Dash or no dash?

ZVP

New member
What is the significance of a dash or no dash S&W Model?
My Model 36 is a no dash and it has a tapered bbl.
Is that it? The Barrel type?
Thanks,
ZVP
 
Basic Vs. upgrades

I may not be completely correct but my understanding is that the basic model or first issue, will not have a dash. The Dash and number, will signify a revision in that basic model. As an example, you may have recessed chambers or flush. .... ;)

Be Safe !!!
 
According to the S&W 3rd edition ( standard catalog) reference guide...

Model 36 ( no dash ) started in 1957 ....but within that no-dash period from 1957 thru 1966 there were some changes in the guns. In 1962 there was an internal hammer alteration at serial number 295000 / in 1966 there was a Thumbpiece change ( no details other than that in the book - that I see ).

Model 36-1 starts in 1967 ...and it does show it was to indicate a 3" Heavy Barrel.

and the book goes on for most of a page....thru engineering 36-10 ...in 2006.
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I'd recommend you pick up a copy of the S&W book ...if you're really interested in finding out more about S&W revolvers...there is a lot involved in many of the models ...that might affect what you choose to buy and shoot.

Most of us that collect and shoot S&W revolvers...tend to stay with 5 or 6 models, where we concentrate our knowledge ( for me its in model 18's, 19's, 27's, 28's, 29's (blued and Nickel) ...and 617's, 686's, 66's, and 629's(in stainless) ....and I have about 20 S&W revolvers now....different barrel lengths, etc...and most of them, I shoot quite a bit.
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The differences between a no dash model 36 ...and a dash 1 in the model 36 ....can be very different between a model 27-1 and a 27 no dash....

but that's why the reference book is over 400 pages, lots of data, lots of photos ...and its not just revolvers...its their line of semi-autos too..and performance center guns...etc...
 
To shorten Big Jim's answer - a dash signifies that there was a design change that was significant enough to record it with a different identifier than the original.
 
and for the record, its not that I can remember any of that stuff I wrote on the model 36 ....( I look stuff up in the book all the time..)...

I was looking at the book - as I responded....( I'm too old / and way, not smart enough, to retain much of the detail...)
 
What year of manufacture would SN #ABW7131 be? I would think that the numbers aren't sequential so there must be codes in there?
Thanks
ZVP
 
What year of manufacture would SN #ABW7131 be? I would think that the numbers aren't sequential so there must be codes in there?
Thanks
ZVP
 
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