Smith and Wesson serial number search

[RXDI]

Hey all.

My grandfather recently gave a S&W 38 Special that I would like to find more about.

When someone gets a chance could you lookup the DOB please?

Serial# C 217XXX (Square Butt)

[laytonj1]

Serial# C 217XXX

SN's ran from from C1 in 1948 to C223998 in 1951.
It's a .38 Military & Police which became the model 10 when S&W began assigning model numbers in 1957.

Jim

[RXDI]

Thanks Jim!

Any idea what this thing is worth at 90%?

[musc]

I have a S&W Model 27-2 Serial# N373xxx. I would like to know what year this gun was made. Thanks!!

[jdsal]

My father recently left me S&W 357 model 19-3 # 2K4211xx, all the data I could find shows it DOB was between 1967-1977. It wears Pachmayr Presentation Grips and is marked O.C.S.D.

I would like to put original S&W grips back on her. The research I’ve done, shows early -3 (which I believe to be) she could have worn Diamond grips, a DOB will help me find the correct target grips.

And any info you would like to share about the correct grips that may be helpful.

When someone gets a chance could you look up the DOB please?

[laytonj1]

27-2 Serial# N373xxx

N3xxxxx ran from 1975 to 1976.

model 19-3 # 2K4211xx

You have one too many digits in the SN. Assuming it's 2K421xx it's 1971.
That's a few years after the diamond grips were discontinued (around 1968).
A 6" would have target grips, 4" target or magna and a 2.5" would be magna.

Jim

[jdsal]

laytonj1,
Thanks so much for the info you are right about one to many #1

[BigShep85]

s&w model 58 serial #N54***. I will gladly provide any other needed info. Thanks guys.

[wayneinFL]

I have a rusty old S&W top break, single action, 44 cal. I think it's a 44 Russian model 3. Serial number is 30404. Any idea what the date would be on it?

[laytonj1]

#N54***.

N1 thru N99999 ran from 1969 to 1972.

Serial number is 30404

That serial number along with 44 caliber leaves four possibilities:
1)2nd Model American (single action). SN's ran from 8000 to 32800 from 1872 to 1874.
2)First Model Russian (aka Model Number 3 Russian 1st Model)(single action). SN's ran from 6000 to 32800 from 1871 to 1874.
3)New Model Number Three (single action). SN's ran from 1 to 35796 from 1878 to 1912.
4).44 Double Action. SN's ran from 1 to 54668 from 1881 to 1913.

Jim

[Samadams2000]

I think I just stole a model 12-3 in minty. SN # 4Dxxxxx. Able to pinpoint the year of mfg? Regards in advance!

[mlj]

Just got a new to me smith and wesson 38 ok condition would like to know year it was made no model looks a m 10 4'' serial number c13xx
any info would help
Thanks Mike

[sgms]

Picture would help but most likely a Military & Police that became model 10 in 1957 by serial number it was most likely made in 1948-49.

[Dave Anderson]

The "C" prefix for S&W M&P revolvers started March 22, 1948. S&W at the time was turning out thousands of these revolvers every month to meet an overwhelming demand from U.S. (and international) police agencies.

S/N C13XX most likely dates to late March/early April of 1948.

[laytonj1]

12-3 in minty. SN # 4Dxxxxx

1979.

Jim

[mlj]

Wow thanks for the information on the dating my new toy. Will be trying her out at the range. thanks again

[wayneinFL]

3)New Model Number Three (single action). SN's ran from 1 to 35796 from 1878 to 1912.

Thanks. It's definitely single action. Looking at pictures on Google, it looks like the New Model Number Three. Mine is the 12th serial number after a shipment to Japan in 1896, so it must be around that time frame.

Thanks!

BTW, where do you get this information from? Is it the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson? I just picked up a copy off Amazon.

[choppero]

I have what I believe to be an early mod 27 357 mag. I say this because of the narrow line checkering on the rib and rear sight. On the flat on the cylinder side where the crane rests is the number 24707 with a 7 below. The serial number on the square butt is S 102xxx. The barrel is 3 1/2 in with a pinned barrel and the front sight blade has 2 pins. And the cylinder has recessed chambers. Can any one give me an idea as to the year of mfg? Thanks

[Dave Anderson]

The serial number on the square butt is S 102xxx.

The serial number dates to 1953-1954, most likely 1954.

This would be a pre-number model (model numbers weren't assigned until 1957) and was simply called the .357 Magnum.

[laytonj1]

BTW, where do you get this information from? Is it the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson?

Yes, that and hanging around the S&W forums.

Jim

[Heritage Ranch]

greetings all, this is a great thread and I thank everyone for the information that has been shared. I tried to source a copy of the recommended books at the local library with no success. as I have only 1 smith and wesson revolver I would like to ask for your assistance in estimating the age of mine. It is a double action 22 long rifle with around a 6 inch barrel. I suspect it is on the K frame as the serial number is k 216xxx. it is a great little gun to shoot with a nice adjustable rear sight and a sweet trigger pull. I see no model number designation on it's. on 1 side the barrel says smith and wesson. and the other side of the barrel says 22 long rifle cartridge. I don't suspect it to be very valuable as it is just a shooter showing significant wear and tear, but is in excellent mechanical working condition. And certainly more accurate than I am. thank you for any information you can give me about this piece and I'll try to attach a picture.

Thanks HR

[laytonj1]

serial number is k 216xxx

It's a K-22 Masterpiece. It is a K frame.
Serial number dates it to 1954.
S&W did not begin using/stamping model numbers until 1957 at which time the K-22 became the Model 17.

Jim

[BrownTrout]

Hi gentlemen. I just bought what I was told is a S&W pre-model 10. serial is 8572xx. The bbl. is 2 3/8" or so. There is no cartridge designation on the barrel (leading me to believe it was maybe cut-down), however the front sight/crown etc. appear to surely be factory, and when I asked the seller, he assured me it was not cut.

there is no shroud on the ejector rod, the left side of the revolver is completely blank (no stamping). The right side reads "Made in USA" above the trigger, and the S&W logo between the grip and cylinder. The number 92904 is stamped both on the crane and the inside of the frame, but is not the serial.

The cylinder has "ENGLAND" stamped on it once. There is a very small crown/BNP, spaced every-other chamber, a total of 3 around.

It appears it was chambered in .38-200 and the chambers updated to accept .38 special.

It is a 5-screw, checkered (rather than smooth wartime) walnut grips, blued with case-color hammer and trigger. Hammer is narrow and finely checkered, trigger is grooved.


Does anyone out there know what I have? I don't know if it's rare or a chopped up classic...

[Heritage Ranch]

thanks jim,

you guys got a great group here. hopefully someday I'll be able to contribute more than just questions. thank you again for the information.

Thanks HR

[Dave Anderson]

This is some information from "A History of Smith & Wesson" by Roy Jinks, along with some "informed estimates".

On March 11, 1940 S&W began making Military & Police revolvers for British Commonwealth nations then at war with Germany. They were chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge. Since the British service load was a 200 gr. lead roundnose bullet they were often referred to as .38/200 British service revolvers.

They were made in 4, 5, and 6" barrel lengths. Initially, from March 11, 1940 to December 4, 1941, they had the same high-polish bright blue finish as regular commercial S&Ws. From Dec 4, 1941 to April 10, 1942 they had a brushed blue finish. After April 10 1942 they had a parkerized finish.

The company was making 6,000 to 7,000 of these revolvers a month. On April 24, 1942 the M&P serial numbers reached 999999. S&W started over again at s/n 1, with a "V" (for victory) prefix.

Doing the arithmetic, take 999999, deduct 857200, and divide by (we'll estimate) 6,500 revolvers made per month, and we can estimate your revolver was made about 22 months before the V prefix was introduced on April 24, 1942, or roughly June/July 1940.

Obviously we don't know exactly how many revolvers were made each month so this is only an estimate, but it is a reasonable estimate.

After the war Britain was desperately in need of foreign exchange to rebuild its country and repay war debts. Thousands of military arms (e.g. Lee-Enfields and S&W revolvers) were exported to Commonwealth nations (Australia, Canada, New Zealand) and to the U.S.

Many of the S&W .38 S&W revolvers were rechambered before export to accept the much more popular (in the U.S.) .38 Special cartridge by firms such as Parker-Hale and Cogswell & Harrison. Also, many which were exported still in the original .38 S&W chambering were later rechambered to .38 Special by U.S. gunsmiths.

The conversion was not a very good idea. The .38 Special cartridge is longer, has more case capacity, and in factory loads is generally more powerful than the .38 S&W cartridge. It is also a bit smaller in diameter, fits loosely in lengthened .38 S&W chambers, and expands considerably on firing. It's a conversion no responsible company or gunsmith would ever consider doing today.

It was common in the 1950s and '60s to see these revolvers advertised with barrels shortened and a new front sight installed. I guess the idea was to make them look more like the S&W Chiefs Special and Colt Detective Special revolvers which were very popular at the time (and still are, for that matter).

To address your question "is it rare or a chopped up classic", from the information you've provided I'd lean to a "chopped up classic" opinion.