Smith and Wesson serial number search

[Cajun Dago]

thx again..beautiful wkend here in new orleans so I'll try it out at the camp with some fresh new shells after i do some(alot of) fishing ...trout n reds r running good n I'm running after them LOL !!!

[FlyFish]

Whats a Davidson run?

shortwave - Davidson's is a large gun wholesaler that sometimes commissions (I think that's the right word) special runs of particular models from manufacturers such as S&W. They typically specify that the guns be made with certain features (e.g., special barrel lengths, porting) that may not be available on the standard factory runs. These guns usually sell for a premium due to these special features. Lew Horton is another wholesaler who does the same thing. You can Google either of them to learn more.

[trigger happy]

thank you FlyFish

[shortwave]

Thank You Flyfish.

It is a Davidson run. I found a card under the foam in the gun box. After the ser.# were the letters DVDS.

Can you guys give/get info on Walther .380's made by or for S&W?

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL,
Thanks for the wonderful thread,
Shortwave.

[ThomasH]

Hello folks,

I have ordered The Standard Catalog Of S&W's, but while I am waiting for my copy to arrive, could you nice people help me date a couple of S&W snubbies?

One is a blued Model 38 Airweight, with AWT4873 stamped on the bottom of the grip. It also has "MOD-38" stamped on the frame where the yoke (?) swings out and has "931XX" stamped on the swinging part. There is also a larger newer looking "A6" stamped just below the "931XX". The "931XX" is also stamped on the bottom of the grip, on the left side, with "3477" stamped on the right side..

The second pistol is a blued Model 49, with 4J2818 stamped on the bottom of the grip. It also has "MOD-49" stamped on the frame where the yoke (?) swings out and has "16997" stamped on the swinging part. The "16997" is also stamped on the bottom of the grip, on the left side.

These are both J-frame .38 Special revolvers with case hardened triggers and hammers (with blued firing pins), and the barrels measure 1 7/8 inches from the front of the cylinder.

Can you helpful folks tell me anything about my guns from those numbers? Manufacturing or shipping dates? Does the 931XX mean anything 'special'?

Thanks for your time!

- Thomas

[laytonj1]

ThomasH,

The serial number is the one stamped on the bottom of the grip butt. The other numbers are assembly numbers.

AWT4873 = 1987.
4J2818 = 1971/72.

Jim

[cheyennegalen]

Brand new to this forum.

Can anyone tell me, about, when my S&W model 37 (+-)serial number AAR9249 was made?

[laytonj1]

serial number AAR9249 was made?

1982.

Jim

[Hunterfisher808]

Hey guys have A, 17-4, K-22 #85K6XXX , thanks in advance for the help

[FlyFish]

17-4, K-22 #85K6XXX

1980

[NaplesSwampRat]

Hi again. i had posted about a month ago asking what my 65-1 ( 1D343xx ) was. Thanks Flyfish for the info . i was also wondering if anyone had an idea what it was worth? its a 4 inch barrel, stainless, pinned barrel, recessed cylinder, 327 mag. also, what do you polish it with? i dont want to scratch it all up. its stainless and not nickle right?

[Ignacio49]

Another one:

Model 36, 2", round butt, nickel, non pinned barrel.

s/n J8917xx

Can you please tell me DOB?

Thanks...again!

[FlyFish]

NaplesSwampRat: I'd say around $400 to $450, depending on condition and where in the country you're located. It is indeed stainless and I'm not the right person to advise on caring for stainless, but I'm pretty sure you want to stay away from metal polish such as Flitz and Mothers Mag Polish that have mild abrasive, unless you want to spend a lot of time and elbow grease to change the appearance to a bright polished look, which some folks do and it can be very nice.

Ignacio49: Your M36 was produced in 1981.

[Ignacio49]

Thank you FlyFish. Appreciate your help.

Regards,
Ignacio

[RichardWA]

686-2 serial #AJN3xxx what year please?

[laytonj1]

686-2 serial #AJN3xxx what year please?

SN's ran from AHC in 1986 to AVB in 1987. Since 686-2's started in 1987 then yours would be 1987.

Jim

[RichardWA]

Thanks Jim!

[seefers23]

Hey everyone! I am new to the world of smith and wesson revolvers and was wondering if anyone knew anything about the one I was given today. Specs are as follows.

Smith and Wesson .38 special CTG (on the barrel)
Blued frame, wood grips
adjustable sites
Serial Number- K 199XXX

Thanks a lot for any information you can give me!

[FlyFish]

seefers23: Your revolver was produced in 1953. There were a number of different models that shared the same series of serial numbers, but only two of them were blued and chambered for the .38 Special cartridge: the K-38 Target Masterpiece (which later became the Model 14) and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece (which became the Model 15). Because your gun was made prior to 1957, those model numbers will not appear anywhere.

Both models had adjustable rear sights. Generally, the pre-14s had a 6" barrel and the pre-15s had a 4" barrel, but other lengths were available and there was some overlap between the two models, so a better way to distinguish them would be via the front sight. The pre-14 had a so-called "Patridge" sight, which has somewhat undercut, nearly straight back edge to provide a clearer sight picture for target work. The pre-15 had the ramped front sight to avoid snagging when drawn from a holster.

Whichever one you have, in that vintage (any vintage, really) it's a very nice gun. If you get a chance, please post and let us know which model it is, and also the barrel length, which is measured from the front of the cylinder (not the front of the frame) in revolvers.

[seefers23]

Hey! thanks so much for that information. I had no idea that this was that old, wow. It is in very very good condition and I am really. Here is a picture I took last night, maybe you can tell by the front sight what model this is. It is in another location in a lock box right now, so I will have to take a closer look when I get it today.

Also, if I wanted to fire this gun, is there anything about cleaning it I should know? I have normal hopps cleaning solution, but with these older guns I am not sure what to use. Thanks!

[FlyFish]

That would be the Combat Masterpiece - 4" barrel and Baughman Quick Draw front sight. It's a little difficult to tell from the photo, but it does look to be in very nice shape. Nothing special necessary in the way of cleaning - Hoppe's will do the job for you. Nice.

[seefers23]

well thanks a lot for your knowledge, I am glad to find someone that knows so much! I will take more detailed pictures with an actual camera soon and upload them. Also, would you know the value on a gun like this? I have looked at all the online gun auction sites and have not found much at all.

[FlyFish]

Around here (Massachusetts) I'd expect to see that gun with a price tag in the mid to upper $500s. That will vary some depending on where you are and the condition - as I said, it does look to be in great shape but it's difficult to tell from the photo.

[seefers23]

awesome, very neat. I am from Indiana, but I have never really come across vintage revolvers at the gun shop, haha. Thanks again for the help!

[ThomasH]

Hello again folks, and thank you Jim for your help:

> "ThomasH,
>
> The serial number is the one stamped on the bottom of the grip butt.
> The other numbers are assembly numbers.
>
> AWT4873 = 1987.
> 4J2818 = 1971/72.
>
> Jim
>

I received my copy of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson today, and I cannot find my serial numbers anywhere in it.

I have checked the middle section of the numbered models and read the sections on the Model 38 and Model 49, but I don't see any information about my serials numbers and what they might mean there.

I have also poured over the section in the rear that attempts to date the guns by their serial numbers but I see no examples of serial numbers like mine for either pistol!?! I see "J prefix" numbers but none like the 4J2818 serial number. And I haven't found a single reference to an AWT serial number like my AWT4873!?!

Am I doing something wrong? Is there something about these numbers or the book that I don 't understand? Where did you find the information about my serial numbers, if I may ask?

Thoroughly confused, as usual,

- Thomas