Question on 2 S&W revolvers

[ALHunter]

What can anyone tell me about these two revolvers? Approximate age and value? What frame? Both are in very good condition.

Blued Airweight .38 spl CTG
Serial number very hard to read, but I believe it is: 26X**

Stainless 686 w/ 4" barrel
Serial number AFA06**

Thanks.

 

[Brian Williams]

the airweight is more than likely a J frame and the 686 is an L frame and will be 83-87 or there about. the serial number switch started in 83 at AAAxxxx, I do not have my Standard catalog of S&W here but this is close.

 

[Ron James]

The Airweight is 1953 if you misread the serial number and that X is not an X but a number. If it really is an X then I don't know what you have. The Airweight is listed at 175 in very good, I can't find pre-fix AFA in the Standard Catalog of S&W but it's listed in Modern gun values at 250 in very good. Those values are just a guide as to what the average retail is. The real value is how much someone one is willing to pay for them, and how bad do you need the rent money.

 

[ALHunter]

Brian & Ron - Thanks!

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's AL Hunter My Friend-

Just a word of caution, the very first S&W Airweight Chiefs Specials
were made with an aluminum cylinder; thus factory certified for using the
standard velcoity .38 Special loads. The powers too be at S&W decided
to cease production of these weapons on January 13, 1954; thus all of
the S&W Airweight "Chief Specials" made after that has an all
steel cylinder. And, just for the record S&W starting using model #'s
in 1957; with the Airweight "Chiefs Special" becoming what we
now know as the model 37~!

I don't know how old your weapon is, but I thought I would throw
that out there just in case you have one of the older weapons.

 

[ALHunter]

Thanks

AlaDan:
Thanks for weighing in. Your expertise and opinion is always welcomed.
Dave