Smith and Wesson serial number search

[laytonj1]

yes chambered 38, s&w spl. on the barrel its a 5 shot . i dont know alot about it the guy i got it from said it belonged to his grand father if it helps the side plate has 3 screws .barrel maybe a little over an inch

Okay, sounds like you have a Chiefs Special which became the model 36 when S&W began using model numbers ~1957.
Your serial number of 89XX dates it to 1952.
There is actually 4 screws. The 4th being covered by the grip

Jim

[msnden]

I just purchased a S&W 686-3, it is my understanding that the -3 were made from 1988/1993 will the serial # narrow it down? #BHY 57xx any information would be well received!! Thanks msn

[danman40391]

thanks i appreciate the help. any idea on what its worth.i gave 40 for it . i know its worth more than that.is it worth sending to be nickel plated or leave it alone .

[FlyFish]

msnden: They were using the serial number letter prefixes a bit out of order at the time, but it looks like BHY would indicate 1992.

[msnden]

msnden: They were using the serial number letter prefixes a bit out of order at the time, but it looks like BHY would indicate 1992.

F/F Thanks!!! msn

[laytonj1]

any idea on what its worth.i gave 40 for it . i know its worth more than that.is it worth sending to be nickel plated or leave it alone .

Without knowing the condition all I can say is somewhere in the $250 to $500 range.
Unless the current finish is in bad shape I would leave it alone. That said, since you got it for free basically, even sending it off for a quality refinishing and tuning you would still come out ahead.

Jim

[blaster2605]

how about serial number 71XXX?

[FlyFish]

how about serial number 71XXX?

Sometimes it's possible to pinpoint a year knowing nothing more than the serial number, but a 5-digit sn with no letter prefix could apply to a number of different models and/or years. Please provide some more details, such as the caliber of the gun (usually stamped on the barrel), number of chambers in the cylinder (usually 5 or 6), barrel length, whether there's a safety lever hinged into the backstrap, etc. Also, be sure you've got the whole serial number, including any leading letter(s), and that you've taken it from the bottom of the grip frame. If you can do that, we should be able to help you out.

[blaster2605]

.38 S&W SPECIAL CTG.
6 chambers
3.5" barrel length

[asiafish]

I have two S&W revolvers that I'd like to know the age of.

First one is a Model 60 with SN of either AVW8090 or 32536 (can't tell which is the SN).

The second is a K38 Masterpiece with SN of K296810.

Thank you in advance,

Andrew

[laytonj1]

.38 S&W SPECIAL CTG.
6 chambers

And a SN. of 71XXX would make it a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905.
Serial numbers ran from 62450 in 1905 to 73250 in 1906.

First one is a Model 60 with SN of either AVW8090 or 32536 (can't tell which is the SN).

The second is a K38 Masterpiece with SN of K296810.

AVW8090 = 1987. The 32536 is an assembly number.
K296810 = 1957.

Jim

[asiafish]

Thanks Jim.

1957, wow. I had no idea the gun was that old. I thought it was from the early 80s at the earliest.

Anything I should know about firing a weapon of that age? Is it safe with modern loads? +P? I just bought the gun a few months ago and have only fired mild wadcutter loads, but will probably use this as my home defense gun and want to load Hornady Critical Defense, a 110 grain JHP at 1010 FPS. Its not listed as a +P, but its probably quite close.

[blaster2605]

Thanks Jim.

I'm surprised that the revolver is that old.

[laytonj1]

1957, wow. I had no idea the gun was that old.

Serial numbers ran from K288989 to K317822 in 1957.

While +P will not hurt it I would use standard ammo for target shooting and plinking and the +P stuff for defense and occasional practice.
A really good +P load I use is Buffalo Bore Heavy .38 special +P. They have a 125gr. that will do 1250fps from a 4" barrel and a 158gr. that will do 1150fps from a 4".

I'm surprised that the revolver is that old.

As long as you took the SN from the underside of the frames grip butt, it is.

Jim

[asiafish]

1250 from a 4", thats almost .357 magnum territory. It guess that means the 110 grain 1010 fps really is a standard pressure load.

My local gun shop recommended it for both of my revolvers, as neither are +P rated.

[laytonj1]

My local gun shop recommended it for both of my revolvers, as neither are +P rated.

And that would be a "safe" recomendation. Which is why I would limit the +P stuff to defense.
However the BB +P stuff has been tested in a model 60.
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php...duct_list&c=22

Jim

[asiafish]

Looks like good stuff. I used to keep the model 60 loaded with 110 grain silvertips (standard pressure).

[blaster2605]

Yes Jim the I got the serial # from the bottom of the grip butt.

[The Book]

Just found this site and looks great! My Dad has a S&W 38cal.The numbers on the bottom are 442476 This is an breakdown model. If anyone can help me with the age ? Thanks-----------Mike

[laytonj1]

My Dad has a S&W 38cal.The numbers on the bottom are 442476 This is an breakdown model.

Sounds like a .38 Double Action 4th Model, top-break (seperates at top and barrel tips down).
Serial numbers ran from 322701 in 1895 to 539000 in 1909.

Jim

[boxing21]

Hey folks, was wondering if anyone could help me figure out what excatly I have here. My Grandfather gave me this revolver a few years back, and I was wondering what year it was manufactured.

Airweight .38spl CTG 6 shot mod # 12-2 Serial Number C9 45XXX

Sorry for the camer phone pic...I don't own a digital camera.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

[laytonj1]

Airweight .38spl CTG 6 shot. Serial Number C9 45XXX

Is there a space between the 9 and 4 on the gun?. If you took the serial number from the underside of the frames grip butt and it's C945XXX it would be a model 12 with SN's running from C810533 in 1966 to C999999 in 1967.

Jim

[nutsandbolts18]

Hi. looking at buying a S&W 38 Special Revolver, could somebody help me with any info like year it was made etc. its serial is J27xxx Thanks!

[FlyFish]

serial is J27xxx

Serial numbers ran from J1 in 1969 to J99999 in 1970.

[nutsandbolts18]

Thanks For The Reply FlyFish!