Smith and Wesson serial number search - Page 165

flsthrnboy85 · April 18, 2011, 10:35 AM

I have recently acquired a S&W .38 ctg 5 shot revolver. It seems to be very old and used but it is still in "decent" shape It has what could be wood or a plastic of some sort style grips they are worn making it hard to tell . The only markings i can seem to find are stamped on the sight rail on top of the barrel stating - Smith and Wesson Springfield mass usa - then a line below that the beginning is worn but i can make out half way thru it - jan 3 1880 april 9 1889- when a-d-s on the left side of the barrel its stamped 38 s&w ctg with a weird looking "&" symbol no markings on the right side of the barrel right side on lower receiver the s&w symbol with trade mark stamped around it . what makes this pistol interesting to me is that it has a copper front sight the top break a access plate on the left side of lower receiver to access the hammer mechanism and the screw off 5 shot cylinder with a spent shell ejector the only number i can seem to find are stamped on the butt of the grip begins with -438- same number ingraved on the inside of one of the grips also seems to have an adjustment screw on the inside of the grip i guess to adjust the pull on the hammer has roughly a 4-5 inch barrel .. any information as to date of mfg or type of issue would be greatly appreciated thank you if pictures are needed to help please feel free to email me fl.sthrnboy85@ yahoo.com would love to learn the history of this revolver ....

Birdseye · April 18, 2011, 03:39 PM

hi

could I get help with a couple of s/n's? My Standard Catalog ends a bit early.

m696 CBW1xxx

m624 AHT3xxx

Thanks!

laytonj1 · April 18, 2011, 05:00 PM

flsthrnboy85,

I assume this is a Top-Break revolver (barrel/cylinder tilts down to load/unload)?
If so, is it a single or double action, exposed or hidden hammer?
Need more of the serial number, you can use X's for the last digits but I need to know how many digits such as 438XXX.

Quote:

m696 CBW1xxx

m624 AHT3xxx

Couple of nice guns. You must be a 44 special fan.
CBW = 1997 and AHT = 1985.

Jim

Birdseye · April 18, 2011, 05:12 PM

Yeah, I also have a 629 and a Uberti .44 Russian repro.

Too bad it costs $37/box

Thanks for the info

flsthrnboy85 · April 19, 2011, 12:45 AM

you would be correct as the top break is to load unload it is a double action as the hammer is exposed the serial number is 43853x hope this help if you need more info just ask thanxz for all your help

MaryBurk · April 19, 2011, 09:41 AM

Hello Yes my step father passed away and left his hand gun to myself and my husband we are just wanting to know what year or there abouts it was manufactured. Here is the info we have, it had belonged to my grandfather, who passed onto to my father now onto us. It is a S&W 38 Snub nose, Mod32-1 Serial 1100XX. Has the wooden grip, little blueing on the gun itself. Thank you.

laytonj1 · April 19, 2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

you would be correct as the top break is to load unload it is a double action as the hammer is exposed the serial number is 43853x

That makes it a .38 Double Action 4th Model.
Serial numbers ran from 322701 in 1895 to 539000 in 1909.

Quote:

S&W 38 Snub nose, Mod32-1 Serial 1100XX

Serial numbers ran from 54474 in 1948 to 122678 in 1969 (book doesn't narrow it any further).
Note that your gun is chambered to shoot .38 S&W, not to be confused with the more common .38 Special.

Jim

Tommy Vercetti · April 20, 2011, 12:21 PM

Smith & Wesson model 38-2 nickel plated Airweight Bodyguard .38 Special

serial number BFY846x

laytonj1 · April 20, 2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

serial number BFY846x

1991.

Jim

fourth66 · April 20, 2011, 09:50 PM

i need help on a s and w .38 special ctg. the serial is 442xxx.

any info is greatly appreciated

Tommy Vercetti · April 21, 2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

1991

thank you Jim

laytonj1 · April 21, 2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

s and w .38 special ctg. the serial is 442xxx.

Does it hold 5 or 6 rounds? And I assume there is no letter prefixes with that SN.

Jim

Dave Anderson · April 21, 2011, 07:06 PM

"It is a S&W 38 Snub nose, Mod32-1 Serial 1100XX. Has the wooden grip, little blueing on the gun itself. Thank you."

The 32-1 designation was introduced in 1960 when S&W discontinued using the I-frame and replaced it with the J-frame. As has been posted already s/n 122678 was made in 1969.

If the grips are original and there is a diamond pattern around the grip screws it was made no later than 1968. If there is no diamond pattern it was made in 1969 (again assuming these are the original grips).

Based on the serial number a reasonable estimate would be mid to late 1960s.

As laytonj1 has already said (but it is worth repeating), caliber is .38 S&W which is not the same and is not interchangeable with .38 Special.

BC Gopax · April 21, 2011, 08:08 PM

I hate to ask but could you help me date my 29? Serial number S 217xxx.
Thanks for the help.

fourth66 · April 21, 2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Does it hold 5 or 6 rounds? And I assume there is no letter prefixes with that SN.

Jim

Its 6 rounds with no prefix before the serial that I can remember.
Its not in front of me right now so to be 100% on the prefix I'd have to go take a look at it at a family members house. I'll be buying it but I dont know anything about it as far as an age or value so I'm trying to get info to make a fair deal.
Thanks

Dave Anderson · April 21, 2011, 09:05 PM

"I hate to ask but could you help me date my 29? Serial number S 217xxx."

I think likely late 1959. The engineering change resulting in the 29-1 designation (left-hand thread extractor rod) was ordered December 22, 1959 and went into production in 1960 at s/n 220000.

It should be a four-screw model (screw at top of sideplate eliminated, but still has screw in front of trigger guard). It would have been originally shipped in a black presentation case with satin lining.

xchosen · April 21, 2011, 09:10 PM

Can someone help me out. I was given my dads .357 this past year shortly before he died. I told him I would have the gun cleaned up and have been doing research on what I should do with it. I've settled on having it np3 plated but before I send it off I would like to have all the facts on the gun. I've been able to track down that its around 1977. Can you guys tell me when it was actually made?

62k7463 mod 19

Dave Anderson · April 21, 2011, 09:26 PM

"I've been able to track down that its around 1977. Can you guys tell me when it was actually made?"

62k7463 mod 19

My source (A History of Smith & Wesson by Roy G. Jinks) says 1980.

xchosen · April 21, 2011, 09:42 PM

Thanks Dave, I appreciate it.

BC Gopax · April 21, 2011, 11:37 PM

Thanks Dave. I visited your website and enjoyed the different videos and stories, especially about your pocket knife. I still have an old pocket knife that my grandfather left me after he passed. It's hard to believe that my 29 is older than I am. It's held up better than I have.

Dave Anderson · April 22, 2011, 01:00 AM

BC Gopax, thank you for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed the story.

Your model 29 isn't older than I am, sorry to say. A collector friend has one from the same era, it is one he won't sell or trade. Hope you still use and enjoy yours.

laytonj1 · April 22, 2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Its 6 rounds with no prefix before the serial that I can remember.
Its not in front of me right now so to be 100% on the prefix I'd have to go take a look at it at a family members house. I'll be buying it but I dont know anything about it as far as an age or value so I'm trying to get info to make a fair deal.

6 shot .38 special makes it a .38 Military and Police. No prefix 442xxx would date it to the 1920's. Value depends heavily on condition but can range from less than $250 well used to $500 in excellent to 1K in mint with box, docs, etc.

Jim

fourth66 · April 22, 2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

6 shot .38 special makes it a .38 Military and Police. No prefix 442xxx would date it to the 1920's. Value depends heavily on condition but can range from less than $250 well used to $500 in excellent to 1K in mint with box, docs, etc.

Jim

Thats very interesting. I would have never thought it was that old. Thank you so much for your time. When I get it I'll try to get a pic up.

bowhunter7768 · April 23, 2011, 05:00 PM

This is my first time EVER posting. I am trying to fine the year my Model 10-5 was made. The serial # is D1761XX. Any help is appreciated.

Fordx4 · April 23, 2011, 08:42 PM

I just inherited a top-break revolver but most of the markings are worn off. It is a five shot .38 has a S/N of 4139XX. Any information on it would be helpful. Thanks.

April 18, 2011, 10:35 AM	#4101
flsthrnboy85 Junior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: oscar mike Posts: 2	S&W .38 ctg info I have recently acquired a S&W .38 ctg 5 shot revolver. It seems to be very old and used but it is still in "decent" shape It has what could be wood or a plastic of some sort style grips they are worn making it hard to tell . The only markings i can seem to find are stamped on the sight rail on top of the barrel stating - Smith and Wesson Springfield mass usa - then a line below that the beginning is worn but i can make out half way thru it - jan 3 1880 april 9 1889- when a-d-s on the left side of the barrel its stamped 38 s&w ctg with a weird looking "&" symbol no markings on the right side of the barrel right side on lower receiver the s&w symbol with trade mark stamped around it . what makes this pistol interesting to me is that it has a copper front sight the top break a access plate on the left side of lower receiver to access the hammer mechanism and the screw off 5 shot cylinder with a spent shell ejector the only number i can seem to find are stamped on the butt of the grip begins with -438- same number ingraved on the inside of one of the grips also seems to have an adjustment screw on the inside of the grip i guess to adjust the pull on the hammer has roughly a 4-5 inch barrel .. any information as to date of mfg or type of issue would be greatly appreciated thank you if pictures are needed to help please feel free to email me fl.sthrnboy85@ yahoo.com would love to learn the history of this revolver ....

April 19, 2011, 09:41 AM	#4106
MaryBurk Junior Member Join Date: April 19, 2011 Posts: 2	Need info Hello Yes my step father passed away and left his hand gun to myself and my husband we are just wanting to know what year or there abouts it was manufactured. Here is the info we have, it had belonged to my grandfather, who passed onto to my father now onto us. It is a S&W 38 Snub nose, Mod32-1 Serial 1100XX. Has the wooden grip, little blueing on the gun itself. Thank you.

April 20, 2011, 12:21 PM	#4108
Tommy Vercetti Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Location: Fairhope, Alabama Posts: 1,119	thank you in advance Smith & Wesson model 38-2 nickel plated Airweight Bodyguard .38 Special serial number BFY846x

April 21, 2011, 08:08 PM	#4114
BC Gopax Junior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 2	Production date of Mod 29 I hate to ask but could you help me date my 29? Serial number S 217xxx. Thanks for the help. Last edited by BC Gopax; April 21, 2011 at 08:54 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

April 18, 2011, 03:39 PM	#4102
Birdseye Junior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 10	hi could I get help with a couple of s/n's? My Standard Catalog ends a bit early. m696 CBW1xxx m624 AHT3xxx Thanks!

April 18, 2011, 05:12 PM	#4104
Birdseye Junior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 10	Yeah, I also have a 629 and a Uberti .44 Russian repro. Too bad it costs $37/box Thanks for the info

April 19, 2011, 12:45 AM	#4105
flsthrnboy85 Junior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: oscar mike Posts: 2	you would be correct as the top break is to load unload it is a double action as the hammer is exposed the serial number is 43853x hope this help if you need more info just ask thanxz for all your help

April 20, 2011, 09:50 PM	#4110
fourth66 Junior Member Join Date: April 20, 2011 Posts: 3	i need help on a s and w .38 special ctg. the serial is 442xxx. any info is greatly appreciated

April 21, 2011, 07:06 PM	#4113
Dave Anderson Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2011 Posts: 313	"It is a S&W 38 Snub nose, Mod32-1 Serial 1100XX. Has the wooden grip, little blueing on the gun itself. Thank you." The 32-1 designation was introduced in 1960 when S&W discontinued using the I-frame and replaced it with the J-frame. As has been posted already s/n 122678 was made in 1969. If the grips are original and there is a diamond pattern around the grip screws it was made no later than 1968. If there is no diamond pattern it was made in 1969 (again assuming these are the original grips). Based on the serial number a reasonable estimate would be mid to late 1960s. As laytonj1 has already said (but it is worth repeating), caliber is .38 S&W which is not the same and is not interchangeable with .38 Special.

April 21, 2011, 09:05 PM	#4116
Dave Anderson Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2011 Posts: 313	"I hate to ask but could you help me date my 29? Serial number S 217xxx." I think likely late 1959. The engineering change resulting in the 29-1 designation (left-hand thread extractor rod) was ordered December 22, 1959 and went into production in 1960 at s/n 220000. It should be a four-screw model (screw at top of sideplate eliminated, but still has screw in front of trigger guard). It would have been originally shipped in a black presentation case with satin lining.

April 21, 2011, 09:10 PM	#4117
xchosen Junior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Posts: 2	Can someone help me out. I was given my dads .357 this past year shortly before he died. I told him I would have the gun cleaned up and have been doing research on what I should do with it. I've settled on having it np3 plated but before I send it off I would like to have all the facts on the gun. I've been able to track down that its around 1977. Can you guys tell me when it was actually made? 62k7463 mod 19

April 21, 2011, 09:26 PM	#4118
Dave Anderson Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2011 Posts: 313	"I've been able to track down that its around 1977. Can you guys tell me when it was actually made?" 62k7463 mod 19 My source (A History of Smith & Wesson by Roy G. Jinks) says 1980.

April 21, 2011, 09:42 PM	#4119
xchosen Junior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Posts: 2	Thanks Dave, I appreciate it.

April 21, 2011, 11:37 PM	#4120
BC Gopax Junior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 2	Thanks Dave. I visited your website and enjoyed the different videos and stories, especially about your pocket knife. I still have an old pocket knife that my grandfather left me after he passed. It's hard to believe that my 29 is older than I am. It's held up better than I have.

April 22, 2011, 01:00 AM	#4121
Dave Anderson Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2011 Posts: 313	BC Gopax, thank you for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed the story. Your model 29 isn't older than I am, sorry to say. A collector friend has one from the same era, it is one he won't sell or trade. Hope you still use and enjoy yours.

April 23, 2011, 05:00 PM	#4124
bowhunter7768 Junior Member Join Date: April 23, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1	This is my first time EVER posting. I am trying to fine the year my Model 10-5 was made. The serial # is D1761XX. Any help is appreciated.

April 23, 2011, 08:42 PM	#4125
Fordx4 Junior Member Join Date: April 23, 2011 Posts: 2	I just inherited a top-break revolver but most of the markings are worn off. It is a five shot .38 has a S/N of 4139XX. Any information on it would be helpful. Thanks.