The Firing Line Forums

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

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 18, 2011, 05:26 PM   #4201
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
I was wondering about the date for my Model 24-2. S/N is AEL13XX
The serial # dates it to 1984.
That said, it must be a -3 as the -2 ran from 1961 to 1967.
You likely have an example of the 24-3 that was part of a special 5000 gun run for Lew Horton distributors. It had a 3" barrel (measured from the face of the cylinder forward), round butt and wood fingergrooved combat grips.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 18, 2011, 08:12 PM   #4202
bje1969
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 18, 2011
Posts: 1
i was also wondering about my model 629 its the only one i own so i really dont want to buy the book i was wondering about the date of birth serial #bec38xx
bje1969 is offline  
Old May 19, 2011, 08:09 AM   #4203
jgskeet
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 18, 2011
Posts: 2
S&W Model 24

Thanks, Jim....I misread the numbers. It is a 24-3. I agree that this is likely a Lew Horton gun. It is a very nice piece. High gloss bluing and the grips have been exchanged for high end S&W wooden grips that look like they might be from the custom shop.
jgskeet is offline  
Old May 19, 2011, 08:17 AM   #4204
Joe from N.Y.
Member
 
Join Date: September 7, 2009
Posts: 16
Can anyone figure the date made of my .38 Chiefs Special #99524? It originally belonged to my uncle, who got it when he joined the NYPD back in the 1950's
Joe from N.Y. is offline  
Old May 19, 2011, 12:50 PM   #4205
Deptore
Junior Member
 
Join Date: October 19, 2010
Posts: 7
Jim,

Sorry about that, it is a 6 shot and the serial number was on the underside of the grip on the steel part. The prefix was a C so the serial was C 873**.

Just so you don't have to look back on the other page it was a 38 special ctg.

It looks like http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/de...n-revolver.htm except for a few differences.

1- the screw on the grips has a diamond in the wood around them
2- the & looks wierd

I called Smith & Wesson with the full serial and they said 1947-1960, I just think that's a wide area to cover with a serial.

Last edited by Deptore; May 19, 2011 at 12:57 PM.
Deptore is offline  
Old May 19, 2011, 02:02 PM   #4206
Dave Anderson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 4, 2011
Posts: 313
Quote:
Can anyone figure the date made of my .38 Chiefs Special #99524? It originally belonged to my uncle, who got it when he joined the NYPD back in the 1950's
I don't know of year-by-year serial number records for J-frames of that era. If anyone does I'd like to know about it. However it is know that s/n 75000 was made late in 1955 (December) when the top sideplate screw was discontinued. Also, s/n 125000 dates to June 1957 when S&W began using the model numbering system.

A reasonable estimate of production date for your Chiefs would be late 1956. Nice revolver, with an interesting history.

Hope no one minds if I chime in on this thread from time to time. Not trying to intrude on the excellent service being provided by laytonj1, but I sometimes notice an interesting question when I have time on my hands and a reference book handy.
Dave Anderson is offline  
Old May 19, 2011, 05:14 PM   #4207
Dave Anderson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 4, 2011
Posts: 313
Quote:
The prefix was a C so the serial was C 873**.
There don't seem to be year-by-year production records of this model. However we may be able to narrow it down a bit. After WW II an S prefix was used until numbers reached S999999. At that point the "C" series began. S/N C1 was made March 22, 1948.

An alloy-framed variation of the M&P revolver was introduced September 11, 1952 at s/n C223999. When the model numbering system was introduced in 1957 this would be known as the model 12. They were numbered in the same series as steel-frame M&Ps.

Since 223,999 M&P revolvers were made over a time frame of 4.5 years we can estimate production at about 50,000 annually. Of course there could be annual variations, but during this time revolvers were in great demand, both with law enforcement agencies and with private citizens. For the most part S&W was limited only by how many they could produce.

Assuming production rate was more or less steady, this would put date of manufacture of your revolver at around the end of January 1950.

Both the diamond-pattern grips and the "elongated & sign" are typical of S&W revolvers from that era.
Dave Anderson is offline  
Old May 20, 2011, 11:37 AM   #4208
somebizarredude
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 20, 2011
Posts: 2
Hello all, first post here. I just got a S&W 500 magnum used and was wondering if someone could tell me when it was made? #CHV8xxx

I know nothing about its history and am curious how old it is. also if its not to much trouble, maybe tell me what digits mean what? just trying to learn about them

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/4387/dscf5476a.jpg
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5417/dscf5478j.jpg

I would appreciate any help
somebizarredude is offline  
Old May 20, 2011, 02:44 PM   #4209
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
#CHV8xxx
Book goes to 2004 at CHM.
You'd have to call S&W customer service to get the DOB over the phone for free.
That said, I guess late 2004 to 2005.
Quote:
what digits mean what
Well, the ones above are the SN. Any others are assembly/inspector numbers.
If you mean the individual digits in the SN, they are simply an alpha/numeric sequence that started at AAA0000 in 1980 and has progressed along, although not necessarily in order...
In earlier times some of the digits in the SN would indicate a particular series, such as a "K" in the sequence would indicate an adjustable sighted K frame revolver (example: K123456 or 12K3456).

Quote:
Not trying to intrude on the excellent service being provided by laytonj1, but I sometimes notice an interesting question when I have time on my hands and a reference book handy.
Help is always appreciated.

Jim

Last edited by laytonj1; May 20, 2011 at 02:59 PM.
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 20, 2011, 04:12 PM   #4210
somebizarredude
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 20, 2011
Posts: 2
thank you very much laytonj1, that was extremely informative and helpful. I had no idea I could simply call S&W, thank you for that information also
somebizarredude is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 01:21 PM   #4211
Wolfs-Bane
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2011
Posts: 1
Lemon Squeezer

I'm new, and I don't really know to much about fire arms. However, today while out scavenging through yard sales, my Dad and I found a small revolver. It sparked my interest greatly, so we left the yard sale with the revolver bought for $25. As soon as I came home I looked it up online. I found out it's a Smith & Wesson Lemon Squeezer. But, I would like to know the date that it was manufactured. It looks old, but it is pretty banged up.
The Serial Number is A80108 (at least these are the numbers found on the bottom of the grip).

Thank you for any replies.

Last edited by Glenn E. Meyer; November 30, 2013 at 11:47 AM.
Wolfs-Bane is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 05:35 PM   #4212
pdbertb
Member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2011
Location: The Low Desert of CA
Posts: 50
I came across a nice S&W marked ".38 S&W Special C.T.G." at a local shop today. It has only some proof marks in the yoke but no model number or serial #. Serial # is 1854XX K and is only found under the grip strap. Can someone give me an idea of what model and the date of mfg.? It has target hammer, trigger and grips as well as an adjustable rear sight.

Last edited by pdbertb; May 21, 2011 at 05:49 PM.
pdbertb is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 07:41 PM   #4213
BigShep85
Member
 
Join Date: April 9, 2011
Posts: 95
wierd serial number placement?

Hi guys I need some help here, I looked at a s&w model 58 and looked on the crane for the serial number... just doing an overall check and the only numbers I found were "mod 58" the numbers "67435" and stamped just below the previous numbers were "g12" any help with these numbers? because I didnt know what to make of them, I didnt get a chance to take the grips off so I didnt get to look on the grip frame..... any input would be helpful.
BigShep85 is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 09:41 PM   #4214
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
The Serial Number is A80108
Lemon squeezers got their name because they have a grip safety that is squeezed before the gun can be fired.
The gun in your picture does not appear to be a S&W, although it is chambered for a S&W cartridge.
Also, S&W never used an "A" prefix SN until 1980.

Quote:
Serial # is 1854XX K
K1854xx = 1953.
If it's a 6" barrel it would be a K-38 Target Masterpiece which became the Model 14 when S&W began assigning model numbers ~1957.
A 4" barrel would make it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece which became the model 15.

Quote:
I looked at a s&w model 58
See pic for location of SN.


Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 10:38 PM   #4215
pdbertb
Member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2011
Location: The Low Desert of CA
Posts: 50
Quote:
Serial # is 1854XX K

K1854xx = 1953.
If it's a 6" barrel it would be a K-38 Target Masterpiece which became the Model 14 when S&W began assigning model numbers ~1957.
A 4" barrel would make it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece which became the model 15.

Thank you Laytonj1. It's a 6" barrel, but it has no screw in front of the trigger guard which I thought made it a 3 screw and thus a later model. The "K" is a suffix and is why I am confused.
pdbertb is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 10:53 PM   #4216
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
The "K" is a suffix and is why I am confused.
Huh? You did get the SN from the underside of the grip frame, right.
And it is a S&W revolver, right. As in it's stamped Smith & Wesson on the side of the barrel and not just the caliber?
S&W never used the "K" as a suffix.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 11:12 PM   #4217
pdbertb
Member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2011
Location: The Low Desert of CA
Posts: 50
Yes, when I first saw the gun it had the # on a tag. After I went home to research it I couldn't find anything about a K suffix. I went back today and removed the grips to see the serial # 1854XX K and it has no other serial #'s on the crane, yoke or cylinder. Am I correct that if it has no screw in front of the trigger guard it is a 3 screw? I have it on hold and will go back Monday to take a picture if that helps.
pdbertb is offline  
Old May 21, 2011, 11:17 PM   #4218
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
A 1953 S&W will have 5 screws. See pic below.
And yes, no trigger guard screw means a 3 screw and dates it to when model numbers were stamped.
Pictures would help allot.

Jim

Last edited by laytonj1; May 21, 2011 at 11:26 PM.
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 22, 2011, 11:51 PM   #4219
MaJo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 2
DOB of S&W 686-4 SerNo: BSZ7xxx?

DOB of S&W 686-4 SerNo: BSZ7xxx?
Thanks for your help!
MaJo is offline  
Old May 23, 2011, 01:53 PM   #4220
pdbertb
Member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2011
Location: The Low Desert of CA
Posts: 50
Mystery gun pix

Here are the pictures. Hope you can identify it Jim.

Last edited by Glenn E. Meyer; November 30, 2013 at 11:47 AM.
pdbertb is offline  
Old May 23, 2011, 01:55 PM   #4221
pdbertb
Member
 
Join Date: May 21, 2011
Location: The Low Desert of CA
Posts: 50
More pix

Here are a few more.

Attachment 70562


Attachment 70564

Last edited by Glenn E. Meyer; November 30, 2013 at 11:47 AM.
pdbertb is offline  
Old May 23, 2011, 03:05 PM   #4222
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
pdbertd,

Well, the good news is it's definitely a model 14.
The bad news: the original serial number has been ground off and a new one stamped on it. And it does not follow S&W's serial number sequence so it was not done by them.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 23, 2011, 03:20 PM   #4223
MaJo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 2
Help with DOB of S&W 686-4, Serial No: BSZ7xxx

Hello,
I'm new here and not sure of the protocol, but I'm lookin for help in finding the DOB of a S&W 686-4 6" with a Serial No: BXZ7xxx.
Thanks much for your help.
MaJo
MaJo is offline  
Old May 23, 2011, 04:27 PM   #4224
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
S&W 686-4 6" with a Serial No: BXZ7xxx.
DOB of S&W 686-4 SerNo: BSZ7xxx
Either SN would fall in the late 1994 thru 1995 range.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old May 23, 2011, 09:53 PM   #4225
cmeptb
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 1
I have what appears to be a model 10, 38 special, serial # 5906**. Any idea what year it was made?

Last edited by Glenn E. Meyer; November 30, 2013 at 11:47 AM.
cmeptb 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 02:15 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 0.56344 seconds with 9 queries