Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

Double post... Sorry, I just saw this

a) .32 caliber
b) 5" barrel
c) Wood square butt
d) 6 shots/? cylinder bores
e) type of sights. Not sure, back of barrel has a smooth divet and end of barrel has a stand up point sight
f) 86894, bottom of grip and face side of barrel
g) Not sure, but under the arm of the chamber is 3 2 241


Attached is a picture...

I would like to have an idea of value. I do not plan to ever get rid of it as it was a gift from a very good friend.


Thanks in advance,
Mike
 

Attachments

  • S & W 32.jpg
    S & W 32.jpg
    53.5 KB · Views: 16
Last edited:
Edited heavily, just checked the original thread and the caliber is .32-20, not .32 long. Correct info follows:

mrlittlejohn:
You have a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change3 -2nd Change manufactured between May 7th 1919 (serial number 82187) & 31st January 1923 (serial number 11160x)
The sights are the service fixed sights.
Value is probably around $300-$350, assuming mechanically good condition.
Your gun has a heat treated cylinder, but I would avoid shooting any old .32-20 High Speed marked ammo through it, as this was for rifles only and could bulge the barrels of the .32-20 revolver. Any modern .32-20 ammo will be loaded to be safe in your revolver.
It predates the positive internal hammer block safety used in current guns, so leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
The numbers under the cylinder yoke are assembly numbers, used to track parts in the factory, they have no meaning after the gun is assembled. Stamped model numbers were not introduced until 1957.
 
Last edited:
southms:
Serial number D836xxx means a fixed sight K frame manufactured in 1975 or 1976, with 1976 being likely. Being .38 special narrows it down to a Model 10 or Model 12. If the barrel is marked airweight then it is a model 12. If no sucj markings then a model 10.
 
There are some very good resources on here to help you identify it. Please read the very first post of this thread and include the information requested. Pictures do a lot to help identify a gun !


Mike
 
Thinking of purchasing this gun - thank you for any info you can provide to help me decide. All I have at the moment is a photo
a) caliber = 44 Magnum
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) = 8-3/8"
c) grips shape (round or square) = Square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores = unknown (6?)
e) type of sights = red ramp front, adjustable rear.
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip = N4271XX
g) Model number if it is under the crane = 29-2

C2C68323-C0E0-4BF0-A851-3BB3D667DDDA-1352-00000083C18B9A35.jpg
 
chhodge69:
The N4xxxxx serial range was used in 1977 & 1978 for all N frame models, so 1977 seems likely. The Standard Catalog of S&W doesn't list any special run / presentation models before 1979. The case is correct for the period 1974 to 1978, it was a factory option rather than a special run item.
According to SCSW the inserts are molded plastic with blue flock covering. Corners are dovetailed and "hinges & clasps were cheaply pressed brass colored metal."

In 2006 the SCSW gave a value of $850 for an new in the box Model 29-2 plus a small premium for nickle finish.
 
Is this a genuine .357 magnum

a) caliber - .357 magnum
b) bbl length - 4 inches
c) grips shape - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) type of sights - fixed
f) serial number - K 262941
g) Model number under the crane - No model number
 
the Doc:
K262xxx means a 1955 K frame with adjustable rear sight & fixed front. Model numbers were not introduced until 1957.
My guess is you have a .357 Combat Magnum, the pre-Model 19. This was the first year of production, with the Combat Magnum introduced at serial number K262001.
If it is a fixed sight gun with the rear sight being a groove in the top strap, then it may be a factory prototype that escaped into the wild. Or it may be an adjustable sight model that is missing the rear sight and the mounting point is being interpreted as a sight.
 
Have yet another one for you. Thanks in advance.
K38 Masterpiece
1.) 38spl
2.) 8 3/8 barrel
3.) Model 14-3
4.) 6k674xx
 
Snake Plisskin:
SCSW lists January 1988 for guns in that serial range; its possible it shipped a little earlier or a little later as serial numbers for that period did not necessarily ship consecutively. Realistically it was probably manufactured late in 1987 and shipped early in 1988.
Have you escaped from New York yet?
 
Joined the forum just for this thread. Here's mine.

A) .38 special
B) Just shy of six inches, pencil barrel.
C) Square
D) Six shots
E) Non adjustable
F) 320XXX
G) It's before there were model numbers, it's a five-screw

The grips in the picture are not original.


2013-04-29181307_zps6b4b14b0.jpg
 
Last edited:
thetopher:
You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured in 1919 or 1920. It has a heat treated cylinder, but lacks the modern internal hammer block safety. Grips are post '68. It has been refinished, S&W did not blue the hammer or trigger.
 
You've been so kind to so many that I'll push my luck and hit you with a double.

S&W Chiefs Special Airweight (Pre model 37?)
Factory nickel plated J frame
5 shot 38 Special
SN# 1294xx

S&W Model 10 (No dash)
Well worn blued K frame 4" bbl
6 shot 38 Special
SN# C 4399xx

Thank you
 
Last edited:
Twiki357:
Your Chiefs Special Airweight should date to 1958, but may be a late 1957 gun. Model numbers were introduced in 1957, but S&W have managed to skip stamping them on more than one gun.

Your Model 10 .38 Military & Police was manufactured in 1960.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
S&W 38 special identification help
Replies
5
Views
371
DPris
D
B
  • Locked
S&W Model 29-3 markings
Replies
3
Views
1K
belercous
B
Dudemeister
  • Locked
S&W Model 57
2
Replies
48
Views
3K
vmr357
vmr357
T
  • Locked
Questions about S&W Model 10-6
Replies
9
Views
728
GaryP
G
S
  • Locked
S&W Model 36 Manufacture Date:
Replies
4
Views
446
Brian Williams
Brian Williams
Back
Top