Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Matt Dillon]

Friends, looking at a S&W 66-1, pinned and recessed

a).357 Magnum caliber
b) 4" barrel
c) Square - the grips are in just about unused shape
d) Number of shots/cylinder bores - 6
e) Type of sights- orange ramp front, black adjustable rear
f) serial number - found under the crane, 50K7XXX
g) Model number if it is under the crane. - 66-1

It is in great condition; the stainless steel is nice and bright, the cylinder is nice and tight and has a very minor, light drag mark.

Does anyone know the year of manufacturer and approximate street price?

 

[jmace57]

Matt - 1978 or (more likely) 1979 on the date... No idea on the price.

 

[Bullseye]

I believe I have a S&W model 27-2 in 8 3/8 blue. .357 mag pinned barrel, wide serrated trigger. Cartridges are recessed and flush in cylinder. Target sights. N frame square butt.
The serial number is N208096
Could you please tell me date of mfg? Thank you.

 

[Radagast]

The N2xxxxx serial range was used from 1974-1977, with the last half of the serial range used for the service grade Model 28 and Model 58.
The N3xxxxx range was used for premium guns from 1975.
Based on the above, I'm confident your gun was manufactured in 1974 or early 1975.

 

[Bullseye]

Thank you Radagast!

 

[Waveski]

My latest K frame.

a) Caliber : 38 S&W Special
b) Bbl. : 6 1/2"
c) Grip shape : square
d) Capacity : 6 rounds
e) Sights : half moon blade front ; milled open rear
f) ser. # 162666 (On the barrel above the ejector rod there is an M preceding 162666
g) model # : none noted on crane , only the M as stated on underside of barrel

Your help will be deeply appreciated. 'Ski

 

[Radagast]

Based on the serial number, its a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 3rd Change manufactured circa 1909-1915 in the serial range 146900-241703. So probably 1909 or 1910 based on the early serial number.
Predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard pressure lead loads.

 

[Waveski]

Thank you , Sir Radagast of OZ!

 

[il.bill]

My latest S&W K-Frame Revolver - it is threaded for a (missing) lanyard ring. Victory model?

a) Caliber : .38 S&W Special
b) Bbl. : 4"
c) Grip shape : square
d) Capacity : 6 rounds
e) Sights : Fixed
f) Serial Number (on bottom of butt): V77700

Thanks in advance, and keep up the good work!

Bill

 

[Radagast]

The V prefix indicates its a Victory model or British Service Revolver, probably from late 1941 or early 1942.
Many BSRs were converted to .38 Special after WWII. Check the cylinder. If the chambers appear to have two steps in it, then it's a converted BSR. If only one step where the case mouth sits, then it's a Victory Model.

 

[Waveski]

Allow me to add :

If the revolver has been "converted" it may have a ".38 special" stamp on the forward right side of the frame. Furthermore , if it has been "converted" it will likely not be a good shooter in .38 special due to the slightly smaller case diameter of the longer special cartridge. Split and stuck casings : my experience.

Load .38 S&W ammunition whether converted or not.

 

[chicken_man]

S&W K Frame Revolver that I picked up yesterday from a friend of my father.

a) Caliber : .38 S&W Special
b) Bbl. : 4"
c) Grip shape : square
d) Capacity : 6 rounds
e) Sights : Fixed
f) Serial Number (on bottom of butt): C227779

 

[Radagast]

chicken_man:
Your .38 Military & Police Post War / Pre-Model 10 was manufactured in 1952. The grips are not OEM.
If the hammer and trigger are chromed instead of case hardened, then it has an aftermarket refinish.

 

[TkIron]

What year is a

What year is this Smith & Wesson Model 64?
a) 38 spc
b) 4"
c) Square
d) Six
e) Fixed
f) BPZ67**
g) 64-5
Thank You.

 

[Radagast]

TkIron: Your Model 64-5 .38 Military & Police Stainless was manufactured in 1993.

 

[TkIron]

Thank You.

 

[hdwhit]

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.

a) 38 Special
b) 2 inches
c) Round
d) 5
e) fixed
f) 606J84
g) Model 36

This was my grandmother's pistol.

My grandfather was a marksmanship instructor at Ft. Benning during World War II. He was an expert and a gifted teacher. He taught me how to shoot many years after he retired. When he met my grandmother, he took her shooting figuring he could impress her. As he tells it, he shot a 97/100. She shot 100/100. That was when he knew he had to win her heart - and in time he did.

I know from family lore this .38 was only fired in anger once (I still have the original box of ammunition as well as the spent shell casing), but would appreciate any information about its history that is available.

Thank you.

 

[Radagast]

hdwhit:
Your model 36 .38 Chiefs Special was manufactured in 1971 or 1972, with 1972 more likely.

 

[Old Sandman 71]

A date for my revolver...

Model 1905 4th change
.32-20
5 inch barrel
Blued
Square butt
Walnut diamond grips
Sn# from under side of barrel above ejector: B 94329
Number inside crane housing: 72866
My limited resources tell me it was manufactured 1915-1940, can you narrow it down any?

Thanks

 

[Radagast]

Old Sandman 71:
Between 1915 (serial number 65701) & May 1919 (serial number 81287) when heat treatment of cylinders was introduced.
The n
on matching barrel serial means the gun has been re-barreled. Bulged barrels were not uncommon with these guns from rifle only rounds being fired through them.
It predates the positive hammer block safety found in current guns, so treat it as a 5 shooter and leave the hammer down on an empty chamber.

 

[Old Sandman 71]

Radagast:
Thanks again for your reply.
In regards to the 1905 4th change in .32-20, (post 6322) please give me an education...
The number 94329 appears three times on this pistol. On the grip frame, cylinder face, and underside of barrel (the only place that shows "B 94329").
If the number in recess of the frame (72886) where the crane locks into the frame is the serial number, what is the significance of 94329?
Thanks again.

 

[Radagast]

Old Sandman 71:
OK, the number on the grip frame is the serial number. On earlier guns it was also duplicated on the cylinder and barrel.
The number in the cylinder yoke cut out is an assembly number, used to track parts in the factory. It wasn't until large target grips that cover the bottom of the frame became common that S&W duplicated the serial number in the cylinder yoke cut.
So serial number 94329 means a gun manufactured between 1920 (serial number 87900) and 1923 (serial number 111600). If stamped Made In USA on the right side, then its post May 1922. If not, then earlier. The cylinder is heat treated, the hammer block is still 'non-positive'.

 

[Gcdpt]

38 s&w special
1 7/8
Round
5
Fixed
924**
H 10149

 

[Radagast]

Gcdpt:
That serial number indicates a Model 32 .38/32 Terrier in .38 S&W, not .38 S&W Special. It's not impossible that a .38 special was stamped in the wrong serial number range.
The serial number dates to 1969 or 1970, with 1969 more likely.

 

[gunfighter784]

Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers



Hi, A friend of mine owns this S&W Revolver.
38 special
4 inch barrel
Square
Serial Number: 306610
Nickel Finish
Fixed blade sight