You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Smith and Wesson serial number search
- Thread starter Driveout02
- Start date
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change. Serial number puts it early 1940's.year of manufacture for a S&W .38 serial number 867XXX
No letter prefixes, it is 6 shot, and it says special ctg
Jim
What are the 4 changes?
SCSW describes them as (unspecified) internal modifications, with some external modifications that barely rise to the level of what would be "dash" variations today. For example, slight reshaping of the cylinder stop cut, adding the two little pins to the star extractor mechanism, moving the logo, etc.
DavidLaney
Inactive
Hey everybody, I came across this thread when doing a Google search for my dads gun, so I'd figure I might as well sign up and ask this question. My dad has had this gun for about 50 years now, but we both are not sure about the age and what it actually is (he got it when when he was 16, so there's no box or documentation around here).
It's a 6 round S&W .38 Special model 14-2, with SN being K660XXX, it's also a CTG with a 4in barrel.
It's a 6 round S&W .38 Special model 14-2, with SN being K660XXX, it's also a CTG with a 4in barrel.
DavidLaney -
Your Model 14 dates from 1966, and was known as the K-38 Target Masterpiece prior to the model numbering system that S&W started in 1957. It's the premier .38 Special target revolver and one of those guns that just about every S&W aficionado either has or wants. I have two of them, and they're the first revolvers that my wife and I take out of the safe when we're headed to the range. The "CTG" on the barrel is simply an abbreviation for "cartridge," as in ".38 Special Cartridge."
The 4" barrel is interesting. The vast majority of M14s came with 6" barrels, with some 8-3/8" made toward the end of the production run (M14s were discontinued in 1999). There was a very limited run of 4" barrels made in 1965, with the reported SN range of K623337 to K624496. It's possible that the SN range isn't quite correct, because the book does use the word "reported," and yours could be one of those (possible, but I think unlikely). It's also possible that your gun was a special order, or was fitted later with the 4" barrel, or had the original 6" barrel cut. If the latter, the engraving on the barrel should clearly appear uncentered (i.e. would be too close to the muzzle). The shape of the front sight (Patridge vs. ramped) would also be good to know. If you could post a picture that would be great.
Regardless, you've got a really nice revolver there - with the 4" barrel it's actually a bit more like a Model 15, which was essentially the same gun fitted with a 4" barrel and ramped instead of target (Patridge) sight configuration. It was called the K-38 Combat Masterpiece.
Your Model 14 dates from 1966, and was known as the K-38 Target Masterpiece prior to the model numbering system that S&W started in 1957. It's the premier .38 Special target revolver and one of those guns that just about every S&W aficionado either has or wants. I have two of them, and they're the first revolvers that my wife and I take out of the safe when we're headed to the range. The "CTG" on the barrel is simply an abbreviation for "cartridge," as in ".38 Special Cartridge."
The 4" barrel is interesting. The vast majority of M14s came with 6" barrels, with some 8-3/8" made toward the end of the production run (M14s were discontinued in 1999). There was a very limited run of 4" barrels made in 1965, with the reported SN range of K623337 to K624496. It's possible that the SN range isn't quite correct, because the book does use the word "reported," and yours could be one of those (possible, but I think unlikely). It's also possible that your gun was a special order, or was fitted later with the 4" barrel, or had the original 6" barrel cut. If the latter, the engraving on the barrel should clearly appear uncentered (i.e. would be too close to the muzzle). The shape of the front sight (Patridge vs. ramped) would also be good to know. If you could post a picture that would be great.
Regardless, you've got a really nice revolver there - with the 4" barrel it's actually a bit more like a Model 15, which was essentially the same gun fitted with a 4" barrel and ramped instead of target (Patridge) sight configuration. It was called the K-38 Combat Masterpiece.
DavidLaney
Inactive
FlyFish,
Thanks for the reply and thanks a ton for the info. One of the things about the revolver is that dad got it brand new back in 1960. Here's the pics of the revolver, the engraving on the barrel is pretty well centered.
Thanks for the reply and thanks a ton for the info. One of the things about the revolver is that dad got it brand new back in 1960. Here's the pics of the revolver, the engraving on the barrel is pretty well centered.
Last edited by a moderator:
David - That SN is too high for your Dad to have acquired the gun in 1960 - the production that year ended with K429894. Based on the photo, I agree that the position of the caliber marking on the right side of the barrel eliminates the possibility that the barrel was shortened. Also, the front sight is the ramped sight, as was used on the Model 15 (and lots of other models). So, that leaves us with all the other possibilities, plus an additional one that I should have mentioned before - the gun could be a Model 15 that was mis-marked, which has been known to happen.
I'd recommend calling S&W to see what they might be able to tell you about it, and (based on that) maybe even springing for the $50 factory letter that should nail it down for you.
I'd recommend calling S&W to see what they might be able to tell you about it, and (based on that) maybe even springing for the $50 factory letter that should nail it down for you.
DavidLaney
Inactive
Fly,
Thanks for all the info you been shelling out to me here about this, cause frankly I'm nowhere near a gun expert. About calling S&W and springing the $50 for the factory letter, I kinda planed on doing that anyway, but I figured mise well find as many things about this series of revolver before I shell that $50 out for the letter. Once again thanks a ton for all the info you've put out.
Thanks for all the info you been shelling out to me here about this, cause frankly I'm nowhere near a gun expert. About calling S&W and springing the $50 for the factory letter, I kinda planed on doing that anyway, but I figured mise well find as many things about this series of revolver before I shell that $50 out for the letter. Once again thanks a ton for all the info you've put out.
I'm another clueless-about-guns guy, sent here by Google, whose father left him a Smith and Wesson. This is a .357 Magnum. I find no model number; the number on the bottom of the grip is S 100XXX.
This might be fairly old. Would this still be usable or have any value (physically it seems to be in good shape)?
Thanks for any info anyone can give me.
This might be fairly old. Would this still be usable or have any value (physically it seems to be in good shape)?
Thanks for any info anyone can give me.
onebadscrambler
New member
S100xxx puts it at 1953-54
I believe you have a pre model 27.
I believe it would still be usable, but you may want a competent gunsmith to confirm this.
As for value, in pretty good condition anywhere from $375-500.
flyfish and layton, please correct me if I have made any mistakes.
Danny
I believe you have a pre model 27.
I believe it would still be usable, but you may want a competent gunsmith to confirm this.
As for value, in pretty good condition anywhere from $375-500.
flyfish and layton, please correct me if I have made any mistakes.
Danny
onebadscrambler
New member
vikz
serial #cfm00xx ,model 60.
Appears between Aug and Dec 2002 Model 60-17
serial #cfm00xx ,model 60.
Appears between Aug and Dec 2002 Model 60-17
The only thing I would add is the value. Currently, an early 5 screw 357 (pre 27) can range from ~$500 in well used condition to well north of $1k in minty condition.S100xxx puts it at 1953-54
I believe you have a pre model 27.
I believe it would still be usable, but you may want a competent gunsmith to confirm this.
As for value, in pretty good condition anywhere from $375-500.
Jim
Quote:
S100xxx puts it at 1953-54
I believe you have a pre model 27.
I believe it would still be usable, but you may want a competent gunsmith to confirm this.
As for value, in pretty good condition anywhere from $375-500.
The only thing I would add is the value. Currently, an early 5 screw 357 (pre 27) can range from ~$500 in well used condition to well north of $1k in minty condition.
S100xxx puts it at 1953-54
I believe you have a pre model 27.
I believe it would still be usable, but you may want a competent gunsmith to confirm this.
As for value, in pretty good condition anywhere from $375-500.
The only thing I would add is the value. Currently, an early 5 screw 357 (pre 27) can range from ~$500 in well used condition to well north of $1k in minty condition.
Thanks much for this info.