Smith and Wesson serial number search

[mesajim]

I have an older S&W 5 shot revolver, S/N 55XXX and am interested in finding any info on it, like model and type (New to forum, don't know exactly what I'm doing) All S/N's match on various places on gun and grip. It has original holster marked S&W. I am trying to attach a picture. It looks like it has had the old finish removed. Barrel and action is very good.Thanks in advance

[laytonj1]

The serial number is 8828X

38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 1st Change.Serial numbers ran from 73251 in 1906 to 146899 in 1909.

S&W 5 shot revolver, S/N 55XXX

I'm assuming it's chambered in 38 Special?
If so, it's a Chiefs Special made in 1955.
If the chambering stamped on the side of the barrel is something different (like 38 S&W) then I'll need that info to correctly date it.

Jim

[mesajim]

It is chambered in .38 (right side of barrel stamped 38 S&W CTG) Thanks for the response.

[LC Dave]

I just joined the forum and am glad to be here. I'm looking forward to participating in many threads.

I have a S.& W. 38 SPL. The serial number is 317XX (last two numbers omitted).

The pistol has been with the family for some time and I was wondering about when it was manufactured. Thanks in advance.

[laytonj1]

right side of barrel stamped 38 S&W CTG

Then it's either a .38 Regulation Police (Square Butt) or .38/32 Terrier (round butt). For either one the SN would date to very late 40's to early 50's.

I have a S.& W. 38 SPL. The serial number is 317XX

See pic for serial number location and is it a 5 shot or 6?

Jim

[LC Dave]

It's a five shot. I read the numbers from the same area as your picture. Five digits, with last two covered with my fat thumb.

[BGR]

I need some help ID'ing an old revoler. It is a Smith and Wesson .38 Special CTG. K/L frame, not sure which. Square butt.

I was told it was a police issue service pistol made in the 70s or 80s.

Serial is either 541344 or S41344 on the inside of the cylinder and on the frame, and 57791 in the yoke area.

I hope you fellows can help me. I inherited these firearms and they have been nothing but a burden to my state of mind. It's worries me to death that my kids will find these guns.

[laytonj1]

It's a five shot. I read the numbers from the same area as your picture. Five digits, with last two covered with my fat thumb.

I love pictures. It's an early Chiefs Special, a really nice one too! SN dates it to 1953/54.

Serial is either 541344

That would be the serial number on the butt and cylinder. It's a K frame .38 Military & Police. SN dates it to around late 1920's.

Jim

[LC Dave]

Thank you Mr. Layton for the swift reply. The manufacturing date goes right along with the owner's rookie year with the police department.

I appreciate your help.

[BGR]

That would be the serial number on the butt and cylinder. It's a K frame .38 Military & Police. SN dates it to around late 1920's.

Jim

Hi Jim, Thank you so much for your time and research. I feel much better about selling it now that I know what I have. Can anyone give me an appraisal or rough estimate on this piece? It is fully functional with smooth action but it does have it's cosmetic flaws.

[Mark14]

I just purchased a S&W K frame, and am looking to find out the model and year.

When you open the cyclinder it appears to be stamped 14440
The bottom of the grip has K 305XXX
thanks

[Controlfreak]

Awesome site you all have here. Am looking forward to many hours perusing posts, asking questions, and maybe even help with a few replies of my own with my limited experience and knowledge.

I've inherited a revolver from my father, who inherited it from my grandfather. I have no desire to sell but would however like to glean a bit of history on the firearm. The family story (however skewed over the years) is that my grandfather spent the better part of a year living out of a hotel room in Vegas sometime in the 40's (salesman). While there, he befriended another long-stay hotel resident from Chicago (occupation unknown). One day my grandfather walked into his friends room and this revolver was laying out in the open on a nightstand. My grandfather expressed interest in the revolver but the other fellow shut him down pretty quick. A few months later the other fellow checked out and moved away, but left a package with the front desk for my grandfather. In the package was the revolver. No note left, and he never heard from the fellow again.

The revolver had been altered as the barrel is 1 3/8"-1 1/2" long and I can't find a record of this ever being made. However, the job was done professionally from what I can see as the barrel is nicely crowned (no hack job) and the blade front site is attached/reattached. It's a 5 shot revolver, nickel/chrome plated, double action, safety hammerless (lemon squeezer) in .38 S&W. Serial number is intact on the butt, it is 141xx. Can someone give me an idea as to date of manufacture?

I'm not selling the revolver for obvious sentimental reasons but am curious as to the history. Came from my father's estate with a cool little leather paddle holster for behind the belt but am unsure of it's age.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

[Grant D]

I just bought a m-37 no dash serial # 1J29168 anybody know the production year off hand?? would be greatly appreciated, thank guys.

[FlyFish]

Mark14: The SN on virtually all S&W revolvers is the number stamped on the butt - yours dates the gun to 1957. It's not possible to determine the model without more information, such as caliber, barrel length, etc. A photo would be good if you have one. That said, S&W started numbering their various models (they previously just used names) in 1957, so it's possible your gun may have the model number stamped inside the yoke cutout. If not, supply more info and someone will be along to tell you the model.

Controlfreak: With that SN, you have a .38 Safety Hammerless 2nd Model; 37,350 of them were produced from 1887 to 1890. The SN range was from 5251 to 42483, so yours was most likely made in late '87 - early '88, but that's just an estimate. If the barrel length is as you say (measured from the forcing cone/front of cylinder) you're correct that it did not leave the factory that way.

Grant D: 1983

[Grant D]

FlyFish: Thank you sir.

[Controlfreak]

Thanks very much for the info FlyFish.

[ithaca66]

Hello my first post. I have acquired four 4" Smith Revolvers and was currious as to the dates. Thanks for any help in advance.
28-2 S244xxx
19-3 2K60xxx
66-1 115Kxxx
686-1 AUW0xxx

[FlyFish]

Here ya go . . .

28-2: 1964-65, the range was S236000 to S257999
19-3: 1972
66-1: 1981
686-1: 1986 (You know about the recall on this model, right?)

[ithaca66]

Flyfish,
Thank you for your fast reply. I do not know of the recall, can u further explain so that I can check to see if it has been fixed.

[FlyFish]

The "no dash" and -1 Model 686s (and also the Models 586, 581 and 681) had an issue with the firing pin and bushing that allowed metal from the priming cup to flow into this area with certain loads, which resulted in the cylinder locking up and disabling the weapon. S&W recalled these models and retrofitted a new bushing, and perhaps other parts as well, and stamped an "M" in the yoke cutout to indicate the modification had been performed.

Swing the cylinder out and look for the M in the area that the model number is stamped - if it's there you're all set. If not, my understanding is that S&W is still correcting the problem at no cost to the owner and you may want to contact them. I say "may" because the problem is rare and if the gun is not intended for SD work you may not want to bother. I have some 586s/686s with and some without the modified bushing - they're all range guns and I've never had a problem with the unmodified ones.

[Gremlin]

I've been looking through the thread trying to find my answer and haven't been able to solve it for myself... so... I'll be dependent upon smarter folks to help me.

I just bought a Model 17-4 K22 with target grips and pinned barrel and am trying to determine the age. Not owning many Smith's in my collection, I'm not familiar with what's important. It looks to me like it has three screws in the frame.

Just the fact that it's a 17-4 tells me something, but I'd like to get closer.

On the frame it shows:

31K0911
MOD 17-4

and the same number 31K0911 appears on the bottom of the frame under the target grips.

The cylinder crane it is stamped 68419 and the same number is stamped at the bottom of the frame under the left grip.

At the bottom of the frame (under the right grip) it is stamped 04548 with 'circle' C and 'triangle' N proof marks.

I figure that I've given too much information, but better that than too little. I appreciate your help!

[laytonj1]

number 31K0911 appears on the bottom of the frame under the target grips

Serial numbers ran from 25K0001 in 1978 to 56K9999 in 1979.

Jim


FlyFish, nice to have you back!

[Gremlin]

Thank you so much for the quick response. I appreciate the spirit of The Firing Line and the people that make it a haven for lovers of firearms.

Gremlin

[FlyFish]

Thanks, Jim. I haven't been too far away, just a bit busy with my long-anticipated, and now completed, relocation from Mass to NH.

[Scorpmann3518]

I know the discussion is old but I picked up a S&W Model 10-7 Yesterday and have been trying to date it.

SN is 4D502XX

Thanks for any help