Smith and Wesson serial number search

[tyusclan]

carguychris, gun values will definitely vary from area to area. A price that would be a deal in one place would be exorbitant in another.

[grdner01]

Trying tofing out the value of my S&W 41 MAG - it's in beautiful condition

[carguychris]

Jeff #111's post about the .38/44 cartridge is all correct, but I'll add some more information about the postwar "revival" of the extra-hot .38 Special. I've culled this from an old post in another thread.

FWIW if you're wondering why ammo manufacturers would market .38Spl+P+ ammo that will blow up most .38Spl revolvers, here's why.

In the late 60s and early 70s, some state and local governments, primarily in some large Northeastern and Midwestern cities, became concerned that .357Mag ammo was too powerful and was therefore inhumane for law-enforcement use. (Let's not get sidetracked discussing the logic, or lack thereof, in this conclusion; I'm merely reporting the facts.) Some of these governments passed ordinances banning the use of .357 Magnum ammo, and others adopted policy-level bans due to fear of lawsuits.

It didn't take long for the ammo manufacturers to figure out that they could load ammo to .357Mag pressures in a .38Spl case, and viola- +P+. Hence, when the district attorney came knocking, the chief of police could show him a box that said ".38 SPECIAL", and since all of the beat cops were already carrying .357Mag revolvers, there was no problem using the extra-hot ammo.

However, it didn't take long for savvy attorneys to figure out this obvious shell game, nor did it take long for unethical or ignorant ammo dealers to start selling +P+ ammo to the general public, some of whom were inevitably compelled by their own machismo to try out this extra-potent "Law Enforcement Only" ammo. Throw in the numerous late 80s switchovers to hi-capacity 9mm semi-autos, and by 1990, most police agencies had stopped buying .38Spl+P+. The combination of low demand and liability concerns prompted all the ammo makers except Federal to drop it from production.

[Pensrollei]

I have a Reck. 8560 Lauf Made in West Germany revolver markd so on one side of the barrel and marked The Spesco Corp Atlanta, Georgia AND Single Action Caliber 22 L.R. The frame is proof stamped with the Eagle over N; The Munich stamp; and the year shield (69). The barrel is steel and the rest is a non-magnetic metal mix. Here is the question: The cylinder is stamped M. Is it safe to fire 22WMR roumds in this gun?

[Jeff #111]

No. If it isn't stamped 22 WMR or 22 Magnum don't fire them in that revolver.

[laytonj1]

Trying tofing out the value of my S&W 41 MAG - it's in beautiful condition

S&W made the 41 Mag in several configurations. Value depends on actual condition (need something more descriptive than beautiful), barrel length, finish (blued, nickle or stainless), series (57, 57-1, 57-2, 657, etc.) and date of manufacture (provide serial number including the letter prefixes), you can "X" out the last couple digits. See pics in post #1978 in this thread for model and serial number locations.

Jim

[Firstdawe]

Is it posible to know the date a REGULATION POLICE 38 S & W CTG revolver was manufactured and/or sold by the factory?
The only markings I could find were, with the cylinder open, in the frame the number 1XXX and in the back of the cylinder (on the loading side) The number 9XXX both without any letters as prefix. This last number 9XXX was marked also on the bottom side of the barrel. When the grips were removed no markings were found inside.
Many thanks for your help.

[laytonj1]

Is it posible to know the date a REGULATION POLICE 38 S & W CTG revolver was manufactured and/or sold by the factory?
The only markings I could find were, with the cylinder open, in the frame the number 1XXX and in the back of the cylinder (on the loading side) The number 9XXX both without any letters as prefix. This last number 9XXX was marked also on the bottom side of the barrel

The serial number is on the front tang/forestrap of the the grip frame.
It should match the cylinder and barrel SN of 9XXX, serial numbers ran from 1 in 1917 to 54474 in 1940.

Jim

[bob.a]

Hello all. I just rec'd what I thought was a model 27 from a Gunbroker deal, but it has no model number, and a six-digit serial number of 103xxx; number is also stamped on cylinder. (I didn't remove grips to see if they were also numbered). Left the pistol with the gunsmith for some timing and lockup work.

It has the diamond grips, 3.5 inch bbl, and checkered topstrap, so I'm assuming it's pre-model designation, post-registered magnum. Any info you can provide would be of interest.

Can't tell you all how pleased I am to finally get one of these; wanted one for years, and finally scored. Now I have to hurry up and wait for the tune-up.

Thanks in advance for your efforts.

[laytonj1]

Hello all. I just rec'd what I thought was a model 27 from a Gunbroker deal, but it has no model number, and a six-digit serial number of 103xxx; number is also stamped on cylinder. (I didn't remove grips to see if they were also numbered). Left the pistol with the gunsmith for some timing and lockup work.

It has the diamond grips, 3.5 inch bbl, and checkered topstrap, so I'm assuming it's pre-model designation, post-registered magnum. Any info you can provide would be of interest.

Assuming there is an "S" prefix with that number then S103XXX would be 1954 which makes it a pre 27. The 3.5" barrel is a big plus on what is a very desirable/collectable gun.

Jim

[bob.a]

Thanks for the quick response. I don't recall the "S" but it might have been separated from the main body of the number line. I'll take another look when I get the opportunity.

I've always liked the looks of the 3.5 inch barrel, and I'm very fond of the older firearms, as the workmanship seems to give them character somehow.

[Wild Tac]

I too am looking for some history and details such as model, reliability,DOB, and value on a Smith and Wesson; double action, 22 caliber, blued, 6 inch barrel, 6 shot revolver. The estimated age is 30 years and from what I see on this forum someone out there will be able to educate me. That may be more than you need as the serial number is K67XXX. Any help would be appreciated as I am looking at purchasing this revolver for C$250. Please tell me everything you know about this firearm as I am new to the S&W products. Hope I have the right place (thread?) for this. Thanks.

[laytonj1]

reliability,DOB, and value on a Smith and Wesson; double action, 22 caliber, blued, 6 inch barrel, 6 shot revolver. The estimated age is 30 years and from what I see on this forum someone out there will be able to educate me. That may be more than you need as the serial number is K67XXX

Serial number puts it at 1948. Unless it is beat to crap, that is a really great price. S&W's K-22's are among the highest quality 22 caliber revolvers made, especially from that time period.
Starting around 1958 S&W started assigning model numbers and the K-22 became the model 17 in blue and later on the 617 in stainless.
Prices here for a nice shape (minimal blueing wear) K-22 from that era would run about $600.

Jim

[Wild Tac]

Thank you very much laytonj1. That is impressive information. Can I assume then that in general terms modern ammo in this firearm is a non issue especially as I do not think 22 ammo has changed since then? THe bluing on the gun is best described as very heavy wear. I will send a pic if I can figure out how to do that. I want to use this gun for plinking and it seems to be a great choice. Thanks again and have a great day.

[carguychris]

Can I assume then that in general terms modern ammo in this firearm is a non issue especially as I do not think 22 ammo has changed since then?

Any modern factory .22LR ammo is safe to use in any K-22. The chamber walls and forcing cone are, in effect, ridiculously overbuilt. You will never damage it with any modern load.

However, the chambers in older K-22s are notoriously tight. The upside is that this makes the gun very accurate. The downside is that some cheap bulk-pack .22LR ammo has widely varying case diameters, so some rounds won't chamber easily, and these guns aren't very tolerant of dirty powder because even a little bit of dirt will cause the cases to stick. Consequently, many older K-22 owners (this one included) prefer high-quality ammo because it's usually consistently sized and clean. FWIW my K-22 Combat Masterpiece is happiest when it's firing Wolf Match Target / SK Standard Plus (same ammo, different box), Federal Auto Match, and CCI Mini-Mags or Standard Velocity.

Also, as with any .22 revolver, using lots of ammo with short cases, such as .22 Shorts, will cause a ring of crud to build up in the chambers and prevent longer cases from chambering readily.

[Wild Tac]

Carguychris, thanks for the info. When I started more serious shooting a few years ago I noted that in my single six and 22/45 that some ammo caused the gun to malfunction after 50 rounds or so. Of course I discovered with some experiments it was the ammo and a good cleaning of the firearm recified the problem much to my relief. I appreciate the details on the K22 and will certainly keep this in mind when using it. I am glad to know of the tight fit. I use 22 shorts sometimes and would have been concerned with a problem loading LR. I have not seen the Wolf Match here in Canada but maybe because I have not looked for it so I will check that out. I kind of thought modern ammo was good but I figured better safe than sorry. Thanks for your help and have a great one. Hope I can return the favour to some one some day.

[MW_Atl]

Just picked up a "new" 4" 686 no-dash and can't call S&W until Monday. If anyone can give me a year on it, I'd appreciate it. SN - AHR577x.

Hasn't been back for the M stamp, and very little wear and still has the original wood grips - the gun I should have bought new "new".

Thanks!

[laytonj1]

SN - AHR577x.

1985.

Jim

[MW_Atl]

Thanks so much. Now I at least know when I take it to the range today. Don't know why it took me this long to buy one, but it sure seems smooth.

[CraCZ]

I just bought an old Smith model 10-5 snubbie with ser#2D52xxx could someone please give me the DOB. Thanks for any help

[laytonj1]

10-5 snubbie with ser#2D52xxx

1977.

Jim

[DDG]

Any ideas on this one?

38 single action.
Serial # = 187XX

[tel0004]

Any ideas on this one?

38 single action.
Serial # = 187XX

looks like 38 single action 1st issue

1876-1877

[annamal]

Hi,

Just purchased a 629-1 serial number AYC5845 product code 103609 spec. ord. 7268. Any idea on DOB and also this gun is Magna-ported is that factory or aftermarket? Was $600 too much it's in very good condition. I appreciate it.

Thanks,
Dwayne

[laytonj1]

Just purchased a 629-1 serial number AYC5845 product code 103609 spec. ord. 7268. Any idea on DOB and also this gun is Magna-ported is that factory or aftermarket? Was $600 too much it's in very good condition

1987. Product code 103609 shows a standard production 8 and 3/8" barrel so the porting is aftermarket. $600 is the around the going rate used so you did fine.

Jim