Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

Radagast

Thanks again Radagast. The info from the link is just what I was hoping to find. I may send off for the letter.
 
Hey all. I just wanted to share some time frames. I just got my letter today from S&W for a 32 cal Regulation Police. Turns out the 1926 year gun I bought was actually made in 1923.

Anyway, it took 22 weeks from the time I sent the request, and 20 weeks from when they cashed my check for it to show up. It's worth it IMO if you have a collectible gun, so just be patient. The letter will come eventually.
 
Sure.
Regulation Police
6" barrel
Blued
32 S&W Long
Serial # 389xxx
Shipped from S&W Dec. 10, 1923

Would having the full serial number be better for your update? PM me if so.
 
Cool. I have 327xxx shipping that month and 377xxx shipping in October. I'm guessing 327xxx was a frame that ended up at the 'bottom of the pile'.
 
Alright Radagast
S&W model 17-4 pinned 8 3/8 bbl 83k2802 what would you date this

as far as being a sought after gun whats is your opinion
thanks
 
saenzrich:
1980, not very common, but not necessarily a 'hot item'. I think the main market for them is keen small game hunters and rimfire metallic silhouette shooters.
 
My father gave me his and my grandfathers service revolvers. Both are S-W M&P's in 38 special , 4 inch barrel's , square butt , 6 shot with fixed sites. Only real difference is grandpa's ejector rod has like a mushroom shaped end on it. The #,s are 404811 and 624601. Thank you for any info you can provide me. They are both great shooters and will be pasted down when I am gone.
 
radir68:
Both guns are .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change.
serial number 404xxx dates to between 1921 (Serial range 359000) to 1927 (serial range 470000). If it has a Made in USA stamp then it was made after May 1922.

Serial number 624601 probably dates to 1932. I have a note that 624509 shipped in March of that year.
The Ejector rod design was changed in 1930.
 
Last edited:
Radagast, Thank you, thank you. It means a lot to me to have the info on these 2. Of all my guns these 2 are the only ones that will never get sold. Thank you again, John
 
radir68:
Just edited a small error in the above answer, it doesn't change the gist of it.

Also, the Model of 1905 4th Change (which was effectively the Model of 1915, being the 4th design change of the model of 1905) lack the positive hammer block safety introduced in 1944 after a fatality with a dropped gun. I would treat both as 5 shooters, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
Heat treatment of cylinders was introduced in late 1919, so theoretically both guns are capable of handling PlusP loads. Personally I would treat the earlier gun gently, using only standard pressure lead loads in it, no PlusP or jacketed. Over the years I've seen a few reports of replacement barrels on M&Ps from the 1920s and earlier, which suggest the steels were not as good back then. The guns from the 1930s seem to have been less prone to bulged barrels. Anecdotal, but if you want them to last, worth considering.
 
Radagast, thanks for the heads up on the ammo choice. They will be treated easy from here on. They were my fathers and grandfather service revolvers. They were both Chicago police. So the guns have earned their keep along time ago. They are still both shot but with easy loads. I have 357's and 45's for the bigger holes in paper.
 
MI2600:
You have a .32-20 Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th Change, manufactured in 1923.
The M&P designation refers to the .38 special built on the same fixed sight K frame.

Your gun has a heat treated cylinder, so it should be safe with current commercial ammo. Do not fire any 'rifle only' hand loads or any old jacketed ammo marked hi-speed through it. The high speed ammo was known for bulging barrels. In fact I suggest you check your barrel to see if it has a ring in it, this may be noticeable as a slight distortion along the sides. Current ammunition is loaded to be safe in these old revolvers.

Your gun lacks the positive hammer block safety introduced after a fatality with a dropped gun during WWII, I suggest you treat it as a 5 shooter, leaving the chamber under the hammer empty.
 
dogrunner:

There should be a K prefix to that serial number. If the serial number is K443xxx, then it is a first year of production gun from 1961.
 
Hello, got a couple more:

31-1, 4", square butt J frame, flat latch and diamond grips. 32 long. 7610xx. Should be between 61 and 66 right?

657, no dash, Square butt, 4", 41 mag, AJR47xx, guessing early 80s.


586-4, round butt, 357 mag, 2.5" bbl, BRF37xx, guessing 1993-1994.

Thank you in advance.
 
evan price:
Correct on the .32 Hand Ejector. 1961-66 is the best I can give you.
The Model 657 .41 Magnum Stainless has a serial number that dates to 1985. The model was released in 1986, so that's one of early guns.
586-4 .357 Distinguished Combat Magnum dates to around August 1994.
 
If someone could help me out with the year of this Model 36 it would be really appreciated.
Model 36
a).38
b)1 7/8
c)square
d)5 rounds
e)non adjustable
f) 527263
 
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