Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
Radagast
Member
OARNGESI:
Your .38 Military & Police Postwar was manufactured between 1948 & 1951, serial range for those years was C1 to C223998. If I had to guess I would say 1949.
the number in the cylinder yoke cut out is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. It has no maning after the gun was completed.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP ammunition in guns made before 1957. This is simply a convenient cut off point for them, as they started stamnping model numbers on guns that year. In reality any postwar steel framed gun will be fine with PlusP. I would avoid any +P+ as there is no industry standard for it and you doin't know what you are getting. PlusP is only 10% above standard and in reality is close to the old standard pressure load, prior to the standards being lowered.
Your .38 Military & Police Postwar was manufactured between 1948 & 1951, serial range for those years was C1 to C223998. If I had to guess I would say 1949.
the number in the cylinder yoke cut out is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. It has no maning after the gun was completed.
S&W does not recommend use of PlusP ammunition in guns made before 1957. This is simply a convenient cut off point for them, as they started stamnping model numbers on guns that year. In reality any postwar steel framed gun will be fine with PlusP. I would avoid any +P+ as there is no industry standard for it and you doin't know what you are getting. PlusP is only 10% above standard and in reality is close to the old standard pressure load, prior to the standards being lowered.
Slimbo
Member
heres two for ya, i've never dated the 4"...
38
4"
square
6
adjustable
K726214
15-2
38
2"
square
6
adjustable
98K6373
15-4
N
38
4"
square
6
adjustable
K726214
15-2
38
2"
square
6
adjustable
98K6373
15-4
N
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Radagast
Member
Slimbo:
Your Model 15-2 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1967.
Your Model 15-4 was manufactured in 1981.
Your Model 15-2 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1967.
Your Model 15-4 was manufactured in 1981.
Slimbo
Member
Thank you!
mesinge2
Member
a) .357 Magnum
b) 2 1/8" Barrel
c) round butt
d) 5 shot J frame Bodyguard style
e) Fixed
f) XXXXXXX
g) 649-3 (pre-lock)
b) 2 1/8" Barrel
c) round butt
d) 5 shot J frame Bodyguard style
e) Fixed
f) XXXXXXX
g) 649-3 (pre-lock)
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Radagast
Member
Mesinge2;
Late 1997 seems likely. Guns in the CCExxxx range shipped in November 1997 and the CCKxxxx range shipped in January 1998.
The-3 refers to a change to the J magnum frame, which occurred in 1996.
Late 1997 seems likely. Guns in the CCExxxx range shipped in November 1997 and the CCKxxxx range shipped in January 1998.
The-3 refers to a change to the J magnum frame, which occurred in 1996.
mesinge2
Member
Thanks again Radagast!
Skull-ring
Member
J frame
.38
snubbie
square
five shot
fixed sights
serial # j354367
Model 36
Also its blue if that makes a difference, Thanks.
.38
snubbie
square
five shot
fixed sights
serial # j354367
Model 36
Also its blue if that makes a difference, Thanks.
leadslinger83
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3
need help identifiying a smith and wesson revolver
just bought a revolver yesterday and its my first one i dont need info on how to do anything with it just want to see what model it is , about the year made and what a value is worth on it . it has a serial number of 209936 and many copyright dates but stops at dec 29 1914 not sure the length of barrel for it but it is a 38 special . any help would be grateful to me
just bought a revolver yesterday and its my first one i dont need info on how to do anything with it just want to see what model it is , about the year made and what a value is worth on it . it has a serial number of 209936 and many copyright dates but stops at dec 29 1914 not sure the length of barrel for it but it is a 38 special . any help would be grateful to me
Radagast
Member
yhirmikq:
Is it stamped Model 10?
The V prefix predates the Model 10 stamp, which was introduced in 1957. If the serial number is V453xxx, then it dates to around 1943 and is a Victory Model manufactured for the US govt during World War II. Many of these were supplied as surplus to the German police departments.
If a victory model, then it lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944, if dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
If the gun is stamped Model 10 then the the serial number chould have a C prefix.
Skull-ring:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1976.
Is it stamped Model 10?
The V prefix predates the Model 10 stamp, which was introduced in 1957. If the serial number is V453xxx, then it dates to around 1943 and is a Victory Model manufactured for the US govt during World War II. Many of these were supplied as surplus to the German police departments.
If a victory model, then it lacks the internal hammer block safety introduced in 1944, if dropped it could fire, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
If the gun is stamped Model 10 then the the serial number chould have a C prefix.
Skull-ring:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1976.
Skull-ring
Member
Thanks Radagast. You da man.
Baba Louie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,831
More than likely, an early M&P hand ejector (3rd change?), which evolved into the current model 10... but as Agent said, a photo would be helpful.
Measure barrel from front of cylinder to muzzle for that.
Measure barrel from front of cylinder to muzzle for that.
leadslinger83
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3
agent and baba louie i have more information for you and i for some reason cant get a clear picture but i will do my best to describe it
it has a 4 inch barrel
38 special
holds 6
open hand ejector
and round grips
nothing in the crane area
it is blued
serial number is 209936 with no letters any were
it has a 4 inch barrel
38 special
holds 6
open hand ejector
and round grips
nothing in the crane area
it is blued
serial number is 209936 with no letters any were
Attachments
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Radagast
Member
Leadslinger83:
I think you have a bitsa. Specifically it is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 3rd Change manufactured between 1909 & 1915 in the serial range 146900 to 241703.
The grips, if walnut, are from the period 1946 to 1950.
The Pat. dates are for the .38 Military & Model of 1905 4th Change. Look on the underside of the barrel. Hidden by the ejector rod there should be a serial number with a B prefix. If the barrel is original to the gun then it will be B209936 & your gun definitely dates to 1915.
If the number is different or missing then it has been rebarreled at some point. This is not uncommon, S&W did not heat treat these guns, so the odd one would bulge a barrel or cylinder.
If not original then all I can say is 1909 to 1915.
Now for the warnings.
Because this gun was not heat treated I recommmend that you only fire it if it passes the how to check out a revolver sticky at the top of this subforum.
In addition only use lead standard velocity ammunition. No +P, +P+, jacketed or semi jacketed ammo. This will reduce the likelyhood of a bulged barrel or cylinder.
This gun lacks a positive internal hammer block. If dropped it could fire. So load five only and leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
I think you have a bitsa. Specifically it is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 3rd Change manufactured between 1909 & 1915 in the serial range 146900 to 241703.
The grips, if walnut, are from the period 1946 to 1950.
The Pat. dates are for the .38 Military & Model of 1905 4th Change. Look on the underside of the barrel. Hidden by the ejector rod there should be a serial number with a B prefix. If the barrel is original to the gun then it will be B209936 & your gun definitely dates to 1915.
If the number is different or missing then it has been rebarreled at some point. This is not uncommon, S&W did not heat treat these guns, so the odd one would bulge a barrel or cylinder.
If not original then all I can say is 1909 to 1915.
Now for the warnings.
Because this gun was not heat treated I recommmend that you only fire it if it passes the how to check out a revolver sticky at the top of this subforum.
In addition only use lead standard velocity ammunition. No +P, +P+, jacketed or semi jacketed ammo. This will reduce the likelyhood of a bulged barrel or cylinder.
This gun lacks a positive internal hammer block. If dropped it could fire. So load five only and leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
leadslinger83
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3
radagast thank you for all that information it is just amazing that i am a first time revolver owner and i picked up this piece of history for only $100 at a show it does have the original barrel and it has the "b" pre fix but also it does have walnut grips , i had no idea that they didnt heat treat these guns i was at the range yesterday and shot this with jhp 38 spl +p but ran great. however knowing more about this i am going to switch that, an like always when i buy used guns i take it to my gun smith and he goes over everything live a fine tooth comb and said it was good to go. so i thank you again for the information
Radagast
Member
For a shooter that was a good price. Congrats.
Thanks, Radagast, for your great information.
The revolver has an internal hammer block safety. I will check tonight if it is stamped Model 10, but I guess it is not.
I am not sure where I can find the serial number on the revolver. The problem is that German weapon authorities have stamped quite a few numbers on it
The revolver has an internal hammer block safety. I will check tonight if it is stamped Model 10, but I guess it is not.
I am not sure where I can find the serial number on the revolver. The problem is that German weapon authorities have stamped quite a few numbers on it
Radagast
Member
yhirmikq:
Some of the pre-block Victory Models were retrofitted at S&W. These usually have an S stamp on the top rear left side of the frame.
Some of the pre-block Victory Models were retrofitted at S&W. These usually have an S stamp on the top rear left side of the frame.
Radagast
Member
Waidmann:
Serial number 267xxx shipped in 1916, so I'd say your gun did as well. It's a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Model. Not heat treated and no hammer block safety.
Serial number 267xxx shipped in 1916, so I'd say your gun did as well. It's a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Model. Not heat treated and no hammer block safety.
