Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Brian Williams]

This going to be a thread for those who are looking for a date of manufacture for their S&W revolvers.

We'd need to know :

a) caliber
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips shape (round or square)
d) number of shots/cylinder bores
e) type of sights.
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip
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).

A picture or two is worth A LOT of words in this case...

 

[Chrome]

I'll step up first.

a) .357
b) 4"
c) Square
d) five shot
e) target adjustable
d) K

What I know is it's a 19-4 40K45xx.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[Brian Williams]

A 19-4 would be a 6 shooter.
40K would be late 78 - early 79

 

[Chrome]

Whoops, Yup it's a 6 shooter. Little older than I expected.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[adkpete]

I'll be second
a.--38 Special
b.--4"
c--Square Grips
d.--Non Adjustable
e.-- "D"

Thanks

 

[Oro]

adkpete - The s/n should be more than just "D" - if you are afraid to post it (no big deal, really), give a partial in the form of "D 256xxx". In the case of late model guns (1980 and up), the first thee alpha characters are suficient - e.g. - "AHH." Also, your gun should have a model number in the yoke cut when you swing out the cylinder. 10-5, I'd bet.

Brian may want to ammend his list to include the model # info for post-'57 guns - it helps a bit. Your's was made post-'68 so the model number will be stamped on it (all guns post-57 are).

 

[GLM]

a. J-frame Airweight .38 Special
b. 2" barrel
c. Round butt
d. fixed sights
f. 1043XX...no letter anywhere in the serial number. I'm pretty sure this gun is pre-1957. There is no model number in the yoke cut.

 

[Oro]

GLM -

Chief's Special Airweight, 1956. "Pre-37." Very cool old gun. Has a flat latch on the side, right?

 

[GLM]

It does have the flat latch. Thanks for the information.

 

[Mark K. C.]

Hi Brian, I have a .44 mag- 6.5" bbl-6 shot-round grips-#S17106- fixed front -adjustable rear sights. Thanks

 

[zplug123]

I've got three of these jewels:

19-4
a) .357 Magnum
b) 4" barrel
c) Square
d) 6 rounds
e) Adjustable
f) 61K58xx

28-2
a) .357 Magnum
b) 6" barrel
c) Square
d) 6 rounds
e) Adjustable
f) N2279xx

17-2
a) .22LR
b) 6" barrel
c) Square
d) 6 rounds
e) adjustable
f) K7896xx

 

[boatingboy]

Model 36
a).38
b)1 7/8
c)square
d)5 rounds
e)non adjustable
f) 175375

 

[Brian Williams]

Mark, it should have 6 digits and guessing that it is s17106x it is 1956-57

zplug
19-4
1980

28-2
1974-77

17-2
1968

 

[Brian Williams]

boating
57 to 62 probably early 58, it would need to be lettered from S&W to be sure.

 

[ljc5]

S&W serial no.

Great Thread

a- J frame airweight 642-1
b- 2" barrel
c- round butt
d- fixed sights
e- serial no CEK67xx


Thanks Les

 

[1 old 0311]

j frame
model 60, no dash
AYT02XX

Thanks

 

[Oro]

CEK is about winter 2000/2001

AYT is about 1987.

It is hard to be exact on most of these dates - the published records aren't complete and you have to extrapolate.

 

[NG VI]

I will post the S/N when I get home, and a picture if possible,
a).357
b) 4"
c) Square
d) 6
e) Adjustable
f) serial number, and if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip
g) 28-2, says Highway Patrolman on the barrel, .357 CTG or .357 S&W CTG. I am pretty sure the S/N starts with 'N'

 

[CajunBass]

Smith & Wesson 17 22

A. 22 LR
B. 6"
C. Grips are a rounded "Jordan" type, replacement. Gun is used.
D. 6
E. Target Adjustable
F. 1K90551
G. K

 

[Oro]

NGVI - need more S/N - first couple of digits and total number of digits at a minimum. A 28-2 N-prefix could run from 1968/9 to 1982.

CajunBass - 1971

 

[CajunBass]

Thanks Kamere. I haven't picked it up yet. Did put it on layaway today. My first S&W in a while.

 

[Brian Williams]

Thanks for helping out Kamerer

 

[Oro]

Brian,

No problem. I enjoy it because it helps me learn what I don't know. I have learned a lot about S&Ws from helpful folks over the last few years, happy to pay it back.

FYI, my name is also Bryan. But you spell yours funny.

 

[cerberus65]

I have a recently acquired model 34:
a) .22 LR
b) 2"
c) round
d) 6
e) adjustable
f) AYB42xx
g) 34-1
The 1 is stamped a bit higher than the 34. There are also some other numbers on the crane near where 34-1 is stamped. I didn't figure those were as important. Thanks!

 

[bill larry]

OKay, guys, here's two Model 1905's (military and police?)...

# 1-

.38 special
5" barrel
square butt
6 shots
fixed sights
Serial number: S 8626XX

# 2-

.38 special
5" barrel
square butt
6 shots
fixed sights
Serial number: 4530XX