The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Revolver Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old September 16, 2009, 08:40 PM   #1876
carguychris
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 7,523
Quote:
I have my father-in-law's pistol that he had as a young man... Only number on the bottom of the handle is 660XXX.
Your father-in-law's revolver is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change. It was built during the Depression-era timeframe when S&W was assembling guns in random serial number order using parts stockpiled during the 1920s. The only way to nail down the exact date is to request a factory letter.
carguychris is offline  
Old September 16, 2009, 10:30 PM   #1877
Uncle Lar
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 16, 2009
Posts: 2
Pop's pistol

Thanks. I knew it had to be pretty old.
Uncle Lar is offline  
Old September 17, 2009, 11:36 AM   #1878
NavyEngineer
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 17, 2009
Posts: 7
Model 29-2 Serial Number N744XX

Can anyone tell me the age of this revolver? I guessing early 1970s? Thanks.
NavyEngineer
NavyEngineer is offline  
Old September 17, 2009, 12:43 PM   #1879
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
Can anyone tell me the age of this revolver? I guessing early 1970s?
And you would be correct. Serial numbers ran from N1 in 1969 to N100000 in 1972.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old September 17, 2009, 02:51 PM   #1880
NavyEngineer
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 17, 2009
Posts: 7
Model 29-2

Thanks, Jim!
NavyEngineer is offline  
Old September 18, 2009, 10:02 PM   #1881
FLMom
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 18, 2009
Posts: 3
I just inherited my father's revolver. I don't really know anything about it. It's a S&W .38 special, serial number starts with 446
If you could help me out I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
FLMom is offline  
Old September 18, 2009, 10:15 PM   #1882
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
It's a S&W .38 special, serial number starts with 446
Gonna need more info. Is it a 5 shot or 6? Take the serial number off the bottom of the grip butt and include any letters (see 1st picture). You can X out the last couple of digits but I need to know how many digits are there.
If it's recent manufacture the model number can be seen, as in the second picture, when you open the cylinder. (in this case a 629-1)

Jim

laytonj1 is offline  
Old September 18, 2009, 10:38 PM   #1883
FLMom
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 18, 2009
Posts: 3
Thanks for the info. It is a 5 shot. There are no letters in the serial number. The serial number is 6 digits. 4465XX
It says Model 36 on the inside. It looks pretty old.
FLMom is offline  
Old September 18, 2009, 10:50 PM   #1884
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Your model 36 falls in the SN/date range of 295000 in 1962 to 784544 in 1969.
So, mid 60's.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old September 18, 2009, 10:58 PM   #1885
FLMom
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 18, 2009
Posts: 3
Thanks Jim
FLMom is offline  
Old September 18, 2009, 11:26 PM   #1886
480volt
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 18, 2009
Posts: 3
old 32

I have aquirred an old S & W 32 long square butt,4 1/4", blued serial 43xxx looks like it has a B stamped before the serial# and a diamond after the serial# under the barrel, I think it is a1903 -1st change except this one has target sights. Any help would be appreciated.
480volt is offline  
Old September 19, 2009, 12:10 AM   #1887
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
I have aquirred an old S & W 32 long square butt,4 1/4", blued serial 43xxx looks like it has a B stamped before the serial# and a diamond after the serial# under the barrel, I think it is a1903 -1st change except this one has target sights.
A serial number of 43XXX would date it as a 1903 1st change, which was also available with target sights (worth a premium). But, the SCSW lists those as having round butts. Since the target versions came with extended grips which look like square butt, try removing them to see if it is a round butt.
The diamond and "B" letter refer to a factory refinish in blue and possible parts replacement.

Jim

Last edited by laytonj1; September 19, 2009 at 12:21 AM.
laytonj1 is offline  
Old September 19, 2009, 07:58 AM   #1888
480volt
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 18, 2009
Posts: 3
it is a round butt with extended grips with 2 screws in the grip. The gun is in about 90% with only light wear around the muzzle due to holster wear.Does anybody have any idea about its value.
480volt is offline  
Old September 19, 2009, 02:23 PM   #1889
NGIB
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 30, 2007
Location: Ft Stewart, GA
Posts: 932
Picked up a Model 37 today at my local shop that had come from a police dept buy. Very clean and the hammer bob was professionally done. The serial # is ADB14XX - when was it born...

NGIB is offline  
Old September 19, 2009, 04:28 PM   #1890
tyusclan
Member
 
Join Date: August 17, 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 45
According to the book it should be 1983.

There is one caveat on the three-letter, four-number serial numbers. There are often large gaps in sequence, or a sequence used for special runs before they were due to be used, etc.

The only way to know for sure is to get a letter from S&W, (true for all Smiths, but more so for these serial numbers) but unless there is some collector value to the gun, it may not be worth the cost.
tyusclan is offline  
Old September 19, 2009, 09:19 PM   #1891
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
The gun is in about 90% with only light wear around the muzzle due to holster wear.Does anybody have any idea about its value.
The problem with giving a value is it's been refinished. That, and the book says "premium for target sights" but doesn't say how much. That said, it was made between 1904 and 1906 and is a target model so it will likely still have collector value. I just don't know what it would be. Sorry.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old September 19, 2009, 10:42 PM   #1892
480volt
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 18, 2009
Posts: 3
Jim,thank you for help.I am going to go to the Fort worth Gun show tommorow, I will see what I can find out there now that you helped me identify what it is.
480volt is offline  
Old September 20, 2009, 08:37 PM   #1893
RETPDSGT
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 20, 2009
Posts: 2
Can anyone tell me about this S&W?

I have a K frame 22 with the serial number 72123. There is no model number on the shank. It looks rather old, I think late 40s early 50s maybe. It has a 6" barrel (not tapered)
RETPDSGT is offline  
Old September 20, 2009, 10:07 PM   #1894
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
I have a K frame 22 with the serial number 72123. There is no model number on the shank. It looks rather old, I think late 40s early 50s maybe. It has a 6" barrel (not tapered)
Take the serial number from the bottom of the grip butt. There should be a "K" prefix. K72123 would be 1948.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old September 21, 2009, 12:48 PM   #1895
fogwoman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 21, 2009
Posts: 2
Dad's gun

My dad passed away and the executor wants to know if I want this gun. It's a S&W .357, F27, Serial AUJxxxx. Good condition, 4" barrel. I'd appreciate any info you can provide...
fogwoman is offline  
Old September 21, 2009, 02:18 PM   #1896
FlyFish
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2009
Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
My dad passed away and the executor wants to know if I want this gun. It's a S&W .357, F27, Serial AUJxxxx. Good condition, 4" barrel. I'd appreciate any info you can provide...
Well, regardless of anything else, the answer to the executor's question is "Hell, yes!"

Now that that's out of the way . . . Based on the serial number, the gun was produced in 1987, but it's not possible to say much more without either a lot of work trying to figure out which .357 models were being produced with 4" barrels in 1987, or (better) working from the model number, which will be stamped on the frame in the area that's exposed when you swing the cylinder out. If you can provide that, along with the "dash" variation - e.g., M27-5, then we can tell you a lot more. The "F27" has no particular meaning for me (unless it's really "M27", in which case you've got a very desirable revolver), but maybe someone else can chime in. Where on the gun does it appear?
FlyFish is offline  
Old September 22, 2009, 08:49 AM   #1897
damHans
Junior Member
 
Join Date: November 10, 2006
Posts: 3
I just picked up a Model 36 locally. The S/N on the bottom of the grip frame is 96xx (only four digits), but the number on the crane and the frame under the crane is 429xx. The rear of the cylinder also has the same number as the bottom of the grip frame. Which one is correct? Either way it was made in the early 50's right?

Oh and I paid $350 for it. I'm no expert but I'd put the finish at about 85-90%. The lock-up isn't as tight as my SP101, but it's serviceable.
damHans is offline  
Old September 22, 2009, 09:43 AM   #1898
FlyFish
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2009
Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley
Posts: 1,731
damHans: The number on the frame (bottom of grip) is the legal serial number for the gun. It should also appear on the frame cutout that's exposed when you swing the cylinder out. If so, then the 429XXs are "assembly numbers" used to keep track of fitted parts during manufacture. I the 96XX doesn't appear anywhere else on the frame then I suppose it's possible that could mean that the gun was cobbled together from two other guns. The SN of 96XX would indicate a birthdate of 1952; 429XX would be 53-54.
FlyFish is offline  
Old September 22, 2009, 10:15 AM   #1899
fogwoman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: September 21, 2009
Posts: 2
Dad's gun

Quote:
Well, regardless of anything else, the answer to the executor's question is "Hell, yes!"
Ok-done!
The Model Number is 19-5. Anything else you might know about it?
I fired it a few times -- very nice! I think it's a keeper regardless of its heritage!!
Thanks for the info and FAST reply. What a great forum this is.
fogwoman is offline  
Old September 22, 2009, 10:41 AM   #1900
FlyFish
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 20, 2009
Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley
Posts: 1,731
fogwoman: The Model 19 appears on just about anyone's short list of desirable S&W revolvers. I have a 19-2 from 1963 that's one of my favorite revolvers, and one that goes to the range often. The 19 is built on a slightly beefed-up K frame, which is the "medium" frame size used by S&W, and was intended to provide a smaller alternative to the "N" frame Model 27. You can get a ton more info on the Model 19 here, so I won't take up space repeating much of it.

Although like all Smiths it's a solid sturdy gun, the 19 was intended to be carried a lot and shot less (with .357s), so I'd not recommend a steady diet of full .357 loads. Like all .357s it will shoot .38 Special just fine and both you and the gun will be happier for it.

With regard to the -5 variation, it was made from 1982 to 1988. Smith used to pin the barrels of its revolvers and counterbore the cylinders on the magnums, but dropped both features in 1982, presumably as a cost-cutting measure. As a result your gun is of slightly less interest to some collectors, but of course of no less interest to you (my dad was not a gun hobbyist, so I'm always envious of those who have such priceless family heirlooms).

Last edited by FlyFish; September 22, 2009 at 02:34 PM.
FlyFish is offline  
Reply

Tags
s&w 686

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2024 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.48429 seconds with 9 queries