Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

jnw8w8 said:
MFG dates requested. Thanks in advance.

S&W 686
a) caliber: .38, .357
b) bbl length: 6"
c) grips shape: square
d) number of cylinder bores: 6
e) type of sights: adjustable rear, blade front w/ red insert
f) serial number: BES15XX
g) Model number under the crane: 686-3

S&W 640 PRO
a) caliber: .38, .357
b) bbl length: 2 1/8”
c) grips shape: round
d) number cylinder bores: 5
e) type of sights: trijicon Night Sights
f) serial number: CZA43XX
g) Model number under the crane. 640 -1
Click to expand...

Model 686 Most likely shipped in 1989
Model 640 not real sure, the only CZ Prefix I can find is 2015
 
Thank you Eddie. These dates sound about right. I appreciate you digging these dates up for me.
 
4584286D-8AD4-4529-A366-A1F8621FE7FE.jpeg Hello all,
New member here. Having trouble finding info on this pistol. New to S&W and revolvers. Usually shoot sporting clays. The gun was all locked up when I received it. The extractor pin was unscrewed and causing the cylinder to not turn, extract and the hammer wouldn’t cock. Got it all fixed up last night.
Marked- ‘United States Property’
Any help identifying it would be appreciated.
Thanks!
E1257791-658C-4F39-BEFF-F8A572A809B0.jpeg 4584286D-8AD4-4529-A366-A1F8621FE7FE.jpeg E1257791-658C-4F39-BEFF-F8A572A809B0.jpeg 01B9BB7C-9F28-4737-A5D6-13D21207A4A5.jpeg 29A32A31-1394-4E4B-BF1D-F4A86854F670.jpeg E729A094-5579-4510-9AF3-46DC277FED4B.jpeg 6568EF6D-58DB-489B-8134-2F3B763295C3.jpeg 060AB20C-9AA7-453D-8FE4-388F295586D8.jpeg BC508E6C-EDD5-4743-85A5-D090A3421160.jpeg
a) S&W 38 ctg
b) bbl length approx. 5” (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips shape- square
d) 6 shot cylinder
e) type of sights- open, nothing on the rear
f) serial number, 256905 is on the butt, cylinder and
g) Model number if it is under the crane. Not sure about this.
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).
 
Oranges4apples said:
View attachment 862383 Hello all,
New member here. Having trouble finding info on this pistol. New to S&W and revolvers. Usually shoot sporting clays. The gun was all locked up when I received it. The extractor pin was unscrewed and causing the cylinder to not turn, extract and the hammer wouldn’t cock. Got it all fixed up last night.
Marked- ‘United States Property’
Any help identifying it would be appreciated.
Thanks!
View attachment 862384 View attachment 862383 View attachment 862384 View attachment 862385 View attachment 862386 View attachment 862387 View attachment 862388 View attachment 862389 View attachment 862391
a) S&W 38 ctg
b) bbl length approx. 5” (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips shape- square
d) 6 shot cylinder
e) type of sights- open, nothing on the rear
f) serial number, 256905 is on the butt, cylinder and
g) Model number if it is under the crane. Not sure about this.
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).
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum!

Here is some information about your S&W Victory Model-
http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm

A word of caution, it is chambered for the short .38S&W cartridge, not .38 Special.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Your serial number puts that gun in the 1943 maybe 1944 range but that's a guess since the "V" to do vIctory serial number is fan from 1942 to 1945 running from V1 to V800000.
Click to expand...

Pretty Cool this was made during WW2.
Thanks for the info AACD. The V is on the left side of the lanyard hook, now that I know what it is, I’ve been checking them out online. Most have the V on the right side. Also has the letters GH on there too.
 

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Model 57 - I have been looking for a Model 57 for a long time and am very pleased to have finally found one available locally. Would appreciate knowing the year manufactured.

.41 Magnum
6" barrel
Square butt
6 shots
Adjustable sights
Serial number N490181
Stamped MOD. 57 below the serial number (under crane)

Apologies on the picture quality.

Thanks,
Jim IMG_7164.JPG IMG_7165.JPG IMG_7166.JPG IMG_7167.JPG
 
James Newman said:
Model 57 - I have been looking for a Model 57 for a long time and am very pleased to have finally found one available locally. Would appreciate knowing the year manufactured.

.41 Magnum
6" barrel
Square butt
6 shots
Adjustable sights
Serial number N490181
Stamped MOD. 57 below the serial number (under crane)

Apologies on the picture quality.

Thanks,
JimView attachment 862599 View attachment 862600 View attachment 862601 View attachment 862602
Click to expand...

Your gun was shipped in late 1978.
 
Sistema1927 said:
@Oranges4apples , does your Victory model have foreign proof marks? The importer mark shows that it has been re-imported from overseas. I am guessing that it might have been sent to the United Kingdom as a lend lease revolver.
Click to expand...

There does not appear to be a proof mark. There is no P on the left side of the receiver near the hammer as the example from the link to coolguns showed. Is there anywhere else I should look?
I did take it out yesterday and put some rounds through it. As accurate as any gun I’ve shot and with a light recoil. Easy to shoot and lots of fun!
 
I just picked up a S&W pre-Model 43, 22/32 kit gun. No model #, flat latch, 22lr, 6 shot, 3 1/2" barrel, sq. butt, adj. sights, serial # 14341.

It has aluminum frame, coil mainspring, and does not have the fourth sideplate screw below the rear sight. Any and all info would be appreciated! Thanks
 
geologger said:
I just picked up a S&W pre-Model 43, 22/32 kit gun. No model #, flat latch, 22lr, 6 shot, 3 1/2" barrel, sq. butt, adj. sights, serial # 14341.

It has aluminum frame, coil mainspring, and does not have the fourth sideplate screw below the rear sight. Any and all info would be appreciated! Thanks
Click to expand...

I would say probably shipped in 1956. serial number 11000 started in 1955 and serial number 52673 started om 1959. Sort of have to guess at the math but you can average it out and be close.
 
.38 Special said:
View attachment 863947 View attachment 863948

A Model of 1950 Military, 5", .44 Special, S 149679. Need to get it lettered but am curious about ship date.
Click to expand...

Shipped late 1956. What a beautiful gun and my birthday year as well!! According to my ex wife 1956 was a terrible year and one should not drink any alcohol made in that year either. I'm thinking since that gun was made in a bad year, it is probably full of bad Karma and you should let me safe keep it for you until all the bad Karma is removed. I'll return it when all is clear.
 
Huh. Fast Eddie, is what I'm guessing they call you. I will gladly let you hold on to it but will need a model of 1926 as collateral. (And thank you for the info.)
 
E717ADF5-5267-48FB-8B29-F019D8289012.jpeg Hi, I recently received an old .38 revolver that once belonged to my late father. Family legend has it that he bought two S&W .38s from a deputy sheriff in the Mississippi delta in the 50s or 60s. The guns were supposedly confiscated from some local ne’er-do-wells (would love to hear the details on that). Anyway, he kept the better one and gave the other to his son-in-law, who recently passed it on to me. The “better one” was later stolen, the details on this one are as follows:

SN 333295
4” barrel
nickel plated
Wood (walnut?) handles
Last patent date on barrel is 1914

Cosmetically, it’s pretty rough but mechanically is functional. Brother-in-law says it shoots but has some leakage around chamber (says to wear a glove, lol.) Not looking to have it restored, looks cool as is, but want to fix any mechanical issues.

Any information is greatly appreciated, including recommendations on ammo. Thanks for your help!
 
Last edited:
Jimmy Hendricks said:
View attachment 865598 Hi, I recently received an old .38 revolver that once belonged to my late father. Family legend has it that he bought two S&W .38s from a deputy sheriff in the Mississippi delta in the 50s or 60s. The guns were supposedly confiscated from some local ne’er-do-wells (would love to hear the details on that). Anyway, he kept the better one and gave the other to his son-in-law, who recently passed it on to me. The “better one” was later stolen, the details on this one are as follows:

SN 333295
4” barrel
nickel plated
Wood (walnut?) handles
Last patent date on barrel is 1914

Cosmetically, it’s pretty rough but mechanically is functional. Brother-in-law says it shoots but has some leakage around chamber (says to wear a glove, lol.) Not looking to have it restored, looks cool as is, but want to fix any mechanical issues.

Any information is greatly appreciated, including recommendations on ammo. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

If I got this right that revolver left the S&W factory in 1929. I'm guessing it's a .38 S&W and not a .38 Special. In any case I would only shoot standard pressure lead bullet ammo in that old girl.

If you use some 0000 steel wool and a good gun oil you can rub out that rust without removing any finish still remaining. Nice gun, great story.
 
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