The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

BillCA · March 5, 2005, 10:26 AM

Your S&W is most likely an early Model 37 "Airweight" produced sometime between 1957 and 1993. If your gun's serial number does not have a "J" prefix, it was made before 1969 which seems likely given the serial number. Open the cylinder and check the frame below the barrel for the markings "Mod 37" or "Mod 37-x" (where "x" is a number). This will identify the gun more specifically.

If your gun does not have a model number marked on the frame it may have been filled in by the gun coating or it may be a "pre-Model 37" -- named the Chief's Special Airweight. These guns were made from 1953 to 1957 when they started receiving the Model 37 stamping on the frame.

Some of the earliest models were made with alloy cylinders which were replaced with steel cylinders due to cracking. The highest known serial number with alloy cylinders was 44xxx so yours should be steel (use a magnet to test).

A NIB pre-37 is valued at $400 and a much used gun, especially one with a non-factory refinish will probably fetch between $200 and $225.

March 5, 2005, 10:26 AM	#3
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	Your S&W is most likely an early Model 37 "Airweight" produced sometime between 1957 and 1993. If your gun's serial number does not have a "J" prefix, it was made before 1969 which seems likely given the serial number. Open the cylinder and check the frame below the barrel for the markings "Mod 37" or "Mod 37-x" (where "x" is a number). This will identify the gun more specifically. If your gun does not have a model number marked on the frame it may have been filled in by the gun coating or it may be a "pre-Model 37" -- named the Chief's Special Airweight. These guns were made from 1953 to 1957 when they started receiving the Model 37 stamping on the frame. Some of the earliest models were made with alloy cylinders which were replaced with steel cylinders due to cracking. The highest known serial number with alloy cylinders was 44xxx so yours should be steel (use a magnet to test). A NIB pre-37 is valued at $400 and a much used gun, especially one with a non-factory refinish will probably fetch between $200 and $225. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)