Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[fausto]

Hello from Genova Italy!I've been lurking around here for a month and this is my first post.
I've purchased this one today. Paid 200 euros for it (at the exchange rate is roughly 260 usd) but in real life terms is like paying 200 usd in the US. At this price I couldn't let it go

The pictures are still the ones from the dealer website.

Sports a 4 inches tapered barrel, clearly says on its side 38 S&W special ctg
Serial number on butt says: V478445, under the barrel V478445P, on cylinder face 478445 V S P
Markings on top of barrel: smith&wesson springfield mass. usa - patented feb.6.06.sept.14.09.dec.29.14
lanyard ring removed from butt, nice dark blueing (not parkerized), grips are marked with serial number on the inside.

Can you gentlemen pls help with some info on this old lady? I know it a M&P Victory series but I would like to know if the S and P markings on the cylinder face mean something and to narrow down the prodution period. I know from the italian benchproof marks that it was imported in Italy in 66 (my year of birth BTW).
Thank in advance for any help
Fausto

 

[oasis618]

I don't have this in my possession right now so no photos and if I asked him round or square but he wouldn't have a clue what to tell me but...

a. S&W .38 Special
b. 4"-6" (again I can't see the gun)
c. Fixed sights
c. Serial # 786595

It also has FTR/MA55 which I have discovered means that is was "Factory Thorough Refurbished" by Munitions Australia in Lithgow which of course means it was built prior to 1955. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Radagast]

oasis618:
1941 or 1941. that falls into the correct time period for a .38 S&W British Service Revolver. Barrel length should be 5 inches in that case.
A lot of BSRs were modified after the war to take .38 Special by drilling out the chambers. Because the .38 S&W Special case head is narrower than the .38 S&W case head firing .38 specials in a modified gun may result in bulged brass. For this reason you should stick to standard pressure loads only, no PlusP, +P+, jacketed or semi jacked, if the gun is modified.

It's possible that it is an original .38 special; although Australia issued .38 S&W as our standard cartridge during WWII, there were a lot of Americans stationed here and a lot of munitions supplied by the USA.
If there is a V in front of the serial number and it has a four inch barrel then its more likely to be a US issue .38 S&W Special Victory Model, manufactured in 1944.
As Australia's army tended to hang on to old war stocks (we sold off our Lee Enfields in the 1980s, 20 years after they were withdrawn from service) I'm inclined to believe it isn't modified and sat in an armoury from 1955 until sold out of service.

fausto:
Almost certainly 1943, but it may fall a little to either side of that year.
I can't say what the S&P markings are, I do know that quite a few S&Ws have had an S stamping on the yoke or cylinder over the years. It's actually meaning I cant say.

 

[fausto]

@ Radagast: thanks a lot!
Would you have any good reading to recommend on S&W in general?
Fausto

 

[Geezer Glide]

I have a nickel 2 inch Model 10, no dash, SN C5470XX. It does have a pinned barrel but I don't think it is old enough to be a no dash model 10. It does not have the screw at the top of the side plate. Any help on this one?

 

[Florey55]

DOB required

Need DOB for a Smith & Wesson Model 67 that I have just purchased, unfired.

It's serial number is SK62924.

4" barrel, stainless steel adjustable sights.

Thank you.

 

[Radagast]

Florey55:
Serial no is actualy 5K62924. Your Model 67 Combat Masterpiece Stainless was manufactured in 1973. Nice catch, I've yet to find one of the early tapered barrel 67s here in OZ.

Geezer Glide:
1961 or 1962 for your Model 10 Military & Police Tapered Barrel , serial range for those years was C474149 to C622699, so 1962 seems likely. The 10-2 replaced the 10 no dash in 1961, with the extractor rod thread being changed from right hand to left hand.
If the thread is correct for the 10 no dash then I'm inclined to think it was still a 1962 gun, with some old parts being used up. If the thread is correct for the -2 then someone failed to stamp the model number correctly, a not unknown happening.

fausto:
Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition by Supica & Nahas, published by Gun Digest Books is the reference I use for 95% of the answers given in this thread. WWW.SMITH-WESSONFORUM.COM is also a great source of info, there are members of the S&W colletors association posting there, so the level of info is good.

 

[fausto]

thanks again, will look for it!
F

 

[Grmlin]

I have three S&W I inherited trying to get a general idea of the manufacture date.

1.
a. .357
b. 4"
c. square
d. 6 shot
e. front-fixed blade, rear-adjustabe
f. K 2622XX
g. model: ?

2.
a. 22 LR
b. 2"
c.
d. 6
e. front-fixed blade, rear-adjustable
f. 265XX
g. model ?

3.
a. 22 LR
b. 6"
c. rounded
d. 6 shot
e. front-fixed blade, rear-adjustable
f. 446XX
g. Model 34


Thank you.

 

[Florey55]

Thanks Radagast. The 67 is coming from Germany and is unfired.

 

[Radagast]

Grmlin:
Gun one is a .357 Combat Magnum manufactured in 1955. In 1957 this was designated the Model 19.

Gun two is a Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun manufacturted between 1953 & 1957. If there is a screw in the top right of the side plate behind the cylinder then 1953-1955. If no screw then 1955-57. Ths gun was designated the Model 34 in 1957. It is built on the Improved I frame, modern aftermarket grips are usually for the J frame and will not fit.

Gun three is a Model 34 Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun manufactured between 1957 & 1960. In 1960 the change over to the larger I frame occurred at serial number 70000, so I think 1958 is likely. The six inch barrel was likely a special order item as the Model 34 was catalogued in 2 & 4 inch barrels.

All three of your guns have the original 'diamond' grips. If you swap them out put thern aside as they will enhance resale value to a collector.

Florey55:
Are there any more?
Are you going through a particular dealer in Germany and are there any paperwork hoops to jump through at that end?
I work for a dealer in OZ so handling this end is easy for me. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any advice to give.

 

[Florey55]

PM incoming

 

[FreddyKruger]

me again can you check out this one for me?

CDZ1099
S&W 686 6"

i suppose you might have seen it on usedguns.com.au? its "as new. unfired" apparently...

 

[Radagast]

Freddy Kruger:
Early 2000. That makes it a 686-5. so it lacks the internal lock. If the cylinder face is perfectly clean then the gun has been cleaned, S&W test fire them at the factory.
Still the price is relatively attractive for an as new in box gun, very good condition 686s seem to go for around $750. Of course, a new gun is around $1000, so you aren't saving a huge amount.
And yes, I did see that one on Used Guns.

 

[1fromtheparapet]

K38 pre15?

Good morning- I'm brand new to the forum. New to joining forums, too (search and read them often. THR seems to be among the most knowledgeable and civilized which is why I joined here first. Been an on and off shooter for 40 years, since I was a kid. Among others I have my Dad's S&W K38 I think he bought new in Norfolk when he was in the Navy, Korean era (fairly sure the gun is a “pre-15”). It was his only handgun that I know of and he didn't shoot it much, so I don't either (I have a G19 for the weekly 100 rounds of regular therapy sessions). He did clean it a lot, though. It really is just plain easy to shoot well and it's by far the prettiest revolver I have and put maybe a dozen rounds through it every 3-4 months. I don’t own a pile of firearms—a baker’s dozen or so. But I've become curious about its pedigree specifics. (I'd never sell it so $ value isn't an issue).

I know there are a number of you here that are very revolver savvy so if someone could give me some dates/details on it I’d appreciate it much? Here are some specifics that I do know (forgive me if this has been addressed somewhere already. I didn't find it):

K frame/6 shot
4" barrel (pinned)
5 screw
target sights
wide hammer spur
wide trigger paddle (actually an attachment, secured with allen set screws. Haven't found another example of that anywhere yet)
square butt with oversized checkered target(?) grips (butt strap stamped “K 1020XX”)

Don't know what else to note. Any help? Thanks in advance.

PS- "New to forums" means relatively clueless as to how the community actually functions. Grateful for any aid in navigation (let me know if this was posted in the right place).

 

[Radagast]

Posted in the right place and the right thread.

You have a Pre-Model 15 (assuming a tapered barrel and sloping front sight) K38 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1950. If the barrel is straight cut (heavy barrel) and the sight is square cut (Patridge style) then you have a very rare Pre model 14 K38 Target Masterpiece with a factory 4 inch barrel or more likely a six inch version that a gunsmith has cut back.
Model numbers were not introduced until 1957.
The trigger attachment is called a trigger shoe. The stocks are called target stocks or sometimes Goncalo Alves after the timber later used to manufacture them. On your gun they are likely to be walnut. If original to the gun they will have serial number penciled on the inside left panel.
The gun is manufactured on the medium 'k' frame. The Combat Masterpiece was the premium service revolver of its day, being a modified version of the Target Masterpiece target revolver.

General rules of behaviour are as follows:
Work out the appropriate subforum and post a new thread for discussion. Don't hi-jack other peoples threads. IE: If someone asks a specific question about the finish of a gun, ask about yours till they have an answer, start your own thread instead. It is OK to contribute to / ask questions in open threads like this one.

There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. Firearms can be dangerous and we'd rather we all stay safe, so if you have a question ask.

Be polite. anonymous flame wars dont help anyone, there is a saying that winning an argument on the internet is like winning the special olympics, all you prove is that you are retarded.

Moderators may close your thread for being off topic or against the rules. Don't repost it with a complaint about the moderators & rights to free speech. This forum is private property and we are all invited guests. Comport yourself accordingly.

Not all answers given will have equal value. Even some of the most respected members with up to half a century of industry experience will disagree at times. Use your own judgement in accepting advice.

Thats about it. Welcome to THR, I hope you find the company enjoyable and the information useful.

 

[1fromtheparapet]

Olympian

"Posted in the right place and the right thread."

Virtually accidental. Thought something with "revolver" in it would work, hoping I wouldn't land in a Beatles fan club conversation.

Thanks much for the info and direction. I'm Special Olympics only in being socially challenged. I attribute that to what I've come to characterize as the Big Dumb Male Syndrome (BDM/BDMS) but it's of note that females sometimes exhibit symptoms of affliction, too. Along with a wife, I have 3 daughters and a granddaughter. Might explain why I suffer so greatly from the malady? I have a degree in psych but work in engineering/surveying. Go figure.

Though I was pretty certain of some of the basics, confimation from a seasoned wheelgun veteran is gratifying. It does have the ramped front sight. It's not a bull barrel and the sight is rounded. I'll check that left panel for pencil when I get home. Good to know what I called a trigger "paddle" is called a shoe, too. Maybe why I couldn't find an online example anywhere? Much appreciate the other bits of significant detail data you've generously provided.

As an on and off teacher I know the no-dumb-questions rule (though at times I've questioned it). I'll keep your outline of forum etiquette handy. Hopefully it’ll help circumvent knee-jerking thus limiting published BDM moments. Thanks much again. You've been a great help.

 

[Radagast]

Anyone who has managed to marry and raise children has to be somewhat capable of social interaction.

One other etiquette item:
Discussion of personal sexuality, abortion or religion is not allowed and politics only as far as its directly related to firearms law/rights. Past experience has shown that allowing discussions on these subjects will inflame members with strongly held beliefs into baiting each other while driving disinterested members away. This is a site designed to inform about firearms and gun rights, it is not specifically a site for social conservatives, liberals or libertarians, all are welcome if they share the sites mission and follow the rules.

And with that I will shut up. This is off topic for this thread, I'm not a moderator, just the main custodian of the S&W DOB thread. The new member introduction thread is here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=233018

 

[nswtex]

Found a nickel on the way home

Looking for help with a little more info for a revolver I picked up today...no pics yet but could have some soon.

a) .38
b) 2 in.
c) round
d) 5
e) fixed
f) J 885 219
g) 36

Many thanks for the help, this is my second time at the counter so now I really will have to start a tab.

 

[machinecraig]

Hello - I'm coming back to the well for information on a top break S&W revolver I've inherited. I haven't done anything with it yet - but intend to clean it up as best I can for preservation. Anything you can tell me about it would be much appreciated:

a) .38 S&W (I realize this is a different animal from .38 special)
b) 5" barrel
c) round butt, plastic grips that appear to be original
d) 5 shots
e) half moon front sight
f) Serial #542403, bottom of grip and cylinder face both have matching #s

Pardon the bad picture - hopefully it helps:

 

[Radagast]

machinecraig:
You have a .38 Double Action 5th Model manufactured between 1909 & 1911 in the serrial rainge 539001 to 554077.
This gun lacks an internal hammerblock safety and should be treated as a four shooter with the chamber under the hammer left empty.
It should be safe with modern ammo, S&W started advertising their topbreaks as safe for smokeless between 1906 & 1908. New spare parts are not available, and there are few gunsmiths willing to work on them. I would not dry fire it and only shoot it occasionally

nswtex:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1981.

 

[machinecraig]

Radagast - thanks for the information (I was WAY off in my own attempt to identify it), this was my Grandfather's gun, though I'm not sure where or when he acquired it. I really appreciate you taking the time to keep this DOB thread alive!

 

[edwin41]

mod 14

hello
maby you can help me out ... again.
i ve been searching for a model 14 and ive found one.
i really like to know from what year its manufactured , its a beauty by the way.
smith & wesson
a .38 special
b barrel is 15 cm , so i guess some 6 inch ?
c square butt
d 6 shot cillinder
e target adjustable
f 22k0689
g model 14 - 4

its got the wooden target grips with the s&w logos on it.

hope to find out more , your input is much appreciated !

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Just picked up a used Model 15-3 S&W with SN K998700, 4" barrel. I was surfing around and I have (I think) narrowed it down to 1967 to 1977?
Appreciate the help

 

[jshrop6004]

Model 38 DOB

a) .38 Special
b) 1-5/8
c) round
d) 5
e) fixed
f) J2930XX
g) Model 38

Thanks!