Smith and Wesson serial number search

[laytonj1]

The serial# on the bottom of the grip and the underside of the barrel is 23xxx. The 4 inch barrel is marked .38 S&w special, US service ctgs.

.38 Military & Police 2nd Model (Model of 1902).
SN's ran from 20976 in 1902 to 33803 in 1903.

For refinishing, these folks come highly recomended:
http://www.fordsguns.com/

Jim

[excelerater]

A312xxx 39-2


TY

[nate45]

Looks like your 39-2 shipped from the factory in 1976-1977. Thats as precise a date as you can get, without contacting S&W.

[excelerater]

thx nate - for some reason i thought they were older

[Whirlwind06]

Any info on a :
S&W model 36-1 J109XXX
3 inch barrel square butt.

Thanks

[laytonj1]

S&W model 36-1 J109XXX

1973.

Jim

[rugerp94]

I have a really nice nickel smith 13-3 serial 9D98 and would like to get some info on it. Did the FBI ever get issued any of the nickel 13s and what year was it made . thx in advance and happy new year to all Found the serial thread...looks like it is 1982

[laytonj1]

13-3 serial 9D98

SN's ran from 7D10001 to 9D44500 in 1981 and 9D44501 to 17D8900 in 1982.
Don't know if FBI issued nickel 13's.

Jim

[rugerp94]

Thank you for the speedy response....cheers from the south.

[ajgibb]

Guys,
In 1967 my father-in-law, a retired State Trooper, gave me a "target pistol" which he said was a ".22 on a .38 frame". I stashed it in a clean dry place and never even fired it. Had a busy life (5 kids, 19 grandkids and counting, widower) and am now retired myself. I recently resurrected the gun and thought I would do some shooting on my rural 10 ac property. I also started lurking on a bunch of the forms to find out about the gun. It is .22 caliber, serial number K157xxx, 4 inch barrel, square butt, factory service grips and it shows 3 screws on the right side and 1 screw on the front of the trigger guard. Rear sight is adjustable. I'm guessing it is a K-22 Combat Masterpiece. I can only count 4 screws (as I listed above) but the whole business about which are 4 screw and which are 5 screw and where those screws are seems to have a lot of contradictory posts on the various forums.

As a side note I also have my father's Colt .38 Army Special and about a dozen or so of the rounds he carried. He was a Chicago policeman and retired in 1957 after about 35 years on the force. I have never fired it either (but soon will) and from the looks of it he never fired it much either. It is serial number 486xxx.

Any comments or info welcomed

[Dave Anderson]

It is .22 caliber, serial number K157xxx, 4 inch barrel, square butt, factory service grips

The s/n dates to 1952. You have already correctly identified it as a K22 Combat Masterpiece. This model first went into production late in 1949. When S&W began using model numbers in 1957 this model was assigned number 18.

It is a "five screw" model, with one screw in the front of the trigger guard and four on the sideplate on the right-hand side. One screw is covered by the right grip panel.

If the grips are original there would be a diamond pattern around the grip screw, and the right hand panel would be serial numbered to the gun (on the inside surface of the grip panel).

Revolver enthusiasts consider it one of the finest .22s ever made. It has value as a practical shooter and as a collectible. If you want to get an idea of value you might search and check asking prices at the gunsamerica, gunsinternational, and gunbroker web sites. Incidentally if you have the original gold-colored box it adds to collector value. I've known boxes to sell for $50 - $100 on their own depending on condition.

The Colt Army Special s/n dates to early 1924, so your dad most likely carried it for most of his police career. I'd try a search of the sites mentioned above if you are interested in a value estimate though I am sure it is not for sale.

[laytonj1]

I can only count 4 screws (as I listed above) but the whole business about which are 4 screw and which are 5 screw and where those screws are seems to have a lot of contradictory posts on the various forums.

On a 4 screw (around 1955 to 1962) you would eliminate number 5.

Jim

[ajgibb]

Thank you,
You guys are great!

[Tunas]

Smith & Wesson 27-2 Serial # N2162XX

Would like to know production date. It is a 8.75 inch barrel

[Dave Anderson]

Smith & Wesson 27-2 Serial # N2162XX

S&W used the N200000 s/n range from 1974-1977. Most likely this one was made in 1974.

[Shaggy66]

I'm new to this forum...and forum's in general, so bare with me.

I'm having difficulty determining exactly what I have. What I do know: Its a .32 Cal. 5-shot about the size of my hand. It breaks open/over so it can be loaded/unloaded. It fires either by double or single action. There are several patent numbers along the top of the barrel on the sight line (all of which are pre-1900's). There is a 4 digit number on the bottom of the handle 98xx (is that the serial number?).

I'm no stranger to handguns but not that familiar with the older revolvers. It was given to me by my Grandfather a few years ago and honestly don't know how long he had it.

Does anyone know what this is?

[Dave Anderson]

What I do know: Its a .32 Cal. 5-shot about the size of my hand. It breaks open/over so it can be loaded/unloaded. It fires either by double or single action. There are several patent numbers along the top of the barrel on the sight line (all of which are pre-1900's). There is a 4 digit number on the bottom of the handle 98xx (is that the serial number?).

Pictures would really help. Based on the information provided I have to make some guesses and assumptions (for example, I'm assuming it is made by Smith & Wesson).

You say it can be fired either double or single action so I assume it has an external hammer. I'm assuming also it is a top-break model with the barrel tilting down to eject fired cases and reload.

Based on these assumptions it sounds like a .32 Double Action, the serial number falls in the range for the 2nd Model which was made from 1880 - 1882. If so it should have a 3" ribbed barrel, pinned round blade front sight, and a notch in a raised portion of the barrel latch for a rear sight. Some references say other barrel lengths were made in this model.

Grips should be checkered black hard rubber. There should be grooves cut around the cylinder at about the mid-point of the cylinder. Finish can be either blue or nickel, though those with blue finish are quite rare. Values suggested in SCSW range from $160 in good condition to $600 in "as new" condition.

[kingbigfish]

my mom baught me a snw for christmas its a crack open 5-shot but no cal. markings it appears to be old? the serial number is 121055 what do i have...can i restore it or will it hurt the value?? there are dates on the barel with years and dates stamped 64-71 springfield mas

[laytonj1]

crack open 5-shot but no cal. markings it appears to be old? the serial number is 121055

I assume you mean Top-Break, where the barrel and cylinder tip down to load/unload?
S&W used that serial number on several different Top-break models. So, without the caliber I can't tell you what model you have.
It could be a 32 Double Action 4th Model.
SN's ran from 43406 in 1883 to 282999 in 1909.
Or, a 32 Safety Hammerless (no exposed hammer) 2nd Model.
SN's ran from 91418 in 1902 to 170000 in 1909.
Or, a 38 Double Action 3rd Model.
SN's ran from 119001 in 1884 to 322700 in 1895.
Or, a 38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model.
Sn's ran from 116003 in 1898 to 220000 in 1907.

Jim

[Shaggy66]

Dave,
I'll try to get some photos up asap.
The grips are wood, not rubber but you're pretty much dead-on with everything else. Let me see what I can do.

[Shaggy66]

Attachment 77099

Attachment 77100

OK, here it is.
Let me know if you have trouble opening them.

[Dave Anderson]

Good photos, they confirm it is indeed a .32 Double Action 2nd Model. The recurved trigger guard, curved sideplate, and grooved cylinder are all identifying features, plus of course the serial number.

I'm sure the grips are not original but were added by some previous owner. A total of 22,142 units of this model were produced. Considering it is over 130 years old yours doesn't look too bad!

[Shaggy66]

Thanks a million! I had no idea it was that old.
How are you with shotguns? I've got an old one of those too.

[Dave Anderson]

Thanks a million! I had no idea it was that old.
How are you with shotguns? I've got an old one of those too.

I might have some information. Probably best to start a new thread over on the shotgun forum and/or Harley Nolden's Institute for Firearms Research forum as this one is intended for S&W revolvers. I'll check those forums tomorrow.

[jgale]

Hey all, brand new to the forum here, and found this great thread. I have a question relating to a S&W my wife recently inherited from her father. From what I have found, it is a Model 17-2 .22LR 6-shot revolver. My question relates to the serial number.

I cannot tell if the first letter of the serial number is R or K, and was hoping someone could help me out. It looks like R, but it is like the very top of the R is missing. So I do not know if this is actually K, or if the R just didn't get stamped dead on, so it is weak at the top. Does anyone know if this style gun ever used an R to start the serial number? Searching the web, I have found a few 17-2's that start with K, so need some help. Number after the letter is 703XXX. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.


Jon