Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

[Eddietruett]

View attachment 841318 View attachment 841315 View attachment 841316 View attachment 841317

My wife’s Dad got this gun from his Dad and then he passed away about a year ago. He died very unexpectedly so all of his stuff goes to his wife, of course. She wants me to see what I can find out about it. Thanks for your help

What you have is a 3" J Frame Revolver. Probably a model 36 or 37 if the caliber is 38 special. There should be a model number inside the yoke opposite of the number shown in the first picture which is just an assembly number. According to the serial number it was shipped in 1969-1970. Should be a 36-1 stamped where the 36 is stamped on my attached photo

 

[Sseadog]

A) .22
B)4"
C) wood
D) 6
E) adjustable
F) M174977
G) 34-1

 

[Eddietruett]

A) .22
B)4"
C) wood
D) 6
E) adjustable
F) M174977
G) 34-1View attachment 842359

Shipped in 1981

 

[Sseadog]

Shipped in 1981

Thanks a bunch

 

[Barry loyd]

A: .38spl
B: 4in
C: pachmayr replacements
D: 6 shot
E: fixed
F: D559996
G: 10-6.
No photos yet, it’s on layaway.

 

[Eddietruett]

A: .38spl
B: 4in
C: pachmayr replacements
D: 6 shot
E: fixed
F: D559996
G: 10-6.
No photos yet, it’s on layaway.

D Prefix Model 10 Serial numbers D510001-D659901 were shipped 1973-1974. My guess would be yours was shipped in 1974

 

[Barry loyd]

D Prefix Model 10 Serial numbers D510001-D659901 were shipped 1973-1974. My guess would be yours was shipped in 1974

Thank you sir.

 

[BAMA John]

I have my father's S&W 38 Special that I would like to find out the approximate date of manufacture.
a) 38 caliber
b) 5" Barrel
c) grips square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed front sight
f) s/n 103720* No prefix, asterisk or star suffix
g) model looks like 26978 or 96978

38 S&W Special
US Service CTG'S

Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. USA
PAT'D March 27. 94. May 21. 95. July 10. 95. Aug 4. 96
Dec 22. 96. Oct 8. 01. Dec 17.01. Feb 6. 06

I think that it is a 5 screw frame.

 

[Eddietruett]

I have my father's S&W 38 Special that I would like to find out the approximate date of manufacture.
a) 38 caliber
b) 5" Barrel
c) grips square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed front sight
f) s/n 103720* No prefix, asterisk or star suffix
g) model looks like 26978 or 96978

38 S&W Special
US Service CTG'S

Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. USA
PAT'D March 27. 94. May 21. 95. July 10. 95. Aug 4. 96
Dec 22. 96. Oct 8. 01. Dec 17.01. Feb 6. 06

I think that it is a 5 screw frame.

If you can post some pictures it would help and also is it a 38 special or a 38 S&W?
A couple of guesses based on what you posted.
1. 38 Regulation Police (probably not, but maybe) if so produced sometime in late 1960's
2. 38 Special M&P. Serial number would put it around 1900

 

[BAMA John]

Thank you for the prompt reply Eddie.
I am not that good at uploading pictures, so I will give you more info. I think that my father had the gun before the late 1960's, so I don't think that it is the 38 Regulation Police.
On the left side of the barrel it says: 38 S&W Special US Service CTG'S
Top of the Barrel: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. USA
PAT'D March 27. 94. May 21. 95. July 10. 95. Aug 4. 96
Dec 22. 96. Oct 8. 01. Dec 17.01. Feb 6. 06 (so it would have to be latter than 1906)
Bottom of the Barrel: On the flat underside of the barrel 103720.
Gun frame, right side: Has the large entwined S&W logo Trade Mark on its right side, rollmarked into the side plate. Is NOT stamped "Made in USA" on the lower right front of the frame. Has a screw in the front of the trigger guard, making it a 5-screw frame.
On rear face of the cylinder 103720
Grips Right Side on Frame: Top: Number is small and hard to read. Looks like 58 or 59. Bottom Left: Number is small and hard to read. Looks like 4 . 49.
Bottom Right: Small and hard to read. Looks like a stamped inspection mark inside of a diamond shaped box.
Butt: Serial number stamped on the bottom of the steel grip frame reads 103720* Note asterisk or star suffix.
Holster (don't know if it is original) : Patent No. 1300700

Thanks and let me know if you need pictures.
:

 

[Eddietruett]

Right now I"m going with the early 1900's. If you want to send me pictures to my phone that's fine 843 409 2700. If that is easier.

 

[KandyR]

Hi all,

I have a Model 10-8, shows '38 S&W Special CTG' on the barrel:
a) 38 caliber
b) 5" Barrel (I believe, don't have it with me)
c) grips square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed front sight
f) s/n 84833, no prefixes or suffixes

Gun shop said it belonged to a police officer.

Thanks!

 

[Eddietruett]

Hi all,

I have a Model 10-8, shows '38 S&W Special CTG' on the barrel:
a) 38 caliber
b) 5" Barrel (I believe, don't have it with me)
c) grips square
d) 6 shot
e) fixed front sight
f) s/n 84833, no prefixes or suffixes

Gun shop said it belonged to a police officer.

Thanks!

The model 10-8 was made from 1977 to 1988. Not sure you have the serial number. It would be on the butt of the gun. Should have a K in the serial number or a 3 letter prefix

 

[J-Bar]

Please give me the manufacturing dates for two J-Frame .38 special snubbies:

Model 36-10, #CNJ0957

Model 60 no dash, #R211032

and if it's not too much more trouble, a K-Frame .38 Special snubby:

Model 10-5, #C682553

Thanks so much for the service!!

 

[Eddietruett]

Please give me the manufacturing dates for two J-Frame .38 special snubbies:

Model 36-10, #CNJ0957

Model 60 no dash, #R211032

and if it's not too much more trouble, a K-Frame .38 Special snubby:

Model 10-5, #C682553

Thanks so much for the service!!

Model 36-10 Should have shipped 2009-2010
Mode 60 1978
Model 10-5 1963-1964

 

[KandyR]

Correction to my request:
a) 4" barrel
b) serial # on frame E1 84833
c) serial # on butt 6D76433

Thanks

 

[Speedo66]

Could you please date this:

Model 65-4, BRY44xx

The numbers seem to be made of dots, rather than a solid stamp. Is this normal?

 

[Brian Dutton]

a) .38 SPL
b) 2”
c) square
d) 6
e) Fixed
f) AEW4202
g) Model 10-7

Looking for the mfg date for this revolver, believe it should be early to mid 80’s?

Thanks!

 

[Eddietruett]

Correction to my request:
a) 4" barrel
b) serial # on frame E1 84833
c) serial # on butt 6D76433

Thanks

View attachment 845250
View attachment 845248

Number on frame is an assembly number and means nothing.
Serial number is on the butt. 6D76433 was shipped in 1980

 

[Eddietruett]

Could you please date this:

Model 65-4, BRY44xx

The numbers seem to be made of dots, rather than a solid stamp. Is this normal?

It is common on newer guns. It is laser engraved instead of stamped. BRY prefix probably shipped in 1994. I found BRU and BRW shipping that year, so I'd go with 1994 or real close

 

[Eddietruett]

a) .38 SPL
b) 2”
c) square
d) 6
e) Fixed
f) AEW4202
g) Model 10-7

Looking for the mfg date for this revolver, believe it should be early to mid 80’s?

Thanks!

Shipped in 1985

 

[Speedo66]

It is common on newer guns. It is laser engraved instead of stamped. BRY prefix probably shipped in 1994. I found BRU and BRW shipping that year, so I'd go with 1994 or real close

Thanks so much!

They engraved the entire serial # over the model # under the crane also.

 

[Brian Dutton]

Shipped in 1985

Thanks for the information

 

[Eddietruett]

Thanks so much!

They engraved the entire serial # over the model # under the crane also.

I’ve had several like this model 686-5. It’s a hunting gun so I don’t care, but on a few others, I’ve buffed it off and carefully brought back the original finish with a gray scotchbrite pad. And no it’s not altering the serial number. The “official” serial number is still on the butt of the gun

 

[Bristol Mt.Man]

I have a K-38, model 14-3, 6", bl, target hammer,target trigger, #10K2567. Would like to know when it was made. Thank-you!