrels and a parkerised finish later became the norm, but 4 inch barrels, commercial bluing and commercial grips were also shipped during that desperate time. The commercial contract started at around serial number 680000, so your gun falls into that range.
The lanyard ring was a standard item on the British guns, I assume it was also available for special order from the factory for police departments.
I'm not aware of any pre war .38 S&W guns and the Standard Catalog of S&W doesn't mention any.
If you take the grips off and they are original then they should have a grease pencil serial number matching the gun on the inside surface.
I'm confident your gun is a commercial contract British Service Revolver made in 1940. The hard chrome finish ruins its value to a collector, but it should still be a fine shooter.
 
Radagast said:
The N900000 to N97xxxx serial range was used from 1982 to 1986. The 28-3 was introduced in 1982, eliminating both the recessed cylinder and pinned barrel,so theoretically yours is a 1980 to 1982 gun, but it should have a pinned barrel. According to the Standard Catalog of S&W in 2000 the Performance Center stamped five model 28-2s with their logo, these were fitted with recessed cylinders and red ramp front sights. Serial numebr for one of these was N951647. With the serial number being so close and sharing the recessed cylinder of the PC guns, I'm wondering if your gun actually left the factory over a decade after it was theoretically discontinued. If you have the cash to spare and the curiosity this one may be worth getting a factory letter from Roy Jinks at S&W.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the in-depth response, sir. So, you think this example may of been one of the 'blanks' they could of been using for the PC guns? I'm sorry, but I didn't quite understand; what would be the reason it may of shipped a decade after it was manufactured? Is it because these PC guns left then, with the recessed cylinders being a special feature? You've certainly piqued my interest, and while I've never had one of my guns lettered...I think I may just do it with this one. I'll at least post a thread over at the S&W forum and see what those gentlemen may have to say.


Thanks again for taking your time to not only date our guns, but for the extra info you give us as well.

-Rob
 
Radagast. Thanks for the quick reply. I found this gun in my dealer's case this afternoon and he hooked me. The rust is very thin in most places. I'm working it off. Bare metal under some of the spots, hence the rust. Not sure about re-bluing.
 
Robinett_11b:
Yep, serial number close to the PC guns, mix of 28-2 & 28-3 features, it makes me wonder if they were completed much later from a mixture of parts. Let me know if you get any more info from the S&W forum.
 
I picked up a 60-7 the other day in good shape and I was wondering when it was made. I am also curious, since it is stainless, if a few 38 +P rounds would blow it up.

a) .38 spl
b)2" barrel
c) round butt
d) 5 shot
e) fixed front, groove rear
f) BSA8127
g)M 60-7
 
Pic: http://imgur.com/b7yzp

This is mine, it was a present from my father, I dont know much about guns but I got kinda interested in finding out how old this thing is.

From what I see its a model 926

Serial : AM48820
Its a .38?

Like I said, sorry for lack of info, I don't know much about guns, father just really wants to take me out to a shooting range.
 
commercial contract British Service Revolver made in 1940

Radagast
...once again many thanks for the exceptional service !
...on further study in retrospect, I agree you are wholly right. The grips have a punched in 4xx,xxx serial number and likely replaced. The chrome job is superb and will make an excellent parade piece, has seen little in any use. I got it as a basket case for $100, as the seller could not figure out how to get it back together because all the parts have been plated...including the screw threads....anyone have a set of dies ?
By the way do you happen to know the thread on the frame screws, and that of the extractor rod ?

PS..> I VOTE THIS THREAD BE TURNED INTO A STICKY !;)
 
When was my baby born?

a) .357
b) 6"
c) Square
d) 6 shot cylinder
e) adjustable rear sight
f) N502193
g)28-2

Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman w/ target grips. Looks to be unfired. There is not even a turn ring on the cylinder. I was almost inclined to think it was refinished except that the back of the cylinder looks brand new as well. No wear to speak of anywhere. I paid $500 for it; however, lesser examples go for more on gunbroker.
 
rhoggman:
THE N5xxxxx serial range was used between 1978 & 1980. With your serial number being so low in the range 1978 seems certain.

earlthegoat2:
Your Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police tapered barrel was manufactured between 1975 & 1976. Serial range for those years was D750001 to D870000.

pazsint:
Old Fuff is probably your best bet for that info, I suggest you PM him. Otherwise start a new thread in the gunsmithing subforum. This thread is already a sticky.

User32:
Your gun is a Harrington & Richardson (H&R), not a S&W. I don't have a reference book for that brand. I suggest you start a new thread in the firearms research sub forum where Jim Keenan, Jim Watson or Old Fuff will probably give you the correct info. FWIW your gun is chambered for.38 S&W, not .38 S&W Special, ammo is still available, if your gun shop doesn't stock it online retailers such as cheaper tha dirt will.

Darkskeptic:
Your Model 60-7 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured in late 1994 or early 1995, the 90-7 had a heat treatment package and should be fine with PlusP ammo. In 1990 introduced a PlupP rated 3 inch barrel variant, I doubt they kept two sets of cylinders, so I would be confident that your gun is fine with any .38 Special PlusP ammo.
 
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