Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

J-Bar said:

Please date:

Model 14-3
6” K-38 Masterpiece
.38 Special
10K25xx

Thank you!

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Shipped in 1977

A) .38 Special +P
B) 3 Inch
C) Round Butt
D) 6 shots
E) Fixed Sights
F) CJU8xxx
G) Mod. 64-8

I am guessing 2012-13?

Sistema1927 said:

A) .38 Special +P
B) 3 Inch
C) Round Butt
D) 6 shots
E) Fixed Sights
F) CJU8xxx
G) Mod. 64-8

I am guessing 2012-13?

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I can't find the exact CJU prefix but others around it date to 2005-2006. That doesn't mean it's for sure but maybe. If the gun is part if a special run it will not be listed in my sources. If you write S&W they can tell you the date and if it's part of a special run but no more info without paying for a letter.

Sorry I can't nail it down for you.

ArchAngelCD said:

I can't find the exact CJU prefix but others around it date to 2005-2006. That doesn't mean it's for sure but maybe. If the gun is part if a special run it will not be listed in my sources. If you write S&W they can tell you the date and if it's part of a special run but no more info without paying for a letter.

Sorry I can't nail it down for you.

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Thanks. This probably was a special run, since it was a law enforcement gun shipped to Germany and recently returned to the states. (Has German proof markings and importer mark.) My guess of 2012-13 was based upon my CVN 4" 64 being a 2014 gun. Not that it matters, this pistol was carried some and shot seldom, and a little elbow grease and new grips have cleaned it right up. Once again, thanks.

Please date my gun:
A) .357 Magnum
B) 4" Barrel
C) Square Butt
D) 6 shot
E) Adjustable Sights
F) BHN6227
G) Mod. 66-3

It has a wider hammer than normal, but not as broad as a target hammer, and also has a smooth-faced trigger.

Thanks,
Mac

MacAR said:

Please date my gun:
A) .357 Magnum
B) 4" Barrel
C) Square Butt
D) 6 shot
E) Adjustable Sights
F) BHN6227
G) Mod. 66-3

It has a wider hammer than normal, but not as broad as a target hammer, and also has a smooth-faced trigger.

Thanks,
Mac

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Can pin down the ship date exactly but I would say around 1991-92.

Thank you! I reckoned it to be a little older than that, but I'm glad to know now how old it really is. Do you think that the trigger and hammer might be aftermarket? The action sure is smooth and the trigger breaks cleanly at about 3 pounds, so maybe its had a little work done? I dunno. I do know its a great shooting gun.

Mac

MacAR said:

Thank you! I reckoned it to be a little older than that, but I'm glad to know now how old it really is. Do you think that the trigger and hammer might be aftermarket? The action sure is smooth and the trigger breaks cleanly at about 3 pounds, so maybe its had a little work done? I dunno. I do know its a great shooting gun.

Mac

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A lot of the Model 66's came with smooth combat triggers. I have some with grooved and some with smooth. The smooth are .312 and the grooved service triggers are .265. Of course there are the rare ones with the full with Target Trigger. According to the Standard Catalog of S&W 4th Edition Model 66's were either shipped with the .375 Semi Target or .500 Target Hammer.
Yours is probably the .375 Semi Target Hammer.

Any results on this one I posted a while back?
I would like to get as much info about it as possible.
Thanks

Posted on 3/19/19
Photos on original post.

Please identify and date this S&W revolver.

.38 S&W Special
4"
square
6 shot
Fixed sights
35358
Model - Unmarked
U.S. Navy

sigman2 said:

Any results on this one I posted a while back?
I would like to get as much info about it as possible.
Thanks

Posted on 3/19/19
Photos on original post.

Please identify and date this S&W revolver.

.38 S&W Special
4"
square
6 shot
Fixed sights
35358
Model - Unmarked
U.S. Navy

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I try my best but I'm far from an expert on this topic. I'm not sure which revolver that is. It's obviously military but I'm still not sure. Is there a V in front of the serial number even if it's away from the numbers? Sorry I can't tell you right off.

sigman2 said:

Any results on this one I posted a while back?
I would like to get as much info about it as possible.
Thanks

Posted on 3/19/19
Photos on original post.

Please identify and date this S&W revolver.

.38 S&W Special
4"
square
6 shot
Fixed sights
35358
Model - Unmarked
U.S. Navy

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I'm with ArchAngelCD. I found 2 different models it could possibly be in the Standard Catalog of SW 4th edition. If it is a M&P Hand Ejector with no prefix, that number falls in the 1903-1904 range. If it is a .38/44 HE it would fall in around 1931-1932. Like ArchAngelCD stated, a prefix even if stamped away from the serial number would change everything.

Hello,

How about the Model 65 below...

a) 357
b) 3"
c) Round butt
d) 6 shot
e) Fixed sights
f) ABH25XX
g) 65-3



Thanks!

Vigo74 said:

Hello,

How about the Model 65 below...

a) 357
b) 3"
c) Round butt
d) 6 shot
e) Fixed sights
f) ABH25XX
g) 65-3

Thanks!

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ABH is not showing up but there are prefixes really close. I'd say 1982-1983

Eddietruett said:

ABH is not showing up but there are prefixes really close. I'd say 1982-1983

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Thank you! I was busy uploading pics when you replied. Is it normal for a prefix to not show up, or do they give you a range of prefixes?

Vigo74 said:

Thank you! I was busy uploading pics when you replied. Is it normal for a prefix to not show up, or do they give you a range of prefixes?

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I get most of my information from the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition. They have a list of known serial numbers for just about any series S&W ever produced. The Triple Letter Prefix is one of the most confusing. Sometimes you may find ABDXXXX and ABFXXXX but you won't see ABEXXXX so you just assume it was probably shipped about the same time. One thing that you have to realize with S&W is the dates are shipped dates and not manufactured dates. For Instance, I have a Model 66 that was produced the 1st year or so because it has stainless steel rear sights that were only produced for a short while. The Mod 66 was started in 1970 so mine would be a 70-71 produced gun. Trace serial number and it shows shipping in 1973. So obviously it sat on the shelf for 12-24 months before shipping. It can get real confusing and it is not an exact science but usually gets you very close. by the way, if you are going to collect or buy a bunch of S&W's or just want some very entertaining reading and information, you ban purchase the Catalog now in its 4th edition from Amazon for around $30 I think. If you like S&W guns it will be the best money you ever spent. It goes way back and has sections on the old break open revolvers, engraving, grips and even boxes. It also goes into each model ever produced and different changes that go along with the dash number after the model number.

Thanks for getting back to me, I'll have to look into the catalog, not really a collector but it seems like it would be a fun thing to have. I was just wondering about this gun because I just bought it. Thanks again for looking it up and getting back to me.

The 3" Model 65 is a fantastic revolver. I am a huge fan of 3" K Frames. I buy everyone I can get my hands on.

I’m not sure what model this one is, but:

32 Long
3.5 in barrel
Six shooter
Rounded grips
Fixed sights
SN: R343703

My Great-grandmother had an old Smith 32 similar and I’ve been looking for one which I found today. Will need a little work to make it a shooter since the cylinder lock up has a little more slop than I’m comfortable with.

Thanks!!!!

TenDriver said:

I’m not sure what model this one is, but:

32 Long
3.5 in barrel
Six shooter
Rounded grips
Fixed sights
SN: R343703

My Great-grandmother had an old Smith 32 similar and I’ve been looking for one which I found today. Will need a little work to make it a shooter since the cylinder lock up has a little more slop than I’m comfortable with.

Thanks!!!!

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I could be wrong, but pretty sure what you have is a .32 hand ejector third model. These were made from 1917-1942. That serial number range was 263001-536684 or about 1000 per year. Doing the match, I would guess yours would be around 1925-26. And that is just a pure guess bases on what info I could find.

Just got a Model 19-4 2.5" P & R. , If someone could help me with a born on date would be appreciated, S/N 32K7XXX , thanks

Eddietruett said:

I could be wrong, but pretty sure what you have is a .32 hand ejector third model. These were made from 1917-1942. That serial number range was 263001-536684 or about 1000 per year. Doing the match, I would guess yours would be around 1925-26. And that is just a pure guess bases on what info I could find.

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Thanks!

Snake Plisskin said:

Just got a Model 19-4 2.5" P & R. , If someone could help me with a born on date would be appreciated, S/N 32K7XXX , thanks

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Probably shipped in 1978. Serial numbers 25k0001-56k9999 were shipped in 1978-79. Yours is early enough to fall in 1978 I would think.

Good Morning,
I am looking for information on an odd pre lock j frame I picked up. Date shipped or manufactured.
A) .38 Special +P
B) 3.2 Inch
C) Round Butt Scandium Alloy Frame
D) 5 shots Titanium Cylinder
E) Adjustable Sights orange fiber optic front sight
F) CDR4640
G) Mod. 337-1

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks folks.

ancientnoob said:

Good Morning,
I am looking for information on an odd pre lock j frame I picked up. Date shipped or manufactured.
A) .38 Special +P
B) 3.2 Inch
C) Round Butt Scandium Alloy Frame
D) 5 shots Titanium Cylinder
E) Adjustable Sights orange fiber optic front sight
F) CDR4640
G) Mod. 337-1

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks folks.
View attachment 838684

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Shipped in 1999

Eddietruett said:

Shipped in 1999

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@Eddietruett Thank you kindly sir.