Smith and Wesson serial number search

FlyFish i can't thank you enough for all the help you offer to the members of The Firing Line. so I'll just say thanks again. my dad had that gun for as long as i can remember. when he passed away. i could not find it. it's taken me over 8 years to figger out were he put it. do you know what the big S stamped on the inside of the crane. each side of the back strap stands for. also there's a 5 digit number stamped in side the crane and on the inside of the back strap on each side. with a23 in the same spots. this handgun has some very odd marking on it to me.
 
Thank you for the kind words, breed. I'm sorry, but I can't help with the "S" stamping - perhaps jlayton1 or carguychris (the real experts) will be along with the answer. As I mentioned in my reply to TwankieMoore, various letters and numbers inside the frame cutout, and elsewhere, are generally "assembly numbers" and have no significance. It's possible, likely even, that the various stampings you describe are only that.

Your question about the "S" however reminded me that I should have mentioned that your gun dates from the period that had a design flaw involving the firing pin and bushing that could (rarely) cause the cylinder to bind under certain circumstances (high pressure loads). Guns that were returned to the factory to have this problem corrected will have an "M" stamped inside the frame cutout. If yours doesn't have the M, I believe you can still return it to S&W and have it modified at no cost (you can call to check). I have a couple 686s and also a couple of 586s (which had the same issue) from that period - as I recall two have been modified and the others not. As they're only range guns for me I don't care that much, but if I carried them I'd be sure to have the modification done.
 
Who can lend a hand?

Please let me know the model number and other information (e.g., is it “J” frame, how old is it…)

I’ve tried to follow your information outline, and I’ve attached two photos. This is not exactly what I want to buy (it is not a 38 **special**) but when my neighbor offered it to me for $250, I agreed to consider it.

Information

a) .38 caliber
b) bbl length 3.25 inches
c) grip appears to be ‘round’
d) 5 shot cylinder
e) open sights
f) s/n 1078xx
g) model number – please tell me

Mike B
 
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Can anyone tell me when my new (to me) revolver was born?

I just picked up a S&W 64-5 from J&G Sales. The S/N is BDE5XXX.

It's my first Smith & Wesson. Not bad for $230.

Picture188.jpg


Picture189.jpg
 
Mike - You have a .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model, manufactured from 1890 to 1898 (no model number - those didn't come along until 1957 or so). This general style of gun, with a safety built into the backstrap, is sometimes called a "lemon squeezer." The caliber is .38 S&W (not the same as .38 Special, which you know) and ammo is still available, as are reloading components - I have a .38 Terrier in that caliber that I reload for. Approximately 73,500 were manufactured. Yours appears to be in very nice condition, and if so, is likely worth a few times what you paid for it.
 
a) .38 caliber
b) bbl length 3.25 inches
c) grip appears to be ‘round’
d) 5 shot cylinder
e) open sights
f) s/n 1078xx
g) model number – please tell me
Click to expand...
.38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model.
Serial numbers ran from 42484 in 1890 to 116002 in 1898.
Caliber is 38 S&W, not to be confused with 38 Special.

Jim

Edit: looks like FlyFish beat me to the draw.:)
 
Thanks for the info guys. I hear it came from the New York City Police Dept.
Man, I'll bet it could tell some stories over it's 21 yr lifetime!
 
My thanks to Flyfish and Laytonj1

I am Mike B.
I posted message 3008
My thanks for the SPEEDY replies of Flyfish and Laytonj1 (3010, 3011)

I learned what a "lemon squeezer is."

Thank you for your information. I haven't bought the gun yet. I won't until I tell my neighbor about the value that this gun may have. He's a good guy.

Again, thank you.

Mike B
 
Thanks again!

FLYFISH: thanks for the info. Hard to
believe it's worth so little. I've always
treated it like a treasured antique of course

If that's it, then I'll keep it for now. I just
sold some home entrtainment stuff
for more lol.

Thanks for asking. I have yet to get the
"official" result report, but was told she
was encouraged by what she saw. You
know how that goes... If they let me come
home and all must not be any worse lol.

Funny thing, my grandpa's fave thing to
do was fly fishing. I can remember wearing hip
waders almost taller than me (they were underarm waders lol)
and totally
lacking the patience :-)
for it. Fishing, hunting, camping, driving...
All great memories!

I've got his old Iver Johnson .22 8 shot
revolver. Need to look and see what markings
it has. Thanks again. You know your stuff!
 
9516XX, any ideas on the age of this pistol? The consensus among poorly educated guessers is '48-'54. Is this in the ballpark?
Click to expand...
To give an "accurate guess" I need more info.
Is this a 6 shot? Does it have a modern swing out cylinder? Is the caliber 38 S&W or 38 Special? Is there a "S" or "C" prefix in front of the serial number (there may be an inch or so space after the prefix)?

Jim
 
S&W .38 (2" barrel)

there is an "s" before the 9516XX

6 shot, obviously after-market bone grip, standard (modern) cylinder

The barrel reads, "38 S&W.SPC.CTG"

I apologize for the quality of the photos, but I hope they help.

Thanks.
 
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