Manufacture date on S&W 638-2 help

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Very excited about my new (and 1st!) J-Frame. Serial number is CDT54xx with 912 on the swing arm (not sure what that number means).

I’m aware that I can call S&W and probably get an answer, but I always seem to get answers to questions I never thought to ask after starting a conversation on this forum.

Side note, the trigger is perfectly heavy - a consistently smooth pull all the way through. Thought about the whole spring-lightening route, but there’s just something sweet about that trigger…not to mention the single action is nicer than my no-dash 686 . The shop had a 642-3 (hammerless) that was in for some spring work and were nice enough to let me compare the two. No contest. The -3 was WAY heavier to start, then smooth, then hit a wall before breaking. It was easy to stage the trigger, but it just felt weird.

Anyways, thanks for any help with the age of my new best friend!

 

[cfullgraf]

If you are into Smith and Wesson revolvers, the “Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson” is a good book to have. I think the 4th edition is the most current.

They have lots of information on S&W firearms including approximate manufacturing dates.

Also, there is a thread in the revolver thread, I think, one can ask for manufacturing date of a particular S&W revolver.

On my 638, I find it difficult to cock the firearm for single action. The double action pull is comparable with my 642 and 442 revolvers.

My 642, 442, 437, and 638 are machined to accept moon clips. Reloads are easier and quicker. But not everyone likes moon clips.

I like the j-frames. I hope you enjoy yours.

 

[Thomasss]

Very excited about my new (and 1st!) J-Frame. Serial number is CDT54xx with 912 on the swing arm (not sure what that number means).

The important part of your serial number is the three letter code. CDT firearms were dated Dec. 1999 by S&W.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

The important part of your serial number is the three letter code. CDT firearms were dated Dec. 1999 by S&W.

Wonderful information! Thank you.

Would you happen to know what the number on the crane means, if anything?

 

[Tallball]

Wonderful information! Thank you.

Would you happen to know what the number on the crane means, if anything?

Lots of the older Smiths have "parts" numbers on them that aren't associated with the serial numbers.

IIRC, it's so the correct individual cylinder and frame and so forth would be matched together.

 

[bangswitch]

Very excited about my new (and 1st!) J-Frame. Serial number is CDT54xx with 912 on the swing arm (not sure what that number means).

I’m aware that I can call S&W and probably get an answer, but I always seem to get answers to questions I never thought to ask after starting a conversation on this forum.

Side note, the trigger is perfectly heavy - a consistently smooth pull all the way through. Thought about the whole spring-lightening route, but there’s just something sweet about that trigger…not to mention the single action is nicer than my no-dash 686 . The shop had a 642-3 (hammerless) that was in for some spring work and were nice enough to let me compare the two. No contest. The -3 was WAY heavier to start, then smooth, then hit a wall before breaking. It was easy to stage the trigger, but it just felt weird.

Anyways, thanks for any help with the age of my new best friend!

S&W won't help with dating the gun if you call. But if you have the box it has the mfg date on the label, in the "spec ord" window, I believe. It used to be a Julian date, not sure if it's still that or a different format. According to SCSW, CDT is 1999.

"912" is likely a production line number , probably stamped on the cylinder under the extractor star as well, to keep the parts together on the assembly line.

 

[Thomasss]

Would you happen to know what the number on the crane means, if anything?

Sorry no. My information on specifics like that only goes up 1995. S&W is known for different numbering systems and not always following the same sequence throughout their history. For your interest, S&W historically used letter and letter combinations to denote gun specifics like barrel size and metal finishes and other info. However, some numbers were used in specific models info. and historians know some of these and other numbers were in production long since forgotten. Your serial number date was obtained from a later source that just identified S&W finish times.