Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

Radagast said:
FFStreetDoc:
Nothing special about it, the Model 10-5 .38 Military & Police Tapered Barrel was manufactured from 1962 to 1977, yours dates to 1961 or 62. There are probably close to a million copies of it out there. Value is probably between $250 & $350 depending on condition.
Click to expand...
Radagast

First off i thank you for taking time to provide information! i am confused tho, in looking at prior posts i had figured it to be "mid 70's", i came to this conclusion from one of your prior replies stating "Gun number 2 dates to 1973-74, serial range for those years was D510001 to D659901, so 1974 seems certain." i did read somewhere that S/N are not necessarily in any order, is there something different about my S/N and model that would put the S/N 545242 gun i have in an earlier MFG date range?

Thanks
 
FFStreetDoc:
My mistake, I misread your post as C545xxx not D545xxx. That places your gun as 1973-74, with 1973 being likely.


cyclopsshooter:
Your Model 34 Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun was manufactured in 1959.

Tony_the_tiger:
Your Model 27-2 .357 Magnum was manufactured in 1975 or 1976.
 
a) 38 spc
b) not sure
c) square grips - wood with a diamond around the grip screw
d) 6
e) pinned patridge front sight (I think that is it)
f) K351XXX
g) 14

The barrel is 6 and some change inches.
Thank you in advance!
 
Heres one for you, and thanks in advance!



a) Caliber: .357 Magnum
b) bbl length: 6"
c) grips shape: Not sure
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: Adjustable rear, fixed front
f) serial number: N376725
g) Model number if it is under the crane.: 27-2
 
a) 38 Special CTG
b) bbl, not sure
c)square grip
d) 6 shot
e) ??
F)B369298

trying to find dob and it's value and any other info anyone might be willing to share...thanks in advance :)
396936267.jpg
 
Last edited:
Rookie72:
That serial number is wrong. If there is a B in front of it it should be the number stamped under the barrel. There should be a seperate number stamped on the bottom of the grip frame.
If the number on the grip frame is 369xxx, then you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, probably manufactured in 1921. Serial numbers in the 358xxx range shipped in December 1920, with roughly 15,000 guns a year selling during that period. So 1921 seems very likely.
If this is the case your gun has a heat treated cylinder, so it should be safe with any standard pressure factory ammunition. As there have been reports of bulged cylinders with guns from that era I would avoid PlusP, definitely avoid jacketed PlusP and really really avoid +P+ rated ammo in it.
Your gun has the old 'long action' which was replaced after WWII with the current 'short' action. The long action was noted for being very smooth in double action.
Your gun lacks the modern positive hammer block safety introduced during World War II. If dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber uinder the hammer empty.
The grips are aftermarket, the finish is very worn and may not be original. The front sight appears to have been ground down to match the 1950s style of sight.
In that condition value is only as a shooter, probably between $150 & $250.

If there is a V prefix to the serial number then you have a World War II Victory Model manufactured between 1941 & 1943. All of the above applies, other than the ammunition caveat. It should be safe to fire with PlusP. Still avoid +P+ as there is no industry standard for +P+ ammunition.
 
Tony the tiger:
Your Model 27-2 .357 Magnum falls into the 1975/76 period. I'm guessing from the relatively high serial number that 1976 is more likely.
 
I just found this sticky.............

3 guns
M66-1 4" S.S. 108K040 .357
M10-5 2" Blue 08579 .38
M15-3 4" Blue 6K23611 .38

any age date would be GREATLY APPRECIATED
 
My wife acquired this one from her Father. We would love any info you have. Thanks in advance.

a) .38 caliber
b) 4 inch bbl length
c) square grips
d) 6 shot
e) fixed front adj rear
f) 20K545x
g) Model number 15-4
The crane also has 2 numbers C12 and 58228

Sent with my Samsung Intercept using Tapatalk
 
Just got a 65-3

I would like help dating my revolver.


a) .357 Magnum
b) 3"
c) ROUND BUTT
d) 6
E) MODEL 65-3
f) ans9184 on the butt
43641 inside by the model number

Any help would be appreciated. I'm new to the revolver world. Hopefully I can go shoot it in the a.m.
 
Novaman6474:
Your Model 65-3 .357 Military & Police Heavy Barrel Stainless was manufactured Between January 1986 (serial AHCxxxx) & July 1987 (serial AVBxxxx). 43641 is an assembly number used to track fitted parts in the factory. It has no meaning after the gun is completed.

Kb0zos:
Your wife's Model 15-4 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1977. The K in the serial number indicates it is a K (medium) frame, adjustable sight revolver. The numbers under the crane are assembly numbers used to track fitted parts in the factory. Thety have no meaning after the gun is completed.

bdb benzino:
Your Model 19-7 Combat Magnum was manufactured in late 1997. Serial numbers in the CBNxxxx range shipped in August and in the CCDxxxx range in October of that year.

Steve H:
Model 66-1 Combat Magnum Stainless: 1981.
Model 10-5 .38 Miltary & Police Tapered Barrel was produced between 1962 & 1977. If the serial number is D8579 then 1968. M&P revolvers from that era had either a C or a D prefix. The number under the cylinder yoke is not always the serial number, often it is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory. Check on the bottom of the grip frame. If you have rubber grips you may have to take them off.
Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece: 1974.
 
Thank you so much for the research. I thought it looked similar to the M&P's but did not realize it was a Combat Masterpiece. Any reason they don't inscribe these names on the guns?

Sent with my Samsung Intercept using Tapatalk
 
No reason. In fact marking of names had neither rhyme nor reason to its application.
Ladysmith revolvers usually have a Ladysmith logo, Airweight revolvers often, but not always have an airweight logo,
The Model 29 was originally The .44 Magnum, so having .44 Magnum on the barrel was probably both a name and a caliber designation. Ditto the Model 27 was originally The .357 Magnum.
The Model 28 always had Highway Patrolman on the barrel, the .38 Regulation Police was so marked, the .32 Regulation Police just had the caliber on the barrel.
AFAIK none of the K frame guns had a name on them.

After 1957 all S&Ws had a model number stamped under the cylinder yoke and this became the standard for designating them.
In brief:
Model 10 = .38 Military & Police
Model 11 = .38/200 Miltary & Police / British Service Revolver
Model 12 = .38 Military & Police Airweight
Model 13 = .357 Military & Police Heavy Barrel
Model 14 = K38 Target Masterpeice
Model 15 = K38 Combat Masterpiece
Model 16 = K32 Masterpiece
Model 17 = K22 Masterpiece
Model 18 = K22 Combat Masterpiece
Model 19 = .357 Combat Magnum
Model 20 = .38/44 Heavy Duty
Model 21 = Model of 1950 .44 Military or Model 21-4 Thunder Ranch Special
Model 22 = Model of 1950 .45 Military or Model 21-4 Thunder Ranch Special
Model 23 = .38/44 Outdoorsman
Model 24 = Model of 1950 .44 Special Target
Model 25 = The 1955 Model .45 Target Heavy Barrel
Model 26 = The 1950 Model .45 Target Light Barrel
Model 27 = The .357 Magnum
Model 28 = The Highway Patrolman
Model 29 = The 44 Magnum / The Silhouette / The .44 Classic and others
Model 30 = .32 Hand Ejector
Model 31 = .32 Regulation Police
Model 32 = .38/32 Terrier
Model 33 = .38 Regulation Police
Model 34 = Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun
Model 35 = Model of 1953 .22/32 Target
Model 36 = .38 Chiefs Special
Model 37 = .38 Chiefs Special Airweight
Model 38 = Bodyguard Airweight
Model 40 = Centennial
Model 42 = Centennial Airweight
Model 43 = 1955 .22/32 Kit Gun Airweight
Model 44 = .22 Miltary & Police
Model 48 = K22 Masterpiece Magnum Rimfire
Model 49 = Bodyguard
Model 50 = .38 Chiefs Special Target
Model 51 = .22/32 Kit Gun Magnum Rimfire
Model 53 = .22 Centerfire Magnum / The Jet
Model 56 = KTX-38 USAF (Basis for the Model 15-2)
Model 57 = .41 Magnum Target
Model 58 = .41 Magnum Military & Police
Model 60 = .38 Chiefs Special Stainless / .357 Chiefs Special Stainless
Model 63 = 1977 .22/32 Kit Gun Stainless
Model 64 = .38 Military & Police Stainless
Model 65 = .357 Military & Police Heavy Barrel Stainless
Model 66 = .357 Combat Magnum Stainless
Model 67 = .38 Combat Masterpiece Stainless
Model 68 = .38 Special California Highway Patrol
Model 73 = .38 Special "C" Frame
Model 242 = .38 Special Airlight Ti Centennial L frame
Model 296 = .44 Special Airlight Ti Centennial L frame
Model 317 = .22 Airlite Revolver
Model 325PD = .45 ACP Airlite Sc
-----
Enough typing for tonight. I'll try and finish the list tomorrow.
 
Just inherited a S&W

would like to learn the year it was made as well as a ballpark value, if possible. Thanks!

a) .38
b) approximately 2.25"
c) square grip
d) five, on the cylinder, the letter "N" is stamped between two of the chambers
e)
f) The s/n # is 64387 which is very clearly engraved, but below the serial number there's also a stamp that's not so clear, but, it looks to be 010 or C10.
g) There are no markings in any of the places mentioned, except under the barrel, it is stamped with the letter "N"

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
 
landmark54:
A five shot gun with a Serial number of 64387 and no model number could be one of two models:
If .38 S&W with an exposed hammer, then it is a .38/32 Terrier manufactured between 1951 & 1957.
If .38 Special with an exposed hammer then it is a .38 Chiefs Special manufactured between 1952 & 1955.

Please check that the serial number is the same on the bottom of the grip frame. Numbers marked under the cylinder yoke are not always serial numbers, often they are assembly numbers used to track parts in the factory.

In 2006 the pre model number Terrier was worth around $325 in very good condition. A premodel number Chiefs Special was about the same. For more current prices have a look on gunsamerica.com or gunbroker.com
 
Last edited:
Give me a birthdate Please

S&W___Model 19-5
Four inch barrel
Blue finish
K frame, square butt
TT, TH, WO, T Grips
Six shot
Serial #AAS9018
 
38 special
5 shot
2¨barrel
round butt
Nickel
fixed sights
J881xxx
Model 38 shrouded hammer airweight


.357 magnum
4¨barrel
adjustable rear, red ramp front
6 shot
19-3
Square butt
9k57xxx

Thanks for the date!
 
CheffJeff1:
Your Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight was manufactured in 1981.
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1976.
 
Heres another for you, and thanks in advance!



a) Caliber: .38 Special
b) bbl length: 3"
c) grips shape: maybe round, but look like custom S&W grips
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 5
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: 27895
g) Model number if it is under the crane.: 36-1

Craig
 

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