Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W Revolvers

Hi Eddie:

I just added the following to my armory:

Smith and Wesson model 60-4, J-Frame (5-shot) .38 Special, serial number CAN0648, round butt, 3" barrel, adjustable sights, target hammer and trigger. The accompanying factory plastic box label matches the above information and includes a "Special Order # ----" which I will share with you if you need it. The gun came with the original factory rubber grip and a pair of J-SQ rosewood grips.

I think the combination of 3" barrel, adjustable sights, and target hammer and trigger may mean I have a revolver that was not made in large quantities. If you can identify the date of manufacture and any other information will be appreciated.

Thanks for the service and Merry Christmas! :)
 
RevolvingGarbage said:
Sorry, .32S&W
Click to expand...
RevolvingGarbage said:
I think I have the date pretty close on this one, but I wanted an excuse to share pics anyway and any extra info would be great.
View attachment 877361
View attachment 877362
View attachment 877363

All parts are matching, and the serial number is 359XX. The last patent date on the barrel rib appears to be Aug 4,'85
Click to expand...

Pretty sure you have a .32 Safety hammerless 1st Model. Serial Number range 1-91417 produced from 1888-1902. I would guess yours around 1900?
 
J-Bar said:
Hi Eddie:

I just added the following to my armory:

Smith and Wesson model 60-4, J-Frame (5-shot) .38 Special, serial number CAN0648, round butt, 3" barrel, adjustable sights, target hammer and trigger. The accompanying factory plastic box label matches the above information and includes a "Special Order # ----" which I will share with you if you need it. The gun came with the original factory rubber grip and a pair of J-SQ rosewood grips.

I think the combination of 3" barrel, adjustable sights, and target hammer and trigger may mean I have a revolver that was not made in large quantities. If you can identify the date of manufacture and any other information will be appreciated.

Thanks for the service and Merry Christmas! :)
Click to expand...

CAN Prefix shipped in 1996. You might be able to call S&W for more info, but I don't think they can or will tell you how many were made or shipped. Did find a product code that says these were made from 1996-99 but does not give any indication of how many made.
 
OK, here's one---
a. .38 Special
b. 1 7/8"
c. square butt
d. 5 shot
e. fixed sights
f. 47797X
g. MOD.60

Other information---Hammer and trigger are case hardened a sort of plum brown. Serial number from butt is repeated on reverse of the right grip panel and assembly number from yoke is repeated on grip frame under the left grip panel.
I have been searching around the internet for a while with no joy---all results are forum posts from 2013 or advertisements for ancient sales.
Ball park figure for birthday of this little feller would be nice. Any and all effort is appreciated.
-----krinko
 
Here is one I need help with

a) .38 spl
b) 2”
c) square
d) 6
e) fixed
f) D8309xx
g) 10-5
 
SW686-1

SW686-1

Here is one that I bought over 30 years ago and I did not save the box. I believe I bought it back in 1987.

a) .357 magnum
b) 6" barrel
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) Fix front adjustable rear sight for windage
f) AVV44XX (This number is taken from the under the barrel)
g) 686-1

Thank you for any information that you can give me.
 
Last edited:
Looking at a 32 HE in very nice shape. Serial number is in the mid 80,000 (old and memory sucks) it is a 32 S&W Long.

I don't think you will need the rest but here it is

Capacity 6 32 SW Long
4 maybe 4 1/4" barrel
Round butt
Fixed sights
No letters in the serial number
No model number in the crane
Blue
Added: Looking for a manufacture date.
 
Last edited:
krinko said:
OK, here's one---
a. .38 Special
b. 1 7/8"
c. square butt
d. 5 shot
e. fixed sights
f. 47797X
g. MOD.60

Other information---Hammer and trigger are case hardened a sort of plum brown. Serial number from butt is repeated on reverse of the right grip panel and assembly number from yoke is repeated on grip frame under the left grip panel.
I have been searching around the internet for a while with no joy---all results are forum posts from 2013 or advertisements for ancient sales.
Ball park figure for birthday of this little feller would be nice. Any and all effort is appreciated.
-----krinko
Click to expand...

Kind of an educated guess but serial numbers on early 60's ran from 295000 in 1962 to 786544 in 1969 when they went to a R prefix. Based on the math, I would say yours shipped around 1965
 
Tony617 said:
SW686-1

SW686-1

Here is one that I bought over 30 years ago and I did not save the box. I believe I bought it back in 1987.

a) .357 magnum
b) 6" barrel
c) square
d) 6 shot
e) Fix front adjustable rear sight for windage
f) AVV44XX (This number is taken from the under the barrel)
g) 686-1

Thank you for any information that you can give me.
Click to expand...

Shipped in 1987
 
Johnm1 said:
Looking at a 32 HE in very nice shape. Serial number is in the mid 80,000 (old and memory sucks) it is a 32 S&W Long.

I don't think you will need the rest but here it is

Capacity 6 32 SW Long
4 maybe 4 1/4" barrel
Round butt
Fixed sights
No letters in the serial number
No model number in the crane
Blue
Added: Looking for a manufacture date.
Click to expand...

32 hand ejector 2nd change serial numbers ran 51127 in 1906 to 95900 in 1909.
 
A. .32sw
B. 2 3/4" to front of cylinder, 3 1/" to back;
C. Square butt;
D. 5 round capacity;
E. Fixed;
F. 31521 0n butt;
G. New departure safety hammerless 1st model.

I know it was made 1888-1902, but hoped to nail down year made. Thanks!
 
bob4 said:
Haven't been around on the handgun bench or forums for a while. Been loading for rifle mostly the last 5 yrs or so.
Recently have been given S&W 357 Mag/w 6" barrel (686-2). I've only shot 38's out of it so far and I really liked shooting them. So I want to load some 38's for plinking. Attaining accuracy would be fun.
Should / can I just go with 357 Brass in case I want to make the switch to 357? I'm sure curiosity will get the best of me. I'll be loading on a Dillon 550B. Have loaded for 40 Cal and 9mm.

Here's what I have.
  • Blue Dot, Tite group,Power pistol,Hi skor 700X.
  • I have both Small pistol and small pistol MAGS primers.
  • Can Magnum primers be used in the 38 loads if I keep away from max loads? Thinking smaller inventory
What I need. Suggestions on all are appreciated.
  • Dies. Are Carbide dies worth the extra $ ? I use Redding dies for rifle and have been happy.
  • Brass. Can I just use 357 brass?
  • Bullets.. Thinking middle upper end of the road in weight. Want to be able to control this thing. ;) Some may be shot at a indoor range. Steel isn't an option there.
Click to expand...

Phil from Kansas said:
A. .32sw
B. 2 3/4" to front of cylinder, 3 1/" to back;
C. Square butt;
D. 5 round capacity;
E. Fixed;
F. 31521 0n butt;
G. New departure safety hammerless 1st model.

I know it was made 1888-1902, but hoped to nail down year made. Thanks!
Click to expand...

That is as close as my books can get as well. Only way to get any closer would probably spend $100 for a letter. It would tell you the day it shipped and where it shipped to. Smith does not have date on manufacturing, only shipping. Sometimes letters give interesting info and sometimes it is pretty much a waste of time
 
Brian Williams said:
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...
Click to expand...

a) 38 special
b) 4 inch barrel
c) square butt
d) 6 shot
e)fixed sights
f) BHT 2xxx
g) mod 10-10
 
Sorry. I must have made this post twice and don't know how to delete one.
Can you please tell me the date of mfg on my revolver:
357
6"
square butt
target adj sights
41K8884
Mod 19-4
Thanks.
 
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