Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
helilogger
Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2011
- Messages
- 4
.38 S&W 2inch s 934 it has a w7 under the arm
Radagast
Member
Cool Aide:
No photos are showing.
What is the serial number? This is located on the bottom of the grip frame.
Does the cylinder tilt up or swing out to the side?
Is there an external hammer that can be thumb cocked or does the back of the gun have an enclosed hump and a grip safety?
Answer the above and I can ID it.
heliliogger:
That serial number is incomplete. Did you take it from the underside of the grip or from inside the cylinder yoke? Often there are numbers under the yoke that have no meaning, they were assembly numbers used to track incomplete parts in the factory. W7 is definitely an assembly number.
The serial number is always found on the bottom of the grip frame. Sometimes it is duplicated under the yoke, but not always. Post the serial number & I can ID the gun.
No photos are showing.
What is the serial number? This is located on the bottom of the grip frame.
Does the cylinder tilt up or swing out to the side?
Is there an external hammer that can be thumb cocked or does the back of the gun have an enclosed hump and a grip safety?
Answer the above and I can ID it.
heliliogger:
That serial number is incomplete. Did you take it from the underside of the grip or from inside the cylinder yoke? Often there are numbers under the yoke that have no meaning, they were assembly numbers used to track incomplete parts in the factory. W7 is definitely an assembly number.
The serial number is always found on the bottom of the grip frame. Sometimes it is duplicated under the yoke, but not always. Post the serial number & I can ID the gun.
Radagast
Member
El Loco:
You have a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1963. Occasionally a gun left the factory without the model stamping. Looks like yours was one of them.
You have a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1963. Occasionally a gun left the factory without the model stamping. Looks like yours was one of them.
flying2275
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1
Got a few.
a: 38 spcl
b: 6"
c: square
d: 6 shot
e: fixed
f: C387XXX
g: .38 M&P aka Pre-Model 10,
a: 38 spcl
b: 2"
c: Round
d: 5 shot
e: fixed
f: 680XXX
g: Model 36 no dash
a: 38 spcl
b: 2"
c: Square
d: 5 shot
e: fixed
f: 559XXX
g: Model 36 no dash
a: 44 Magnum
b: 8 3/8"
c: square
d: 6 shot
f: AED8XXX
g: 28-3
Thanks!!
a: 38 spcl
b: 6"
c: square
d: 6 shot
e: fixed
f: C387XXX
g: .38 M&P aka Pre-Model 10,
a: 38 spcl
b: 2"
c: Round
d: 5 shot
e: fixed
f: 680XXX
g: Model 36 no dash
a: 38 spcl
b: 2"
c: Square
d: 5 shot
e: fixed
f: 559XXX
g: Model 36 no dash
a: 44 Magnum
b: 8 3/8"
c: square
d: 6 shot
f: AED8XXX
g: 28-3
Thanks!!
Radagast
Member
flying 2225:
.38 Military & Police Post War dates to 1954-56. Serial range for that period was C277555 to C402923.
Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to 1962-1969. Serial range was 295000 to 786544. If the cylinder release is flat, then 1962-66. If concave then 1966-69.
If ythe grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1968 or early. If no diamond then 1968 or 69.
The .44 Magnum should be a Model 29-3 and dates to 1984.
.38 Military & Police Post War dates to 1954-56. Serial range for that period was C277555 to C402923.
Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to 1962-1969. Serial range was 295000 to 786544. If the cylinder release is flat, then 1962-66. If concave then 1966-69.
If ythe grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1968 or early. If no diamond then 1968 or 69.
The .44 Magnum should be a Model 29-3 and dates to 1984.
Radagast
Member
.45Guy:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change. It lacks the positive hammer block safety and should be treated as a five shooter with the chamber under the hammer left empty.
Serial numbers between 500000 & 630000 shipped between 1927 & 1930. Allowing for a drop in sales from 1929 with the onset of the great depression 1928/29 is most likely.
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change. It lacks the positive hammer block safety and should be treated as a five shooter with the chamber under the hammer left empty.
Serial numbers between 500000 & 630000 shipped between 1927 & 1930. Allowing for a drop in sales from 1929 with the onset of the great depression 1928/29 is most likely.
wlewisiii
Member
Good Evening,
My wife took a shine to an old top break S&W & I'm curious to know just how elderly it really is.
a) .32 S&W
b) 3 1/2"
c) Brown plastic (?) with S&W medalion at top. Round butt.
d) 5
e) Fixed. Half mood front, notched v on latch.
f) 40937
Thanks!
My wife took a shine to an old top break S&W & I'm curious to know just how elderly it really is.
a) .32 S&W
b) 3 1/2"
c) Brown plastic (?) with S&W medalion at top. Round butt.
d) 5
e) Fixed. Half mood front, notched v on latch.
f) 40937
Thanks!
olde-dawg
Member
Radagast; now you have me going down memory lane. I got my 3rd. grade report card in 1957. How time flies.....
Radagast
Member
wlewisiii:
If a single action with a spur trigger:
.32 Single Action manufactured between 1878 & 1892 in the serial range 1 to 97574.
If a double action with exposed hammer:
.32 Double Action 3rd Model manufactured in 1882 or 1883 in the serial range 22173 to 43405.
If a double action with internal hammer and grip safety:
.32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model manufactured between 1888 & 1902 in the serial range 1 to 91417.
All of the above are black powder firearms. Modern smokeless ammo is loaded to the same maximum pressure as blackpowder but has a much faster burn rate and pressure peak, stressing the gun. Either use blackpowder or a blackpowder substitute or expect the gun to wear out quickly. The first two variants lack a hammer block safety and could fire if dropped, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
The grips are vulcanised (hard) rubber and usually came in black, with some red ones also made.
New parts are no longer available and there are few gunsmiths able to work on them, so I would refrain from dryfire and limit live fire.
If a single action with a spur trigger:
.32 Single Action manufactured between 1878 & 1892 in the serial range 1 to 97574.
If a double action with exposed hammer:
.32 Double Action 3rd Model manufactured in 1882 or 1883 in the serial range 22173 to 43405.
If a double action with internal hammer and grip safety:
.32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model manufactured between 1888 & 1902 in the serial range 1 to 91417.
All of the above are black powder firearms. Modern smokeless ammo is loaded to the same maximum pressure as blackpowder but has a much faster burn rate and pressure peak, stressing the gun. Either use blackpowder or a blackpowder substitute or expect the gun to wear out quickly. The first two variants lack a hammer block safety and could fire if dropped, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
The grips are vulcanised (hard) rubber and usually came in black, with some red ones also made.
New parts are no longer available and there are few gunsmiths able to work on them, so I would refrain from dryfire and limit live fire.
Radagast
Member
olde-dawge: Sure does. I've turned into my father. I've even started complaining about the music kids listen to these days. 
Radagast
Member
El Loco:
Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to 1962-1969. Serial range was 295000 to 786544. If the cylinder release is flat, then 1962-66. If concave then 1966-69.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1968 or early. If no diamond then 1968 or 69.
If it says airweight on the barrel then it is a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight.
Occasionally a gun left the factory without the model stamping. Looks like yours was one of them.
Model 36 Chiefs Special dates to 1962-1969. Serial range was 295000 to 786544. If the cylinder release is flat, then 1962-66. If concave then 1966-69.
If the grips are original and have an uncheckered diamond around the grip screws then 1968 or early. If no diamond then 1968 or 69.
If it says airweight on the barrel then it is a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight.
Occasionally a gun left the factory without the model stamping. Looks like yours was one of them.
Radagast
Member
Tex62:
Your Model 14-3 K38 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1970.
Your Model 14-3 K38 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1970.
excavatoree
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2012
- Messages
- 3
can anyone give me a rough idea of how old my model 19-3 is?
Introduction post, with picture
The serial number is: 4K79xxx
Introduction post, with picture
The serial number is: 4K79xxx
Radagast
Member
excavatoree:
Your Model 19 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1974.
Your Model 19 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1974.
Elm Creek Smith
Member
I have a former Tulsa Police Department issue L-Frame for which I would appreciate getting a date of manufacture.
a) .357 Magnum
b) 4 inches
c) Square butt
d) 6 shot
e) Fixed
f) AAE39xx
g) Model 681 (with an M)
Additionally, it has "TPD 7XX" on the left side of the frame under the cylinder window.
Of course, it was wearing Pachmayr Grippers when I got it. The Crimson Trace grips make it my wife's house gun.
Thanks.
ECS
a) .357 Magnum
b) 4 inches
c) Square butt
d) 6 shot
e) Fixed
f) AAE39xx
g) Model 681 (with an M)
Additionally, it has "TPD 7XX" on the left side of the frame under the cylinder window.
Of course, it was wearing Pachmayr Grippers when I got it. The Crimson Trace grips make it my wife's house gun.
Thanks.
ECS
Last edited:
Smithsnubs
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 7
Year of manufacture
A truly nice find, the 357 distinguished service magnum
this particular one was made early in 1982
A truly nice find, the 357 distinguished service magnum
this particular one was made early in 1982
Elm Creek Smith
Member
Thanks! It was given to me by my former next door neighbor. This is really cool because my Model 13-3 dates to late 1982 and my Model 37 dates to 1982 as well!
ECS
ECS
Smithsnubs
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 7
Very nice, cant beat a free gun, haha starting a collection from 82,thats funny because I have a 19_5 that was made in 82, but your not adding that to your collection, haha
If there are any others I can help ya with just let me know
If there are any others I can help ya with just let me know
