Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Radagast]

skott:
Unfortunately the Standard catalog of S&W does not give a year by year break down for the Terrier.
The Model 32-1 .38/32 Terrier was introduced in 1961, and by 1969 serial numbers had reached 122678, when the serial numbers received an R prefix. So 1961 to 1969 is the time band.
This can be refined down by design changes. Assuming the grips are original:

If the gun has a flat cylinder release, then 1961 to 1966.
If the gun has a concave cylinder release, and the grips have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws, then 1966 to 1968.
If the gun has a concave cylinder release and grips have checkering up to the grip screws, then 1968 or 1969.

If the gun has sentimental value then for a fee of $50 S&W will have their factory historian research the old shipping records and send you a letter stating where the gun shipped to, in what configuration and on which date.

These letters add value to rare, historical or celebrity linked guns. It won't increase the resale value of a Terrier though, so save your money unless you are truly interested.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Hey Radagast, I just picked up another one.

Smith and Wesson M&P
.38 special
5" barrel
square butt
6 shot
fixed sights
S914598

Once again, I appreciate whatever info you can give me. Thanks.

 

[waidmann]

Hi Radagast,
1905 HE Chg 4, 4" Blue, SB, nonmedallioned walnut, Serial # 407XXX.

As always, thanks.

Waidmann

 

[Radagast]

waidmann:
Closest I can give you is 1921 to 1927. Serial numbers in the 358xxx range shipped in December 1920 and in the 500xxx range in 1927.

forindooruseonly:
Between September 1945 (S811120) & March 1948 (S979924).

Your gun should be a transitional model with the pre war long action and post war internal hammer block.

 

[skeptical_in_Ohio]

My model 10-10

a) caliber - 38 Special
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) Approximately 4 inches
c) grips shape (round or square) Round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores Six
e) type of sights. Looks like a front blade
f) serial number BUJ2***
g) Model number if it is under the crane 10-10, if I understand what correctly what a "crane" is - I'm new to revolvers - the serial number is right above the model number in the same place, fyi.

Pictures may be seen at the following post...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7708383&postcount=5246

I don't think it's anything special (other than it shoots well and looks to be in pretty good shape); I would just like to know a bit more about it since I bought it used (on a "police trade-in" type deal). Thanks much.

 

[kenjoe45]

My 686-1 S&W

I am trying to get a date of manufacture on this revolver. Has 4 in barrel.
S/N AUP8731. Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Radagast]

davesalisbury:
You have a Model 10-10 .38 Military & Police Heavy Barrel.
The -10 refers to the 10th design change since the Model 10 designation was introduced in 1957, although the basic design goes back to 1899.
The sights are fixed, meaning the rear sight is a U notch cut in the top of the frame and not an adjustable blade.
The serial number dates your gun to between August 1994 (BRFxxxx) & January 1996 (CAMxxxx).
The crane is the arm that the cylinder swings out on. Crane is actually Colt terminology, S&W call it the cylinder yoke.
The serial number will be found duplicated on the bottom of the grip. All S&Ws have the serial number on the grip frame, some also have it under the cylinder yoke.
The barrel length is four inches.

kenjoe45:
Between January 1986 (AHCxxxx) & July 1987 (AVBxxxx). Ifd a model 686-1 it is subject to a recall. With some magnum ammo the primer can flow back into the firing pin bushing, locking up the gun.
Under the terms of the recall S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and firing pin bushing. If your gun has been modified there will be an M stamped under the cylinder yoke mear the model number. If you want to take advantage of the recall give S&W a call.

 

[kenjoe45]

My 686-1 does have the M stamped on the yoke just before the 686-1 stamp. Thanks for the information. I take it that my revolver was made in 1986.

 

[Radagast]

Kenjoe45: It falls into the time period I gave, unfortunately the Standard Catalog of S&W does not have complete year to year breakdowns. My guess is early to mid 1987.

 

[tshaw]

.357 magnum
Mod 19-3
6 shot
9k490xx
sqaure grips with a star on the end?
4 inch barrel pinned

 

[imaybail]

Model/Age Inquiry

38 spl.
4 inch barrel (pinned)
plastic grips
round butt

 

[Radagast]

imaybail:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured between 1915 & 1919. This is the ancestor of todays Model 10.
Your gun predates heat treatment of cylinders so stick to lead only standard pressure loads. No Plus P, +P+. jacketed or semi jacketed ammo. Otherwise there is the risk of a bulged or cracked cylinder.
It also predates the positive internal hammer block safety introduced during World War II, so treat it as a five shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty. Otherwise if dropped it could fire.

tshaw:
Your Model 19-3 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1976.
If the star is stamped on the grip frame, not the grips, then it indicates a factory re-work or repair.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I know mine must be near the end of S&W manufacturing this model;
Model 66-7
CJN7953
4" barrel
round butt


TIA

 

[Radagast]

Automatic:
Almost certainly 2005. The Standard catalog of S&W lists serial dates up till October 2004, by which time the serial range had reached CTAxxxx. The Catalog was published in 2006, so it was probably finalised in 2005. It notes that the Model 66 was discontinued in 2005, but does not list the last variant the 66-7 which IIRC was a 2005 model.
Going from the above I would say it's safe to guesstimate 2005.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Thanks for the help.

 

[nater762]

A) .38 Special
B) 5"
C) square
D) 6
E) fixed
F) 675xxx
G) M&P (no model #, just a production one)

Thanks,
Nate

 

[Radagast]

nater762:
Your .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change was manufactured in 1940.

 

[nater762]

Radagast:
Thank you sir!!

 

[Guillermo]

Oh sages of the Smith

what is the DOB of a Model 10-5
C628754?

as always...appreciate you!!!

 

[Radagast]

Grasshopper, Your Model 10-5 was manufactured in 1963.

 

[Guillermo]

(while bowing)

many thanks Sensei

 

[timhernandez]

a) .357
b) 4 in
c) square
d) 6
e) adj
f) ADM902x
g)586

any info most appreciated... Been around a long time, just wondering if I am the original owner or, back in 1985-1986, I got taken for a ride....

 

[Radagast]

timhernandez:
Your Model 586 Distinguished Combat Magnum was manufactured in the last half of 1983.
There is a recall in effect on this model. With some magnum ammo it is possible the primer will flow back into the firing pin bushing, locking up the cylinder. Under the recall S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new firing pin and bushing.
If your gun has been modified already there will be an M stamped near the Model number under the cylinder yoke.
If it hasn't been modified give S&W a call and they will send you a shipping label. Or leave the gun as is if you aren't worried about it.

 

[timhernandez]

Thank You very much, there is no 'M', so I will be calling S&W tomorrow


::update::

Called S&W today,... no bubbles no troubles, they are sending out the shipping info and labels.


+1 to S&W for their professionalism

 

[breeze010]

Tried searching the thread to see if anyone with a serial number close to mine was posted already but couldn't find anything. This gun has been in my family for 20+ years and I'm interested to know a bit more about it:

38 Special snub nose, 5rd cylinder and I believe square grips
Under crane: Mod 60
Serial number: R2006xx

If anyone could provide a rough year/date of manufacture and if it is officially rated for +P rounds or not I would greatly appreciate it. It's in perfect shape and I would feel comfortable shooting today's +P loads in it but curious to know if S&W actually recommends it.

Thank you.