Smith and Wesson serial number search

[carguychris]

First (Larger): .38 Caliber i think. SN: 106218 Only other info on it is as follows.
Smith&Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. PAT'D Jan17&24.65
July.11.65 Aug.24.69 July.25.71 Dec.2.79 May11&25.1880

Second (Smaller): .30 caliber i think. SN: 123046 Other Info
Smith&Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. PAT'D Jan24.65
July.11.65 Aug.24.65 REISSUE July.25.71 May11.80 Jan.3.82

Both guns are what's known as top-breaks.

#1 is a .38 Double Action 2nd Model made in 1884. It's chambered in .38 Smith & Wesson aka .38S&W, which should not be confused with the newer, more powerful, and much more commonplace .38 Special.

#2 is a .32 Double Action 4th Model probably made around 1890. It's chambered in .32 Smith & Wesson aka .32S&W. The cartridge is commonly called the .32 Short to avoid confusion with the newer, more powerful, and somewhat more commonplace .32 S&W Long aka .32 Long.

...what looks like a S&W scofield 44 mag...

So when do we get to see that one? It might be a rare and valuable gun, but I'll caution you that Spanish fakes outnumber real S&W Model Number Threes (of which the Schofield is a subtype) by a vast margin. FWIW real S&W top-breaks were never chambered in .44 Magnum; Schofields were chambered in .45 S&W aka .45 S&W Short (to avoid confusion with the .45 Long Colt cartridge simultaneously used by the U.S. military), and most other Number Threes were chambered in .44 Russian, although a wide variety of other chamberings were available.

[gbarnes15]

Hi everyone, I just purchased this really nice condition used S&W-model 617 in a 6" barrel lengh. Serial # BHH6xxx. Was wondering if anyone could offer any information about it. Possibly date of mfg, and are these grips standard on this model. Thanks for any comments, and it's greatly appreciated.

[stikman33]

Thanks for the reply carguy, thats exactly the type of info i was looking for. I will be over at his house on sunday and will take some pics of the other revolvers that he has there.

Now maybe this is a question for another forum, but what would be a good method of restoring/cleaning these up. I dont know how far i can go into the surface rust, and dont want to damage the plating that is remaining. Are these rare guns that i should leave in the current condition, or take a little bit of careful time and try to get some of the surface rust off?

Also, is there a source for parts out there? Would be interested in getting the hammer pin for the .38.

Thanks again!

Daniel

[laytonj1]

Hi everyone, I just purchased this really nice condition used S&W-model 617 in a 6" barrel lengh. Serial # BHH6xxx. Was wondering if anyone could offer any information about it. Possibly date of mfg, and are these grips standard on this model.

1991. Yes, the combat grips are standard. 617's/17's are really nice and accurate guns.

Jim

[carguychris]

Are these rare guns that i should leave in the current condition, or take a little bit of careful time and try to get some of the surface rust off?

Neither of these guns are rare. Hundreds of thousands of them were sold. Both of your guns have a 3-1/4" barrel and nickel finish, which is probably the most commonly encountered configuration. Book value of the .38 is ~$120, while book value of the .32 is ~$100. I'd say go ahead and clean 'em up.

[suncatg58]

If I might get some help with another S&W I would be very thankful. This time it is for a model 10, serial 278xxx.

thanks to all for this much appreciated service...

[AirLiteTi]

Thanks in advance for the help.

Bought an AirLite Ti today. No idea of year of manufacture. Serial Number CDF2520.

Thanks again.

the REV

[laytonj1]

If I might get some help with another S&W I would be very thankful. This time it is for a model 10, serial 278xxx.

Is there a letter prefix with that serial number? The SN would be found on the bottom of the grip butt.

Jim

[laytonj1]

Bought an AirLite Ti today. No idea of year of manufacture. Serial Number CDF2520

March 1999.

Jim

[stikman33]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

I wanted to clean them up and put them on my wall just for sentiment reasons and i think they are cool antiques. I will get on them then and take off the surface rust.

What is the best way to remove some of the surface rust and clean them really well?

[crazycd1]

Looking at a S&W 36 revolver serial number J9567XX, what year would that be? Its a blued 2" barrel model, 350 is the asking price.

[AirLiteTi]

Quote:
Bought an AirLite Ti today. No idea of year of manufacture. Serial Number CDF2520

March 1999.

Jim


Thanks Jim, 3 minutes with a reply. Beats sending 50 bucks to s&w.

-the REV

[laytonj1]

Thanks Jim, 3 minutes with a reply. Beats sending 50 bucks to s&w.

You haven't received my bill yet.

Looking at a S&W 36 revolver serial number J9567XX, what year would that be? Its a blued 2" barrel model, 350 is the asking price.

1982. In decent shape $350 is a fair price.

Jim

[suncatg58]

there is no letter prefix on my M10 (M&P), just the 6 digit serial # i mentioned earlier. also no "marcas registradas" spanish text or big engraved SW seal which makes me think its a bit older than i thought.

[crazycd1]

That was fast, thanks Jim. He claims 95 to 98% so I hope to look at it soon!

[AirLiteTi]

Looks and works like new for 400.00
Always wanted one but titanium was out of my price range.
Seemed like a good deal to me.
Laser grips should be in 3 days from now, makes it the perfect carry gun IMHO.
Thanks again.

[laytonj1]

there is no letter prefix on my M10 (M&P), just the 6 digit serial # i mentioned earlier. also no "marcas registradas" spanish text or big engraved SW seal which makes me think its a bit older than i thought.

Yeah, quite a bit older. It's a 38 Military and Police of 1905, 4th Change. SN's ran from 241704 in 1915 to 1000000 in 1942. Your serial number is likely pre 1920. They did not become know as model 10's until S&W assigned model numbers in 1958.

Jim

[suncatg58]

that sounds like a nice $160 spent. i love antiques, you made my night!

[lennymo65]

ok, I seem to have found just the place to find out what I need to know... How about the DOM for a model 36 with the serial # j1900xx?
Thanks!

[laytonj1]

How about the DOM for a model 36 with the serial # j1900xx?

1973/74.

Jim

[lennymo65]

WOW! Thanks Jim!

[Camohead]

I have a S & W .45 ACP w/ "S & W D. A. 45" stamped on the right side of the barrel.

It has patent dates of Feb. 6, 06; Sept. 14, 09; Dec 29, 14 on top of the barrel.

It is nickel plated.

Checkered wood grips.

SN#634XX .

I have printed out the form to get it lettered. Looking at the S & W website it appears they are not currently accepting applications for letters. I plan on calling them tomorrow to verify.

In the mean time, can anyone give me any more info?

Thanks in advance.

[carguychris]

I have a S & W .45 ACP w/ "S & W D. A. 45" stamped on the right side of the barrel...

It is nickel plated.

Checkered wood grips.

SN#634XX

It's a .45 U.S. Army Model of 1917, commonly known as an M1917, made in 1918. A correct original one should have the text U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917 oriented vertically on the butt and the text UNITED STATES PROPERTY underneath the barrel flat. All M1917s originally had 6-1/2" barrels.

The military M1917s, which accounted for the vast majority of production, had blued finish and usually had smooth walnut grips. A few commercial-market M1917s were sold with nickel finish and checkered grips, which could make yours valuable if the finish and grips are original, but I'll caution you that they're probably not. Many M1917s were sold off during the 30s and 40s when military surplus guns were regarded as cheap tools. Distributors often gussied them up to squeeze a few more bucks out of them when they were resold. A few pictures may reveal whether the gun was refinished, because a low-quality refinish (and most were low-quality) is usually easy to spot.

FWIW one of the common modifications was to cut the barrel to a more carry-friendly ~4-1/2" length; such guns are known among collectors as "Indy Specials" after a famous fictional character who carried one.

[Camohead]

Thanks for that info!

I'm not the best photographer but here are a couple of shots. If you need a different angle, let me know:

[Camohead]

BTW, there is no "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" any where and the only thing on the barrel flat is the SN.

I suppose that it could have been covered by a refinish but I can't tell that it has been refinished, but I am certainly no expert.