Smith and Wesson serial number search - Page 67

TenmaNeko · July 12, 2009, 07:27 PM

Okay, I got a chance to see the supposed Model 2 that my mom found. It looks to be too small to be a Model 2. It's also only a 5 shot model. The patents on top mention 1865, 69 and 75, and a Reissue in 1871. The cylinder is fluted, and the butt is round.

After some research of my own, I think this may be a Model 1 1/2.

Does that sound about right Radagast? I'm working on getting my mom to take some pics, if she can actually find her camera.

FlyFish · July 12, 2009, 09:58 PM

NGIB: According to SCSW, your 686 dates from November 1984. If it doesn't have the "M" it was not sent back for the recall. My understanding is that S&W is still modifying guns that are sent back and that they pay the shipping both ways. I have a couple from the same vintage, as well as a couple 586s, that I've never sent back and I've never had any cylinder locking problems, but they're strictly range guns - if I used any of them for PD I'd definitely send them back.

Radagast · July 13, 2009, 08:39 AM

TenmaNeko: You probably have a .32 Single Action (Model One & A Half Centerfire) These were a five shot .32 S&W (not long) single action revolver with a spur trigger ( no trigger guard) and a break top barrel. The barrel swings down to load and unload. These were made from 1878 to 1892. Patent dates seen on these guns include Jan 17 & 24 1865, July 11 1865, Aug. 24 1869, Feb 20 1877, & Reissue July 25, 1871. Values given by the Standard Catalog of S&W are heavily dependent on condition, ranging from $75 for a poor example to $1200 for as new. The original factory wooden case is worth $500 to $800.

These guns should not be confused with the model one & a half .32 rimfire which has a tip up barrel.

Tree Fiddy · July 13, 2009, 11:46 PM

I'm getting ready to sell one of my Smiths. It's a Model 19-7, serial BRB9060. Anybody know when it was manufactured? Thanks in advance.

Radagast · July 14, 2009, 03:28 AM

Tree Fiddy: Between May & August 1994. The model 19-7 was produced from 1994 to 1997 and was the last model without MIM parts. The model 19 was discontinued in November 1999.

Tree Fiddy · July 14, 2009, 03:08 PM

Thanks, Radagast.

Jim March · July 15, 2009, 12:57 AM

OK, I got one!

I'm cleaning a friend's S&W Bodyguard 38 in alloy (a model 38), SN J386xx, says "mod-38" under the crane, text on the right front frame area says "Made in USA" and "Springfield, MASS". Grips are round-butt, wood and match the frame's SN.

It's in perfect mechanical shape but has suffered some storage rust on the cylinder

taking it out of the "collector" category. No deep pitting, nothing that hurts function but it does have some remaining "roughness". It will make him a fine defensive piece (avoiding +P ammo of course!).

He has the box and all papers, too, even the grease paper inside the box! Damn.

Any idea year of make and value if it was mint?

Jackyl · July 15, 2009, 06:42 AM

Thanks Radagast!!! Wish I'd have seen this yesterday. I'll get some pics of all of them up soon.

#3 does have an exposed hammer, I believe it to be .38 S&W, and has S&W markings.

Radagast · July 15, 2009, 07:33 AM

Jackyl: Gun number three is a S&W .38 double action 4th Model. Manufactured between 1895 & 1909 in the serial number range 322701 to 539000. Your example with serial number 348xxx is a pre-1898 antique per BATF regulations, all guns of this model made prior to serial number 382022 are pre-1898, so yours is from the period 1895 to 1898.

This gun would have been made to shoot black powder .38 S&W cartridges. Modern smokeless ammunition will function in the gun, but will probably wear it out faster. If you are going to shoot it I suggest you get some black powder reloads.

Radagast · July 15, 2009, 07:38 AM

Jim March: J386xx falls in the period 1969-1970, serial range for those years was J1 to J99999. in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a As New In the Box value of $400 for the Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard. The Model 38 was produced from 1955 to 1999.

Jim March · July 15, 2009, 12:02 PM

Ah! A "late hippie period" piece

.

Cool. Thanks!

dmw · July 16, 2009, 09:52 AM

I have a .38 squeezer of my great-grandpa's. Could someone please help me find out the manufacture date? The serial number is only 5 digits 15xxx. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

jaybird64 · July 16, 2009, 01:02 PM

I just inherited a Smith and Wesson Model 66 .357 Magnum from my grandfather, who was a deputy in Wilmington, N.C., for years. I'm looking for information based on the serial number: 4K6xxx

Any help would be appreciated.

FlyFish · July 16, 2009, 01:45 PM

dmw: a .38 Safety Hammerless with that S/N should be a 2nd Model, and would date from 1887-1890.

jaybird64: 1974, and it should be a "no dash"

jaybird64 · July 16, 2009, 09:24 PM

Flyfish: What's a "no dash"?

FlyFish · July 16, 2009, 11:45 PM

"no dash" as in the original version of the particular model number. S&W signified (somewhat unevenly) certain design changes in their revolvers by appending dashes (i.e., 66-1, 66-2) to their model numbers. Based on the serial number, which indicates year of production, in the yoke cutout of your Model 66, where the model number is stamped on the frame, it should say simply "Mod 66" with no dash number.

CelticArmory · July 17, 2009, 12:35 AM

Ok, back to the classics. I was about to fill out the PDF form from S&W on this. A friend brought in a pistol for me to clean and tune up (has a slight hang in the cocking action once every 6-10 shots). I was wondering what you guys here could tell me about it.

It's a S&W M&P Victory Model 10 SN V4348xx. The barrel is marked with "Smith and Wesson" on the left side and "38 S&W CTG 38SPL" on the right. On the top of the frame it is stamped with "US Property CHD". There are several stampings on the right side of the frame ahead of and between the trigger guard and the cylinder.

I was hoping to find out the year of MFG better than 1940-1945 and what the "CHD" thing was.

Radagast · July 17, 2009, 04:50 AM

We can narrow it down a little, but not with any degree of precision. Serial number V1 was in 1942. In September 1944 the hammer block safety was introduced and the V prefix serial range terminated at V769000, replaced by the SV serial prefix.
Assuming production remained at a fairly constant rate, we can assume your friends gun was probably made in 1943, but this is only a guess.

I can't help you with the CHD markings. A copy of the book discussed here: http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2...right-arm.html may help you with further info.

eluu · July 17, 2009, 08:44 AM

Hi folks ...
Inherited a S&W 38 revolver from my father a couple years ago and would like to find out about when it was manufactured.
Left side of barrel: SMITH & WESSON
Right side of barrel: 38 S&W SPL.
Right side of body: MADE IN USA
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Inside the yoke: MOD 36 (on the frame)
45XXX
G2
Bottom of grip: 441JXX

Also, this firearm was stolen from my parents home sometime in 1976, and recovered sometime in 1978, so hand scratched on the right side of the frame is KM 1-14-77, which perhaps is the initials of the arresting LEO and date of recovery??

I thank you in advance for any info.

FlyFish · July 17, 2009, 10:29 AM

eluu - The Model 36 is the successor (after 1957) to the .38 Chiefs Special. The number on the bottom of the grip is the serial number - the other numbers inside the yoke cutout are called assembly numbers and were used to keep track of the parts of a particular gun when it was necessary to separate them during manufacture for operations such as blueing. That serial number places the date of manufacture in the 1971-72 timeframe. Regular production of the Model 36 was discontinued in 1999.

CelticArmory · July 17, 2009, 10:31 AM

Thanks,, Radagast, I'll see if I can find the book. I think I'd rather have the book than the letter from S&W that costs $50.

eluu · July 17, 2009, 10:42 AM

Thank you FlyFish for the info.

I'm curious though, anyone know what's with the "MARCAS REGISTRADAS" on the side??

FlyFish · July 17, 2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

I'm curious though, anyone know what's with the "MARCAS REGISTRADAS" on the side??

It's Spanish for "Registered [Trade]marks" and I understand it was introduced in the 1930s in response to counterfeit Smiths that were flooding the market in Mexico and Central America.

gto4life · July 17, 2009, 09:46 PM

Hi. I just acquired my new favorite revolver. I'm curious to its age and collectability. And whether or not it is factory length barrel. It is a Model 25-5
blue finish 45LC adj sites. From the front of the cylinder to the tip of the barrel measures 2.6 inches. Serial #N844638 Round butt with Pach grips. Thanks for any help you can provide.

FlyFish · July 18, 2009, 07:00 AM

gto4life - 25-5s were made from 1978 to 1988. With an S/N starting with "N8" yours is from the 1980 to 83 period. Pinned barrels were dropped in 1982, so if it has one it's more likely from the earlier part of that range; if not, more likely the later part. To the best of my knowledge, the shortest factory barrel was 4".

Earlier Model 25-5s, and yours may fall into that category, have a reputation for overly large cylinder throats, which allegedly can result in poor accuracy. I have one from 1980 with a 4" barrel that definitely has the large throats but the accuracy is just fine. More information on that here.

July 13, 2009, 11:46 PM	#1654
Tree Fiddy Junior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Location: GA Posts: 13	Model 19-7 I'm getting ready to sell one of my Smiths. It's a Model 19-7, serial BRB9060. Anybody know when it was manufactured? Thanks in advance.

July 15, 2009, 12:57 AM	#1657
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	OK, I got one! I'm cleaning a friend's S&W Bodyguard 38 in alloy (a model 38), SN J386xx, says "mod-38" under the crane, text on the right front frame area says "Made in USA" and "Springfield, MASS". Grips are round-butt, wood and match the frame's SN. It's in perfect mechanical shape but has suffered some storage rust on the cylinder taking it out of the "collector" category. No deep pitting, nothing that hurts function but it does have some remaining "roughness". It will make him a fine defensive piece (avoiding +P ammo of course!). He has the box and all papers, too, even the grease paper inside the box! Damn. Any idea year of make and value if it was mint? __________________ Jim March

July 15, 2009, 12:02 PM	#1661
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	Ah! A "late hippie period" piece . Cool. Thanks! __________________ Jim March

July 16, 2009, 09:52 AM	#1662
dmw Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2009 Posts: 1	.38 revolver I have a .38 squeezer of my great-grandpa's. Could someone please help me find out the manufacture date? The serial number is only 5 digits 15xxx. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

July 16, 2009, 01:02 PM	#1663
jaybird64 Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2009 Posts: 2	Serial number question I just inherited a Smith and Wesson Model 66 .357 Magnum from my grandfather, who was a deputy in Wilmington, N.C., for years. I'm looking for information based on the serial number: 4K6xxx Any help would be appreciated.

July 12, 2009, 07:27 PM	#1651
TenmaNeko Member Join Date: June 10, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 62	Okay, I got a chance to see the supposed Model 2 that my mom found. It looks to be too small to be a Model 2. It's also only a 5 shot model. The patents on top mention 1865, 69 and 75, and a Reissue in 1871. The cylinder is fluted, and the butt is round. After some research of my own, I think this may be a Model 1 1/2. Does that sound about right Radagast? I'm working on getting my mom to take some pics, if she can actually find her camera.

July 12, 2009, 09:58 PM	#1652
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,727	NGIB: According to SCSW, your 686 dates from November 1984. If it doesn't have the "M" it was not sent back for the recall. My understanding is that S&W is still modifying guns that are sent back and that they pay the shipping both ways. I have a couple from the same vintage, as well as a couple 586s, that I've never sent back and I've never had any cylinder locking problems, but they're strictly range guns - if I used any of them for PD I'd definitely send them back.

July 13, 2009, 08:39 AM	#1653
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	TenmaNeko: You probably have a .32 Single Action (Model One & A Half Centerfire) These were a five shot .32 S&W (not long) single action revolver with a spur trigger ( no trigger guard) and a break top barrel. The barrel swings down to load and unload. These were made from 1878 to 1892. Patent dates seen on these guns include Jan 17 & 24 1865, July 11 1865, Aug. 24 1869, Feb 20 1877, & Reissue July 25, 1871. Values given by the Standard Catalog of S&W are heavily dependent on condition, ranging from $75 for a poor example to $1200 for as new. The original factory wooden case is worth $500 to $800. These guns should not be confused with the model one & a half .32 rimfire which has a tip up barrel.

July 14, 2009, 03:28 AM	#1655
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	Tree Fiddy: Between May & August 1994. The model 19-7 was produced from 1994 to 1997 and was the last model without MIM parts. The model 19 was discontinued in November 1999.

July 14, 2009, 03:08 PM	#1656
Tree Fiddy Junior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Location: GA Posts: 13	Thanks, Radagast.

July 15, 2009, 06:42 AM	#1658
Jackyl Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Posts: 34	Thanks Radagast!!! Wish I'd have seen this yesterday. I'll get some pics of all of them up soon. #3 does have an exposed hammer, I believe it to be .38 S&W, and has S&W markings.

July 15, 2009, 07:33 AM	#1659
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	Jackyl: Gun number three is a S&W .38 double action 4th Model. Manufactured between 1895 & 1909 in the serial number range 322701 to 539000. Your example with serial number 348xxx is a pre-1898 antique per BATF regulations, all guns of this model made prior to serial number 382022 are pre-1898, so yours is from the period 1895 to 1898. This gun would have been made to shoot black powder .38 S&W cartridges. Modern smokeless ammunition will function in the gun, but will probably wear it out faster. If you are going to shoot it I suggest you get some black powder reloads.

July 15, 2009, 07:38 AM	#1660
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	Jim March: J386xx falls in the period 1969-1970, serial range for those years was J1 to J99999. in 2006 the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a As New In the Box value of $400 for the Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard. The Model 38 was produced from 1955 to 1999.

July 16, 2009, 01:45 PM	#1664
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,727	dmw: a .38 Safety Hammerless with that S/N should be a 2nd Model, and would date from 1887-1890. jaybird64: 1974, and it should be a "no dash"

July 16, 2009, 09:24 PM	#1665
jaybird64 Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2009 Posts: 2	Flyfish: What's a "no dash"?

July 16, 2009, 11:45 PM	#1666
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,727	"no dash" as in the original version of the particular model number. S&W signified (somewhat unevenly) certain design changes in their revolvers by appending dashes (i.e., 66-1, 66-2) to their model numbers. Based on the serial number, which indicates year of production, in the yoke cutout of your Model 66, where the model number is stamped on the frame, it should say simply "Mod 66" with no dash number.

July 17, 2009, 12:35 AM	#1667
CelticArmory Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 5	Ok, back to the classics. I was about to fill out the PDF form from S&W on this. A friend brought in a pistol for me to clean and tune up (has a slight hang in the cocking action once every 6-10 shots). I was wondering what you guys here could tell me about it. It's a S&W M&P Victory Model 10 SN V4348xx. The barrel is marked with "Smith and Wesson" on the left side and "38 S&W CTG 38SPL" on the right. On the top of the frame it is stamped with "US Property CHD". There are several stampings on the right side of the frame ahead of and between the trigger guard and the cylinder. I was hoping to find out the year of MFG better than 1940-1945 and what the "CHD" thing was.

July 17, 2009, 04:50 AM	#1668
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	We can narrow it down a little, but not with any degree of precision. Serial number V1 was in 1942. In September 1944 the hammer block safety was introduced and the V prefix serial range terminated at V769000, replaced by the SV serial prefix. Assuming production remained at a fairly constant rate, we can assume your friends gun was probably made in 1943, but this is only a guess. I can't help you with the CHD markings. A copy of the book discussed here: http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2...right-arm.html may help you with further info.

July 17, 2009, 08:44 AM	#1669
eluu Junior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: in the woods Posts: 14	Hi folks ... Inherited a S&W 38 revolver from my father a couple years ago and would like to find out about when it was manufactured. Left side of barrel: SMITH & WESSON Right side of barrel: 38 S&W SPL. Right side of body: MADE IN USA MARCAS REGISTRADAS SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS. Inside the yoke: MOD 36 (on the frame) 45XXX G2 Bottom of grip: 441JXX Also, this firearm was stolen from my parents home sometime in 1976, and recovered sometime in 1978, so hand scratched on the right side of the frame is KM 1-14-77, which perhaps is the initials of the arresting LEO and date of recovery?? I thank you in advance for any info.

July 17, 2009, 10:29 AM	#1670
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,727	eluu - The Model 36 is the successor (after 1957) to the .38 Chiefs Special. The number on the bottom of the grip is the serial number - the other numbers inside the yoke cutout are called assembly numbers and were used to keep track of the parts of a particular gun when it was necessary to separate them during manufacture for operations such as blueing. That serial number places the date of manufacture in the 1971-72 timeframe. Regular production of the Model 36 was discontinued in 1999.

July 17, 2009, 10:31 AM	#1671
CelticArmory Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 5	Thanks,, Radagast, I'll see if I can find the book. I think I'd rather have the book than the letter from S&W that costs $50.

July 17, 2009, 10:42 AM	#1672
eluu Junior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: in the woods Posts: 14	Thank you FlyFish for the info. I'm curious though, anyone know what's with the "MARCAS REGISTRADAS" on the side??

July 17, 2009, 09:46 PM	#1674
gto4life Junior Member Join Date: July 17, 2009 Posts: 5	S&W serial numbers Hi. I just acquired my new favorite revolver. I'm curious to its age and collectability. And whether or not it is factory length barrel. It is a Model 25-5 blue finish 45LC adj sites. From the front of the cylinder to the tip of the barrel measures 2.6 inches. Serial #N844638 Round butt with Pach grips. Thanks for any help you can provide.

July 18, 2009, 07:00 AM	#1675
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,727	gto4life - 25-5s were made from 1978 to 1988. With an S/N starting with "N8" yours is from the 1980 to 83 period. Pinned barrels were dropped in 1982, so if it has one it's more likely from the earlier part of that range; if not, more likely the later part. To the best of my knowledge, the shortest factory barrel was 4". Earlier Model 25-5s, and yours may fall into that category, have a reputation for overly large cylinder throats, which allegedly can result in poor accuracy. I have one from 1980 with a 4" barrel that definitely has the large throats but the accuracy is just fine. More information on that here.

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