Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers
- Thread starter Brian Williams
- Start date
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I'll answer the +P question first. According to S&W any all Steel .38 Special with a model number (1957 on) is safe to shoot with +P ammo.
The Model 10-10 was released in 1988 and ran to 1997. It looks like your serial number comes back the first few weeks of Mar 1993. It looks like you got the last model before the change over to MIM parts. Good for you...
Radagast
Member
KingMedicine: In that case late 1987, probably shipping by January 1988.
Autolycus
Member
Thanks Radagast. Revolvers are new to me.
evets_56_98
Member
need to know yr.of manufacture
a-38 b-3.25 in. c-rounded d-5shot e-half moon front fixed dual rear f-c12320 (u.s. revolver 38s&w top break) ps my first post on this forum
a-38 b-3.25 in. c-rounded d-5shot e-half moon front fixed dual rear f-c12320 (u.s. revolver 38s&w top break) ps my first post on this forum
Radagast
Member
evets_56_98:
Your gun is not a S&W. U.S. Revolver Co. was an inexpensive brand produced by Iver Johnson. Depending on if it has an internal or exposed hammer, it is either a U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS or a U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMER. For either gun it will be the large frame version.
Neither has the the "Hammer the Hammer" transfer bar safety of the more expensive Iver Johnson product. The hammerless version has a rebounding hammer, the hammer version does not. Because of this the hammer version should be treated as a 4 shooter, with the chamber under the hammer left empty. Otherwise the firing pin will be left resting on the primer.
I'm not an expert on Iver Johnson products. I believe that your gun was made between 1918 & 1924.
Reading through the following thread and any related threads may help you nail it down to a particular year. Unfortunately Bill Goforth has passed away. He wrote the book on Iver Johnson and answered most internet questions on their production.
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=47595
Your gun is not a S&W. U.S. Revolver Co. was an inexpensive brand produced by Iver Johnson. Depending on if it has an internal or exposed hammer, it is either a U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS or a U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMER. For either gun it will be the large frame version.
Neither has the the "Hammer the Hammer" transfer bar safety of the more expensive Iver Johnson product. The hammerless version has a rebounding hammer, the hammer version does not. Because of this the hammer version should be treated as a 4 shooter, with the chamber under the hammer left empty. Otherwise the firing pin will be left resting on the primer.
I'm not an expert on Iver Johnson products. I believe that your gun was made between 1918 & 1924.
Reading through the following thread and any related threads may help you nail it down to a particular year. Unfortunately Bill Goforth has passed away. He wrote the book on Iver Johnson and answered most internet questions on their production.
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=47595
Radagast
Member
The Doc: 1981 for that gun. With that serial number it should be a .38 special Model 36-1, but S&W were not always consistent and the Model 36 & 31 used the same frame so a substitution was possible.
evets_56_98
Member
us revolver
Thank you Radagast for your help.Yes my gun does shoot 38s&w short ammo not 38 special.All I knew was that these particular guns were produced between 1910 and 1935.Again thanks,and hopefully I'll get this date narrowed down
Thank you Radagast for your help.Yes my gun does shoot 38s&w short ammo not 38 special.All I knew was that these particular guns were produced between 1910 and 1935.Again thanks,and hopefully I'll get this date narrowed down
jshrop6004
Member
Model 10
Hey Rad, another in my quest to own one of every S&W revolver!:
a) caliber - .38 S&W Special
b) bbl length - 2"
c) grips shape - round
d) number of cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights - fixed
f) serial number - C5367**
g) Model number - 10 no dash
This example has a nickel finish, pinned barrel, and non-recessed ejector. Thanks for all the info!
Hey Rad, another in my quest to own one of every S&W revolver!:
a) caliber - .38 S&W Special
b) bbl length - 2"
c) grips shape - round
d) number of cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights - fixed
f) serial number - C5367**
g) Model number - 10 no dash
This example has a nickel finish, pinned barrel, and non-recessed ejector. Thanks for all the info!
Radagast
Member
jshrop6004:
1961 or 1962. Serial range for those years was C474149 to C622699, so late 1961 seems likely.
The .38 special guns were never recessed. Generally that was reserved for the magnums and the rimfires.
1961 or 1962. Serial range for those years was C474149 to C622699, so late 1961 seems likely.
The .38 special guns were never recessed. Generally that was reserved for the magnums and the rimfires.
jshrop6004
Member
Model 10
Thanks Rad, spot on as always!
Thanks Rad, spot on as always!
birdshooter
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2010
- Messages
- 131
I know it's a new one but I like to know anyway. I always appreciate it!
.45 ACP
4"
Round
6
Adjustable
CNH94XX
625-8
.45 ACP
4"
Round
6
Adjustable
CNH94XX
625-8
Radagast
Member
Birdshooter:
Can't help you out with that one, as the list of serial numbers in the Standard catalog of S&W ends in 2004.
Based on the rate of usage of serial numbers in the 5 years up to 2004, I would expect your gun to have been manufactured in the last 18 months.
Can't help you out with that one, as the list of serial numbers in the Standard catalog of S&W ends in 2004.
Based on the rate of usage of serial numbers in the 5 years up to 2004, I would expect your gun to have been manufactured in the last 18 months.
birdshooter
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2010
- Messages
- 131
Thanks Radagast. After I posted I had a feeling that it was too new. I really enjoy the information you provide!
Radagast
Member
wrs840:
Your Model 67-1 .38 Combat Masterpiece Stainless was manufactured in 1978.
Your Model 67-1 .38 Combat Masterpiece Stainless was manufactured in 1978.
cyclopsshooter
Member
a) 38 spl
b) 3"
c) sq?
d) 6
e) fixed
f) 6j3795
g) 36 no dash
b) 3"
c) sq?
d) 6
e) fixed
f) 6j3795
g) 36 no dash
spoonman72
Member
Howdy guys been a while since i been on the forums,but was hoping to get some info on a revolver i'm looking to pickup.
A:.22
B:6''
C:6
D:can't remember if they were adjustable or fixed but can look tomorrow
E: serial number on barrel and below grips Reads K507xx the one on the yoke cut reads 442xx
G:hoping you can tell me lol
A:.22
B:6''
C:6
D:can't remember if they were adjustable or fixed but can look tomorrow
E: serial number on barrel and below grips Reads K507xx the one on the yoke cut reads 442xx
G:hoping you can tell me
lolRadagast
Member
spoonman72:
You have a K22 Target Masterpiece manufactured in 1948. This was S&W's premium target revolver of the day, along with the nearly identical K38& K32 in .38 Special & .32 S&W Long. They still command a premium price today.
in 1957 the K22 was designated the Model 17.
cyclopsshooter:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1971. The lack of a dash means it is a tapered barrel version. The three inch heavy barrel was the 36-1.
You have a K22 Target Masterpiece manufactured in 1948. This was S&W's premium target revolver of the day, along with the nearly identical K38& K32 in .38 Special & .32 S&W Long. They still command a premium price today.
in 1957 the K22 was designated the Model 17.
cyclopsshooter:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1971. The lack of a dash means it is a tapered barrel version. The three inch heavy barrel was the 36-1.
Last edited:
spoonman72
Member
Thank you sir its in about 98 percent condition only mark on it is on the bottom of the handle
Radagast
Member
spoonman22:
Sounds like you got a beauty.
Sounds like you got a beauty.
788Ham
Member
How about a S&W .38-44.
5" barrel
Original grip
Ser.# 401**
75%
5" barrel
Original grip
Ser.# 401**
75%
