Smith and Wesson serial number search

[AdamSean]

Thanks Sevens. I hope it looks this good after a few seasons serving as a close call back-up weapon during deer and turkey season. Had a few close calls with hogs and coyotes this past season so I made sure I was ready for this one. There is very little wear around the cylinder and forcing cone. It has been shot very little. I bet I can keep it in service for many seasons.

Thanks Again.

[jdcujo]

Would it be possible get date on a 14-2
K848***
40f
14-2
Is what shows on inside of crane with cylinder rotated out

[laytonj1]

Would it be possible get date on a 14-2
K848***
40f
14-2
Is what shows on inside of crane with cylinder rotated out

14-2's ran from 1961 to 1967 with -3's running from 1967 to 1977. Serial numbers ran from K779163 to K848781 in 1968 and K848782 to K946391 in 1969. That leaves four possibilities. The -2 stamp is actually a -3, the technician miss-stamped it, an older unused -2 stamped frame was used during the assembly or it's magic.
The change to -3 was the relocation of the rear sight leaf screw.

Jim

[lcd7]

I have a S&W 38 Special ctg. Model 64-5. I'm trying to find the date it was produced. It's number BDB3XXX.

Thanks for any help.

[Sevens]

Possibly very late 1988, more likely to be very early 1989.

Mostly because this was the time period where I first got in to guns, I am more attracted to '86-'91 era Smith & Wesson than to all others. Not that they are "better", these are simply the ones I truly love the most.

[lcd7]

Thanks very much.

My brother gave me this one about 3 weeks ago. It's actually my first hand gun. I've been reading up on this one and most seem to really like it. I haven't made it to the gun range but hoping to soon.

He's been collecting them for years. He's let me fire them numerous times and I've been partial to the Revolvers, so he gave this one to me as a gift.

Thanks again

[Procky]

Hi all. I inherited an S&W Terrier that my father bought when I was a little kid. It's a 4-screw with a ramp sight, SN 712xx. Can someone please let me know the date of manufacture? Thanks in advance!

[Sevens]

This is one of those models where the book that gives us the answers is very, very vague. It says that the range from 54474 to 122678 was built from 1949 to 1974.

In this case, you can use the math to get an "idea" but you'd have to be lucky to be right, however without access to the records that Roy Jinks has, anyone out there would have no more information to counter your mathematical assertion.

So, there's two other options for getting a more accurate date of birth.
First is to contact S&W Historian Roy Jinks and request a factory letter. This will cost $50 and take 6-8 weeks, but it's very cool. You'll find out the features it had as shipped, when it was shipped and WHERE they sent it. He'll also give a brief rundown of the model & the history of that model. Very cool letter.

The other option is cheaper, less accurate, not nearly as cool and more difficult to obtain...
That's to spend a lot of free time searching the web & stopping at every one you see at a gun show (needs to be a high quality gun show!) and look for similar guns with factory letters that are also displayed. Find a revolver of the same model with a serial number that is close... and ALSO has a Roy Jinks letter and you'll get an idea of when yours was built.

If we just use simple math (which may or may not reflect reality...) then math says it was built in/around 1955.

[Procky]

I'm not sure I want to throw $50 at this to be "cool". (I'm more of a classical music kinda guy!) I'm pretty sure I was only about 5 when he got this; a salesman came to our house and my dad let me hold it. I distinctly recall, at about 5 years of age, that the gun (less than a pound!) was too heavy for me to hold at arm's length! That dates it at late 1950 to 1951.

[arkynark]

I've got a 65-1, serial number 1D100XX. Any idea on its ship date?

[laytonj1]

I've got a 65-1, serial number 1D100XX. Any idea on its ship date?

Serial numbers ran from 1D1 in 1976 to 1D30000 in 1977.

Jim

[laytonj1]

I'm pretty sure I was only about 5 when he got this; a salesman came to our house and my dad let me hold it. I distinctly recall, at about 5 years of age, that the gun (less than a pound!) was too heavy for me to hold at arm's length! That dates it at late 1950 to 1951.

Just to add some additional information:
If in fact it's a 4 screw (see pic) then it's production would fall between 1953 and 1955, as Sevens suggested. Screw #4 was eliminated during 1953 and screw #5 was eliminated during 1955.

Jim

[GM1967]

I have two S&W revolvers, one old, one newer but not new.

The newer is a Model 19-5, .357, 6 round cylinder, nickel, 4-inch barrel, fixed ramp front sight, adjustable rear sight, appears to be square-butt with Pachmayr "Gripper" grips. Serial # is AVD3583


The older is (according to its original box) a S&W 38 Chief Special Airweight, blued finish, 2-inch, square-butt. All of that info is on the box. It's a .38 Special j-frame with a 5-shot cylinder and mother of pearl grips. I thought it was a pre-37 airweight, but when I open the cylinder I can see "Mod-37" stamped on the inside of the frame. Serial number on the butt is 176218. There is also a different number on the cylinder crane, 38314, not sure what that signifies.


Can anyone date these two revolvers for me?

Is the snubby safe to shoot with +P? From other things I've read, I doubt it. So far I'm avoiding shooting +P in it, though non +P .38 special self-defense ammo seems a little hard to find.

[laytonj1]

Serial # is AVD3583

1987.

Serial number on the butt is 176218

Serial numbers ran from 125000 in 1957 to 295000 in 1962.
The other numbers are assembly/inspector numbers.
+P for a defense load will not blow it up. Regular use of +P is not recommended and might wear it out faster do to the aluminum frame.
Personally, I use Buffalo Bore 158gr lead standard pressure loading for defense use in a model 37.

Jim

[droged]

Can any one date and give a round a bout value of a model 14-2 serial number k689 with 4 inch barrel. In good/excellent condition.

[Damanhb]

Date on S&W mod 37 ser#J901xxx
Nevermind, I found it by looking back though the thread.
1981 If I am correct.

[doc540]

Two J frame round butts:

76852

139230

J frame square butt
459371

Thanks!

[Vartarg]

It's Model 10-6 s/n D33435XX

Thanks!!

[laytonj1]

model 14-2 serial number k689

I assume that's K689XXX, which would make it 1966. SN's ran from K658987 to K715996 that year. Without knowing condition... $400 to $600.

Date on S&W mod 37 ser#J901xxx
Nevermind, I found it by looking back though the thread.
1981 If I am correct.

You are.

Two J frame round butts:

76852

139230

J frame square butt
459371

76852 = 1955/56
139230 = ~1958. SN's ran from 125000 in 1957 to 295000 in 1962.
459371 = ~1964/65. SN's ran from 295000 in 1962 to 786544 in 1969.

It's Model 10-6 s/n D33435XX

Very nice, almost looks new.
One X to many. SN's ran from D330001 in 1971 to D420000 in 1972.

Jim

[Vartarg]

D33435X

[cj21072]

Could anyone help me with an approximate date of a snub nose S&W 6 shot revolver that appears to be a 32 cal.? I say appears to be a 32 because I have an old H&R 32 revolver that is actually marked "32". I have looked all over the S&W and find nothing about the caliber or model. The cylinder is marked with logo and patent dates. Oldest date is July 1.89. with latest date being July 16.95. There is a number on the butt of the handle that I assume to be the serial number but only has 5 digits. The number is 114** I assume it to be old because of the low number. It has 5 screws on the right side 2 of witch are side by side and appear to hold the swing arm of the cylinder in place. The cylinder rotation lock is weird as it moves the rear sight slightly up when it revolves as part of the action. This was given to my father (who is 88) by his father (who was born in 1905) and recently handed down to me. Not sure if I want to spend the $50 and go to S&W but would love to know more about it. Thanks for the help.

[laytonj1]

cj21072,

S&W reused the same serial numbers across the model lines during the earlier years. To determine the date I first have to determine the model as there were several 32 cal models offered back then. Unless it's completely worn off, the barrel should have the caliber stamped on the side of it.
This is clearly one of those cases where a picture would be worth a thousand words.

Jim

[cj21072]

20140929_090200.jpg

20140929_090211.jpg

20140929_090314.jpg

Sorry for the picture quality. I had to resize the file which robs some clarity. hope this helps.

[laytonj1]

cj21072,

I've never seen a model look anything like it.
I posted your pictures over on the S&W forum to get a few more opinions.

Jim


Edit: Answer from S&W forum:
Yes, it is a well worn Model 1896 HE. This gun was very significant for Smith & Wesson, since it was the very first hand ejector revolver made by the company. It was also the first S&W chambered in 32 Long. There were not many manufactured before the company changed over to the Model 1903, with 19,712 total made from 1896 to 1903. High condition examples are going for nice money, but worn examples are still stuck below $300.

[cj21072]

Awesome! Thank you for the help. Not sure how the pistol came to have such pitting and wear. Action and cylinder work great. Just an ugly worn finish.
Thanks again!