Smith and Wesson serial number search

[custer13]

Thanks Laytonj1 for the dating. I thought it was either 1969 or 1970, but not sure. Wasn't sure about plus P cartridges either. Thanks again

Stanley

[scootis9]

Layton advised to post the letter prefix.. There is none! There is a suffix on the butt way off to the right of the serial # but not connected to it and does not preceed it. The letter is F

[carguychris]

Layton advised to post the letter prefix.. There is none! There is a suffix on the butt way off to the right of the serial # but not connected to it and does not preceed it. The letter is F

It sounds like your gun could be a .38 M&P Model of 1905, 4th Change.

Questions:

Does the gun actually have "MOD. 10" stamped on the inside of the yoke cut, or did you assume it's a Model 10 based on its features?

Is there a screw on the upper sideplate and the forward end of the trigger guard?

Does it have a long action hammer? (Refer page 20 of this thread, I posted pictures.)

Are there a series of patent dates stamped on top of the barrel?

Is the serial number repeated on the rear face of the cylinder and the underside of the barrel above the ejector rod?

[laytonj1]

Layton advised to post the letter prefix.. There is none!

Then it's probably not a model 10. Model 10's started in 1958 when S&W started assigning model numbers and it would have a letter prefix.
As Carguychris said, you may have a 38 Military and Police (pre model 10). It would look about the same. If that's the case then SN 789XXX would date it between 1940 - 1945.

Jim

[DouglasW]

Just picked up a sweet 2" Mod 10-5. S/N D3010XX. Seller thought it was from 1970. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks!

[laytonj1]

Just picked up a sweet 2" Mod 10-5. S/N D3010XX. Seller thought it was from 1970. Can anyone confirm?

Confirmed, 1970.

Jim

[DouglasW]

Thanks for the quick reply, and the confirmation.

[wnycollector]

Hi I just picked up a 5" S&W .38 M&P S/N #506618. I'm assuming 1937-1938 but I just want to comfirm!

[humanitarian2112]

ACU11xxx

smith mountain gun .44 mag

[ustacood]

I have a serial number 669691. Can I use +p ammunition?

Brent

[laytonj1]

Hi I just picked up a 5" S&W .38 M&P S/N #506618. I'm assuming 1937-1938 but I just want to comfirm!

All the book shows is SN 241704 - 700000 as 1915 - 1942.

ACU11xxx
smith mountain gun .44 mag

The ACU prefix would be 1983. However, I don't think S&W made the Mountain Gun that early. Is it engraved "Mountain Gun" on the barrel (4" tapered) and is the frame stamped 629-1?

Model 36. I have a serial number 669691. Can I use +p ammunition?

~1968. It's not rated for +P but because of it's all steel construction you can use it.

Jim

[simp6216]

A friend of mine's father recently passed away. His mother would like to sell his 2 handguns. I trying to help him out as he isn't a gun guy.
1) Smith and Wesson model 36 2" bbl. blue 38 spcl ser# j721xx
2) Smith and Wesson appears to be victory model dull grey finish, case hardened trigger and hammer, 4" bbl,,38spcl, lanyard ring, smooth walnut grips, BUT there is no V in the serial number and I can't find any flaming bombs or other US property markings. bbl., cylinder, frame, extractor, all have the same ser# 997xxx. crane of the gun has the number 39538. I tried to do some research on this one, but I am real confused. Any info on these 2 guns would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for help in advance. Tim

[carguychris]

1) Smith and Wesson model 36 2" bbl. blue 38 spcl ser# j721xx

1969-1970. FWIW if it has adjustable sights, it's a real rarity and is worth double the value of a fixed-sight 2" M36, possibly more.

2) Smith and Wesson appears to be victory model dull grey finish, case hardened trigger and hammer, 4" bbl,,38spcl, lanyard ring, smooth walnut grips, BUT there is no V in the serial number and I can't find any flaming bombs or other US property markings. bbl., cylinder, frame, extractor, all have the same ser# 997xxx. crane of the gun has the number 39538. I tried to do some research on this one, but I am real confused.

It's a Victory. Early Victories were numbered in sequence with the .38 M&P Model of 1905, 4th Change, and didn't have any special prefixes or anything. Very early Victories actually had stocks and finish just like regular commercial M&Ps, the only differences being the lanyard loop and acceptance marks. The "V" took the place of the 7th serial number digit when production exceeded 1 million.

Later Victories had a prefix "SV" after the redesigned "Safety" hammer block was added, with the "S" being hastily and often sloppily stamped onto frames that were already on the production line when the change was made. S&W later omitted the "V", leaving the prefix "S". The "C" and "D" prefixes were used when production exceeded 2 million and 3 million M&Ps respectively.

The lack of "U.S. PROPERTY" marks is not unusual for a .38Spl Victory bound for American service, although it's still found on many of these guns. The flaming bomb in absolutely miniscule. Many pictures of Victories don't give you an appreciation of how small it is. It's more like a flaming speck. Look closer.

[simp6216]

carguychris, thanks for the quick response. The 36 has fixed sights and is good shape except for some holster wear. The victory model is also is good shape. I'll have to get a magnifying glass to find the flaming speck Can you give me a ballpark value for these guns? Thanks again. Tim

[bear3351]

Hi, I am new to the site.

I was wondering if anyone can help me out with the DOB of these 2 model 60 handguns

The 2 Model 60's serial numbers are: BBW1*** & ABT9***

One is a no dash model and the other is a 60-2,

Also, can you tell me if is safe to use +P ammo on these guns?

Thank you.

[carguychris]

carguychris, thanks for the quick response. The 36 has fixed sights and is good shape except for some holster wear. The victory model is also is good shape... Can you give me a ballpark value for these guns?

I'm going to estimate $250-$300 for the M36 in my area. The value of these guns is somewhat dependent on local demand, however.

The Victory is a little harder to call without pictures. Almost all of these guns shows moderate holster wear, and the factory "Black Magic" finish scratches pretty easily. In average somewhat-beat-up shape, it's $275-$350, but relatively pristine examples are so rare that the price can double.

The 2 Model 60's serial numbers are: BBW1*** & ABT9***

ABT = mid 1983; BBW = late 1988.

Also, can you tell me if is safe to use +P ammo on these guns?

This is a contentious topic. Most people agree that it's safe to use limited amounts of .38Spl+P in any pre-1996 M60. (1996 marked the change to the J-Magnum frame.) How much is the point of debate. However, I've never heard of it causing a kB!- the debate is whether it causes premature wear.

[humanitarian2112]

Quote:
ACU11xxx
smith mountain gun .44 mag

The ACU prefix would be 1983. However, I don't think S&W made the Mountain Gun that early. Is it engraved "Mountain Gun" on the barrel (4" tapered) and is the frame stamped 629-1?
____________________________________________________________

Not engraved "Mountain Gun" Not stamped 629-1, but is stainless, 4 inch, tapered, .44 mag. Made in the USA

Stamped SMITH & WESSON (left), 44 MAGNUM (right). I made an ASSumption of myself. But it looks just like a mountain gun, and behaves just like one. Thanks for the year, what is this thing?

[simp6216]

here are some pics of the victory model in question thanks again. tim

[carguychris]

here are some pics of the victory model in question thanks again. tim

Barring any significant blemishes that aren't visible in the photos, that's a really clean Victory, certainly above average! I'm going to up my estimate to $400-$450 based on condition, with a couple of notes:

1) The serial number should be repeated on the cylinder face and the underside of the barrel above the ejector rod. It should also be found stamped on the inside of the right-hand stock; unscrew the grip screw and g-e-n-t-l-y pry up and pop off the stocks to verify. (I use a popsicle stick filed down to a tapered point for this.) Non-matching numbers indicate replacement parts, which hurt value.

2) Any marking on the gun with possible U.S. military significance will boost the gun's value.

3) I don't know how familiar you are with U.S. firearm sales regulations, but this gun qualifies as a Curio & Relic (C&R), so it can legally be shipped across state lines to a private citizen with an 03 C&R collector's license. This will make it easier to sell it for its full value on venues such as GB, online classifieds on the S&W forum, or taking it to an out-of-state gun show. In other words, your friend isn't restricted to cosignment at the local gun store. More info can be found in the TFL Curio & Relic forum. (Mandatory discliamer: the M36 is not C&R-eligible because it's not old enough.)

[carguychris]

Not engraved "Mountain Gun" Not stamped 629-1, but is stainless, 4 inch, tapered, .44 mag. Made in the USA

Stamped SMITH & WESSON (left), 44 MAGNUM (right). I made an ASSumption of myself. But it looks just like a mountain gun, and behaves just like one.

FWIW a bonafide Mountain Gun will have a tapered barrel profile like an older M27 or M28, which I understand is slightly more tapered than the older M29/629 profile. It will also have a chamfered cylinder and a RB grip frame.

[JoeMcE]

Today I walked into a localk pawn shop and saw a S&W Model 36...Man it took me back more than 20 years when I carried a 36 as a backup to my Model 10 in NYC

The serial Nu,ber on this Model 36 is 33073xxx can anyone tell me what year this was made.....

Thanks
Joe
Coral Springs

The most important thing you can do everyday is be there to go home.....

[laytonj1]

The serial Nu,ber on this Model 36 is 33073xxx can anyone tell me what year this was made.....

Too many digits. If you mean 33073X (no prefix) it would be around 1964.

Not engraved "Mountain Gun" Not stamped 629-1, but is stainless, 4 inch, tapered, .44 mag. Made in the USA

For 1983 it should be a 629-1. What is it stamped? 629-?

Jim

[skeeter2575]

Hey, i have a Smith & Wesson Model 15-2, 4" Barrel, Serial # is D298xxx, and its a 38 Special. Can you tell me about what year it was made in?

Thanks,

David Durham

[laytonj1]

Hey, i have a Smith & Wesson Model 15-2, 4" Barrel, Serial # is D298xxx, and its a 38 Special. Can you tell me about what year it was made in?

1970.

Jim

[carguychris]

Hey, i have a Smith & Wesson Model 15-2, 4" Barrel, Serial # is D298xxx, and its a 38 Special.

The serial number you listed shouldn't be a M15 serial number. The "D" prefix is normally found on fixed-sight K frames. M15s were built on the K Target frame, which is slightly beefier around the front topstrap than the fixed-sight K frame, and K Target guns had some variation of the "K" prefix. (The "K" is sometimes the 2nd or 3rd character in the serial number in later years.)

Did you read this number off the butt?