Smith and Wesson serial number search

[laytonj1]

629-1 serial number A700xxx

Recheck the serial number. Take the serial number from the bottom of the grip butt. You may need to remove the grips to see it. It should have a three letter prefix followed by four numbers or an "N" prefix with six numbers.

Jim

[Darth Kur]

My friend recently acquired a rather vintage S&W revolver in the 38 Special caliber. At least that round fits securely in the cylinder so I am assuming that is indeed what it takes. What I am wondering is that if it is a very early example of this round might it not require black powder cartridges rather than smokeless? There are no indications of a model number present nor caliber upon the gun itself. The only writing, other than the large S&W insignia on either side of the frame, is a small grouping of patent dates on the top of the short barrel and a four digit serial number in three separate locations. It has a 6 shot swing-out cylinder and intricately detailed black hardened rubber grips. The serial number is 3954. The writing on the barrel is as follows: S.A. Pat Jul 1 84, Dec 2 96, Oct 4 98. See attached pictures below for further details.
Could someone please indicate what year this might have been made, what model it might be and what particular rounds it will require? It would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

[laytonj1]

Darth Kur,

It is a .38 military & Police 1st Model.
Serial numbers ran from 1 in 1899 to 20975 in 1902. It is chambered for modern .38 special ammo.
The barrel has been cut back/shortened resulting in the missing locking lug from under the barrel.
It was made before heat treating so no +p ammo. I would also have it checked out before firing it.

Jim

[Renfield]

ok, had to remove the Pachmayrs. AZCO8xx

[laytonj1]

ok, had to remove the Pachmayrs. AZCO8xx

1988.

Jim

[Darth Kur]

Thank you Jim for the valuable information. My friend is going to be very pleased to hear this. I will make sure she does get it looked over before it is first used, as you advised.

[laytonj1]

Darth Kur,

After doing some more research, the first models did not have a locking lug so that is not an issue after all. The barrel has been shortened though. Original barrel lengths ran from 4" to 6.5".
One other thing, first models are very collectable and bring good prices.

Jim

[dogspit]

Thanks Jim for the info!

lol on the name.

Just a poor spellir I am !:}

[westenhoffer]

Jim,

Thank you very much with your help in identifying the WWII revolver!

V/r

Tom

[Darth Kur]

Thanks again, Jim, for the update. I'm glad to hear that the gun hasn't been terribly altered. Still, it's a shame that it was altered at all. I doubt my friend will care as much as I would. I always prefer everything to be in original condition. At least whoever did the shorting on the barrel did a professional job. Since I know she'll ask, how much would this gun be worth and how much does the alteration affect that?

[Renfield]

thank you very much Jim, weren't they made between 82 and 88? the dash ones I mean

[laytonj1]

weren't they made between 82 and 88? the dash ones I mean

Yes. Below is the breakdown for standard 629's. Classic and Classic DX's were slightly different.

629 no dash = 1979 to 1982.
629-1 = 1982 to 1988. Eliminate pinned barrel and recessed cylinder.
629-2 = 1988 to 1989. New yoke retention. Radius stud package. Floating hand.
629-2E = 1989. Start endurance package. Hardened yoke and frame.
629-3 = 1989 to 1993. Longer stop notch. Bolt block added. Fixed hand.
629-4 = 1993 to 1997. Rounded rear sight leaf. Frame drilled and tapped.
629-5 = 1997 to 2001. Start of MIM. New frame. Floating firing pin.
629-6 = 2001 to 2005. Internal lock.
629-7 = 2005. 2 piece barrel design.
629-8 = 2006. Slabside barrel.

Jim

[laytonj1]

Since I know she'll ask, how much would this gun be worth and how much does the alteration affect that?

I wished I could give you a good figure but there are few First Models being sold to get pricing from. Also, condition is very important (and hard to decipher from the pics). As for the shortened barrel, it will lower value but how much depends on the quality of the job and how bad a collector wants it.

That said, here's a 2006 price listing (values have increased since) from the SCSW:
Fair - $250.
Good - $375.
VG - $500.
Exc - $700
Exc+ - $1200

Jim

[Renfield]

thank you again

[Darth Kur]

Thanks again, Jim. I appreciate all the help.

[zombie44]

Just picked up an S&W 29-3 3" 44 mag:



Serial #ALB7XXX

Can anyone tell me the approx. date of manufacture or any more history of this piece?

Thanks for the info!

[laytonj1]

Serial #ALB7XXX

1985.
Product code 101224. 29-3 Combat Magnum 3" barrel. Part of a 5000 gun run made for Lew Horton distributors in 1984/85.

I not certain your grips are original though.

Jim

[CeeGro]

Looking for a year my gun was born and trying to find a new slide for my 39-2 in silver.... any help for this newbie would be very much appreciated

A281XXX

[FlyFish]

CeeGro: 1975-76. Numrich lists a variety of options for replacement slides in nickel (not silver) finish - I believe they're all used rather than new, but perhaps that's not a problem for you. Is the slide missing or damaged beyond repair? Even though replacements are not too expensive, you might have cheaper options.

Parts for your gun here: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...spx?catid=9881

[rezman]

Got a date for a 629-1, Ser# AYS 94XX?

Thanks.

[FlyFish]

rezman: AYS prefix would be 1988 - possibly 1987 because it appears from SCSW that some of the "AY-" series was used out of order, but I think 1988 is more likely.

[adaher]

Hello guys, I recently acquired a S&W 64-2, serial AFA30** as a hand me down from a family member.

It appears to be in SS with wood grips, 6 shot, 2" barrel.

It is the first revolver that I've owned and I would like to know as much as possible about. The original owner passed away many years ago so I can't ask them. Any information/history on this gun would be appreciated!

[FlyFish]

adaher: The Model 64, also referred to as the .38 Military & Police Stainless, was introduced in 1970. It's essentially a stainless-steel version of the extremely popular .38 Military & Police (which later became the Model 10) that dates back to the turn of the century. It was originally standard with a 4" tapered barrel, then was produced with a 4" heavy barrel in .357, a gun that later got its own model designation as the Model 65.

The tapered barrel was dropped in 1973. It's not entirely clear from SCSW when the 2" barrel was added to the lineup, but it was either prior to or at the same time as the introduction of the 64-2 in 1977. There have been many special production runs of Model 64s for various police departments around the country, with the guns bearing the name of the department they were made for.

The AFA prefix indicates that your gun dates from late 1984. The 64-2 was produced until 1988, when it was replaced by the 64-4, which incorporated a number of design changes involving the yoke, hammer nose, and hand.

[adaher]

Thanks FlyFish, that's really helpful!

[CeeGro]

xx