Question About Smith & Wesson Model Numbers

[hotajax]

There's a gun I am interested in buying. The only designations on it are that it is Smith & Wesson, that it shoots .38 Specials, and it is called an
"Airweight". It has nice walnut grips, and a very short barrel, I would estimate a little shy of 2" in length. It also has an exposed hammer with a long spur. Manufactured probably late 70's or early 80's, is definitely not one of the new models with the enclosed hammer. Finish is black, almost looks like a baked on paint instead of traditional bluing. Looks like a great "car" gun. Is there a model number assigned this gun? Thanks.

 

[451 Detonics]

How many shot is it?
There are no markings under the crane?
Serial number? 123xxxis okay for dating.

 

[MrBorland]

Sounds like a Model 37. As 451D indicated, open the cylinder, and the model # ought to be stamped on the frame under the crane.

Does it look like these?:

http://www.neaca.com/images/S_and_W_37_aw_1_.JPG

http://www.mygunsforsale.com/sw-model-37-airweight/

 

[Iggy]

Open up the cylinder, on the frame in front of the cylinder should be a model designation. ie Model 37 2 or something similar.

I'm guessing 1 17/8" bbl 5 shot.

Hmmm MrBorland is a faster typer than I am. *G*

 

[hotajax]

Model 37

Opened it up, and inside it said Model 37.

It is 5 shots.

It's almost like the one in the pic Mrborland put up, except that the grips on this gun go straight down, they do not round off and break inward toward the trigger.

Thanks for the info.

 

[David E]

That's not paint, it's anodizing on the aluminum frame.

They were offered in both square and round butt configurations, yours apparently being the former.

 

[hotajax]

Painted on Aluminum Frame

That stinks. But thanks for the information.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Hot, there is another discussion here on the same topic. In my decidedly humble opinion, the exposed hammer Airweights are unpleasant to shoot. A steel version of the same gun would be more pleasant to fire because it is heavier. An enclosed hammer version (called a 'Centennial'), even in alloy, is also more pleasant to shoot because it can sit lower in the hand.
The M37 isn't a bad gun, it is just a bit rappy to shoot.
Moon
ETA-anodizing is a process that applies a very durable finish to aluminum. The upper/lower of an M-4 carbine is anodized.
M