Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Woodwizard]

Hi, Inherited this from my Dad. what can you tell me about its age?

.38 special cal.
4 inch barrel
original grip shape unknown, square frame (K frame?)
6 shot
fixed sights
no model number under crane, just 39286
number on butt 40986*

Thanks, Mike

 

[Radagast]

Woodwizard:
you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured between 1921 (360000) & 1927 (5erial number 570000).
It has a heat treated cylinder and should be safe with any standard velocity or +P ammo. +P+ marked should not be used, there is no industry standard for +P+ pressure.
It lacks a positive internal hammer block, that was introduced during WWII. I recommend leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
It is a predecessor to the later Model 10, but most parts are not interchangeable.

 

[usmc-nav]

Victory

I have a Victory marked US Navy on top
It is s/n 2393xx
Numbers match, including grip, has flaming bomb on bottom of grip.
Only issue is someone carved their initials on the non numbered grip
When was it made? Is a letter worth the dollars?

Thank You

 

[Jason88]

a). .38 spl
b). 1 7/8 barrel
c). round
D).5 shot/ non-recessed cylinder
e).fixed
f).R 1148xx
g).Model 60

 

[Jason88]

just picked up a smith a wesson .38 spl and i was just wanting to know a little more about it thanks

a). .38 spl
b). 1 7/8 barrel
c). round
D).5 shot/ non-recessed cylinder
e).fixed
f).R 1148xx
g).Model 60

 

[Radagast]

Jason88:
Your Model 60 Chiefs Special Stainless was manufactured in the period 1974 to 1977. Serial range for those years was R100000 to R190000, so 1974 seems likely.

usmc-nav:
Serial number for a Victory Model should have a V prefix. If V2393xx, then it was made between 1942 & 1944, with 1943 being likely. Navy marked Victory models do bring a decent premium, if not faked. Price is also very much based on condition. I suggest you start a new thread in the revolver sub-forum and post good quality pics of the gun and its markings.

 

[Rail Driver]

38 special
model 15-3
Nickel
magna grips
4" barrel
ser. 15k3785

 

[Radagast]

Rail Driver:
1977.

 

[marv]

a. .38sp
b. 4"
c. Square butt
d. 6 shot
e. Adjustable
f. 19K217X
g. 15-3

'preciate it
marv

 

[Radagast]

marv:
Your .38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1977.

 

[Bull Nutria]

a-22LR
b- 3inch bbl
c-round
d-8 shot
e-adjustable rear and orange flourescent front
f-ctp27xx
g-model 63-5 round butt grips
this revolver was purchased last week was wondering when it was manufactured?

thanks,
Bull

 

[Radagast]

Bull Nutria:
Your Model 63-5 .22/32 Kit Gun Stainless was manufactured quite recently, they were re-introduced with the three inch barrel in late 2010. The Standard Catalog of S&W was published in 2006, so obviously it does not cover your gun. Because it is so recent, a call to S&W customer service should get you a shipping date.

 

[Willabe]

a: 38 special
b: 6"
c: square
d: 6
e: adjustable
f: 6K910xx
g: 14-9

Edit! It's a model 14-3. Sorry, looked at it several times with the magnifying glass and was still wrong! Sorry about that.

Right side of barrel is marked "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG."

Thanks!

 

[Radagast]

Willabe:
Your Model 14-3 K38 Target Masterpiece was manufactured in 1975.

 

[Willabe]

Thanks!

 

[SteelManCM]

a: 357 Magnum
b: 4"
c: square
d: 6
e: fixed
f: 8D15783
g: 13-2

I would also like to know which grips would be correct for this model. The ugly plastic has to go.

 

[Radagast]

SteelManCM:
Your Model 13-2 .357 Magnum Military & Police Heavy Barrel was manufactured in 1981.
Correct grips were square butt Magna stocks.
S&W makes a reproduction:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...58004_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N

Or check out your local gun shop for a pair of timber original grips.

 

[SteelManCM]

Wow. A lot of information in that response. Thank you.

 

[litman252]

Recent purchase, anything to share? Date or more would be great!

357
2 1/2"
Round
6 shot
adjustable
17k6---
66 no dash

Thanks much for the time.

 

[Radagast]

litman252:
Your Model 66 Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1977.

 

[Hunterdad]

38spl
1-7/8"
Round
5-shot
Fixed
181xxx
36 no dash

Thanks!

 

[pdgodwin99]

a) 38 spl
b) 4"
c) round
d) 6
e) fixed
f) 29836
g) c97 5

 

[Radagast]

Hunterdad:
Your Model 36 Chiefs Special was manufactured sometime between 1959 (serial number 163051 & 1962 (serial number 295000). As production averaged roughly 35000 guns a year for that period, I would guess late 1959 or early 1960.

pdgodwin99:
A .38 special with a C prefix will be a .38 Military & Police Post War or after 1957, a Model 10 .38 Military & Police. If the serial number is C975 then it was manufactured in 1948. If the serial number is C975xxx then it was manufactured in 1967.

 

[Hunterdad]

Thanks!

 

[pdgodwin99]

Radagast, perhaps I got my numbers out of order. The s/n is 29836 and the number prefixed by "c" is on the crane, which I assumed to be a model number. Anyhow, the weapon could not be circa 1950's because it has been in the family about 100 years.