Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

a) caliber - 38 SPL
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) 1.8
c) grips shape (round or square) Square butt
d) number of shots/cylinder bores 5
e) type of sights. integral
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip BAF90xx (Do you guys need the rest?)
g) Model number if it is under the crane.
That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder). MOD 36

Excuse the poor quality pics...it is an inheritance item and I've only snapped some cell phone pics. It appears to still have factory grease in it as the locking bolt and locking bolt spring were locked up tight and not allowing the cylinder to open. That took a little cleaning and soaking to get the crud out and open her up. I think it basically lived in my grandmother's sock drawer since whenever it was new.

Edited to add: Thanks in advance for any help! The serial number is confounding me as it doesn't match with other j frame serial numbers I've researched.

Thanks a lot!!!

Forumsurfer:
Your Model 36 .38 Chiefs Special was manufactured in early 1988. From 1983 S&W transitioned to a 3 letter, 4 numeral serial number system so numbers were not being duplicated over multiple models

I appreciate that!

can you tell me anything about a performance center 686 called "the hunter" i am trying to purchase one.i am wondering if the asking price is a little high LNIB with a 2x30 swift stainless scope asking 1050

Performance Center Model 686 Hunter. 8 shot 6 inch slab sided barrel, dual Magna Ports, integral weaver rail, product code 170021. MRSP $1123. 200 made circa 1994, based on the product code.
There was a later export version and a seven shot version.

thanks i am going to look at it in person next week but i think its a 7 shot non fluted cylinder it does have the angled release but no lock.thanks coggy

Product code 170079, Lew Horton special 686 Hunter 7 shot, also 170086 RSR distributors special 686 Hunter 7 shot. Probably 1998.

Rad,

The guns I was going to look at buying are kind of on hold. Apparently a son decided he wanted to get a "book" with the values of the guns and sell them. His fathers' guns so it's up to him and his mom. I told him to be very careful as he could have some true treasures. If he asks for my help I will certainly give it. The list he gave me had a couple of Smith snubbies. Good guns but nothing "rare and valuable". The Colts are the prides of this collection and the guy obviously liked them. Anaconda, Python, Det. Special, Trooper for sure. Several revolvers still in boxes and they look unfired in the pictures. Also quite a few cap and ball revolvers but, since I haven't examined them in person, I don't know if they are replica kits or the real deal.

pc 686

I found out the product code is 170086 what else can you tell me about it and what does rsr gb stand for thanks coggy

http://www.rsrgroup.com/
Formerly RSR Distributors. A major S&W wholesaler who would order small runs of special feature guns. I've no other data on that particular model.

38
2
square
5
fixed
528067
85047

[email protected]
If the caliber is .38 S&W, top break action, with exposed hammer then you have a .38 Double Action 4th Model between 1898 (serial number 382022) and 1908 (serial number 5355530.
If the caliber is .38 Special, swing out cylinder action, exposed hammer, steel frame, then it is a Model 36 Chiefs Special manufactured between 1966 (serial number 391733) and 1969 (serial number 7865440.
If as above, but aluminum frame and marked Airweight, them it is a Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight from the same era.

Excellent !

Caliber .38 special
Barrel is four inches
Square grips
Six shots
Adjustable sights
S/N 20K5892
Model 15-4

Ellsnjel:
Your Model 15-4 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured in 1977.

I purchased a S&W 32 long ctg revolver today and would appreciate any information on this gun.

It has a 4.25 inch barrel the S&W loco is stamped on the left side of the gun and the serial # is stamped of the front of the grip frame
The main spring in the gun is a flat piece of steel nd the grips have the square butt and there is a pat. date of 1917 stamped
on the bottom of the grips.
The serial number of the gun is 3963xx
I am trying to find when this gun was made and if this is the police model of the hand ejector and appx. value of the gun the blueing is around 75 % and the action is tight like a new gun it cant have been fired very much at all
Any information would be greatly appreciated

onebilly43:
You have a .32 Regulation Police manufactured circa 1924. Serial number 389xxx shipped December 1923

thank you Radagast

S&W 686 357 mag CS-1

Just picked up a 686 357 RB marked CS-1. This one does not have a 3" barrel instead it has a 2.5". Serial number is AYU0771 and does have an M stamp. Any ideas as to when this gun was made and if the barrel has been changed?

New to me 14-3

a) .38spl caliber
b) 6" bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) Square grips shape (round or square)
d) 6-number of shots/cylinder bores
e) adj of sights.
f) 1K33446 serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip
g) 14-3 number if it is under the crane.







THANK YOU!

Rodentman:
Your Model 14-3 K38 Masterpiece was manufactured in 1970.

lms100:
Your Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless was manufactured in 1988, which is correct for a CS-1. The grips are not original. The rear sight is correct, the front sight is not. The finish should be a matte bead blasted grey, it appears to have been polished at some point. The CS 1 was made in 3 & 4 inch barrels, with some 6 inch barrels for the US Customs pistol team.
I'm going to say it's been re-barreled, although an over run frame being assembled with a 2.5 inch barrel is possible.

I just picked up a Smith and Wesson model 586 4" .357 magnum serial #AAA5003 could you give me a DOB , Also could you tell what dash it is as there none that I can see it just says MOD 586, thank you

Snake Plissken:
1981, same year as Escape from New York. Second year of manufacture, although there is a slim chance it was actually assembled in 1980 and is a first year gun.
It's a no-dash model and is subject to the recall for an oversize firing pin bushing. Primers may flow back around the pin and lock up the gun. If modified under the recall there will be an M stamp above the model number. If not S&W will pay shipping both ways and install a new bushing and pin.

thanks