Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Chris-bob]

a) .38 Special Cartridge
b) 4" barrel
c) I think square grips, but I attached a pic so you could see.
d) 6 round cylinder
e) Fixed sights
f) C 357XXX
g) N, with the #42799 underneath it.

 

[Radagast]

Chris-bob:
Your .38 Military & Police (postwar) was manufactured between 1954 & 1956. Serial range for those years was C277555 to C402923, so 1955 seems likely.
In 1957 the .38 Military & Police was designated the Model 10. N & 42799 are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory. They have no meaning after the gun is assembled.

Trader Ray:
Your friend has a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight that was manufactured in 1976 or 1977. Serial range for those years was J370001 to J670000, so late 76 would be my guess. The finish is nickel. Stick to standard velocity ammo for practice, the Model 37 was not rated for PlusP until 1997.

 

[Trader Ray]

Once again, thank you very much and have a great Thanksgiving.

 

[Chris-bob]

Thank you for your answer and time. One more thing to be thankful for! Happy Turkey-Day all!!!

 

[jshrop6004]

Radagast,

Another S&W rescued:

a) .38 special
b) 2" Barrel
c) square grips
d) 6 shot
e) rear adj sights, ramp front sights
f) serial number 6k739xx
g) model 15-3

Grateful as always & Happy Thanksgiving!

Joel S.

 

[Radagast]

jshrop6004:
Your Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1975.

 

[jshrop6004]

Thanks Radagast!

 

[ultra45]

I'm about to send for a Letter of Authenticty for my Model 10-8, 3" Heavy Barrel. I'm curious as to the reply I will get. The serial number range (C1XXXXX) puts its year of Mfgr between 1948 & 1952. I believe it started life as a penciled barreled M-10 or were they still Victory's back then?

 

[Radagast]

ultra45: The Model 10-8 .38 Military & Police heavy barrel was manufactured between 1977 & 1978. If the barrel is pinned its from 1977-1982, if not pinned then 1982 to 1988. The first heavy barrel was introduced in 1959 with the 10-1.
By 1977 S&W were coming to the end of the Dxxxxxx serial range, then starting over at 1Dxxxxx.
You are correct that that serial number should date to 1948-1951.
I would be very interested as to the results of a factory letter!

 

[ultra45]

It could be interesting.

 

[dunn1975]

S&w special ctg

.38 CAL
4" BARRELL
SQUARE GRIP
6 SHOT
REAR ADJ SITE
SER# K158270
YOKE# 34078

Looking for year and value if possible.
Thanks!

 

[Radagast]

dunn1975:
You have a K38 Combat Masterpiece manufactured in 1952. In 1957 model numbers were introduced and the Combat Masterpiece was designated the Model 15. K158270 is the serial number, 34078 is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory. It has no meaning after the gun was assembled. The grips appear to be aftermarket.
I would guesstimate a value of around $350. I am in Australia, not the USA, so I recommend you check the prices of completed sales on such sites as gunbroker.com, gunauction.com & gunsamerica.com to get a better feel for value.

 

[pabner]

3 S&W's

a) caliber: .32 S&W Long
b) bbl length: 1 7/8”
c) grips shape: round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: 5381XX
g) Model number: N/A

a) caliber: .32 S&W Long
b) bbl length: 3 1/2”
c) grips shape: round
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: fixed
f) serial number: 4844XX
g) Model number: N/A

a) caliber: .22 Long Rifle
b) bbl length: 6”
c) grips shape: square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: adj.
f) serial number: 6549XX
g) Model number: N/A

 

[Radagast]

pabner:
Gun 1 is a .32 Regulation Police from around 1949. Postwar production began 1946 around serial number 536000 & had reached 590000 by 1952. The two inch barrel variant was introduced in 1949. I would guess your gun is from 1949.

Gun 2 is a .32 Regulation Police from between 1946 & 1952, with my guess being 1949 to 1952.

Gun 3 is a K22 Outdoorsman or K22 1st Model manufactured between 1931 & 1940, Yours dates to between 1935 & 1940 - guns in the 650xxx serial range shipped in 1935 & in the 660000 range in 1940.
This is a desirable gun, in excellent condition they can sell for a thousand dollars.

 

[pittspilot]

Scratched my 625 itch.

1. 625-2
2. Model of 1989
3. 5 inch
4. BEA7xxx

Thanks,

 

[Radagast]

Your 625-2 Model of 1989 .45 Stainless probably shipped in August 1989.

 

[pittspilot]

Thanks. I love when the date matches the date on the gun.

 

[788Ham]

I picked up a 15-4 at a GS yesterday . Not a master piece is it?

4" barrel
sq. butt
Ser. # 34K14**
Adj. sights

Thanks in advance!

 

[Radagast]

788Ham:
Your Model 15-4 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1978.

 

[slimpickens]

s&w 625-8 Info

Birthdate: S&W 625-8
.45 cal, four inch barrel, matte stainless,
rubber S&W grips, adjustable rear sights
partridge front Serial #CFN5003

Thanks

 

[Radagast]

Slimpickens:
Your 625-8 Model of 1989 .45 ACP Stainless was manufactured in 2002. The -8 refers to the introduction of the internal lock on the .45 ACP version.

 

[slimpickens]

Thanks, Radagast

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

M&P Airweight?

Dear THR Revolver Guys,

Please help me date an M&P Airweight:

a) .38 spl
b) 2 inch
c) round butt
d) six shots
e) fixed sights
f) 3067xxx from butt

Thanks!

LBS

 

[Radagast]

Low Budget Shooter:
Please check that serial number again, S&W did not run as high as 3 million in any serial range. There should be a C prefix or a D somewhere in the serial number.
In addition, is the gun marked with a model number under the cylinder yoke? If so, what does it say?

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Radagast,

Thanks for your help. I'm working from this picture. I guess I made out a letter as a number.