Smith and Wesson serial number search

model 65-1

Hi again. i had posted about a month ago asking what my 65-1 ( 1D343xx ) was. Thanks Flyfish for the info . i was also wondering if anyone had an idea what it was worth? its a 4 inch barrel, stainless, pinned barrel, recessed cylinder, 327 mag. also, what do you polish it with? i dont want to scratch it all up. its stainless and not nickle right?
 
NaplesSwampRat: I'd say around $400 to $450, depending on condition and where in the country you're located. It is indeed stainless and I'm not the right person to advise on caring for stainless, but I'm pretty sure you want to stay away from metal polish such as Flitz and Mothers Mag Polish that have mild abrasive, unless you want to spend a lot of time and elbow grease to change the appearance to a bright polished look, which some folks do and it can be very nice.

Ignacio49: Your M36 was produced in 1981.
 
Hey everyone! I am new to the world of smith and wesson revolvers and was wondering if anyone knew anything about the one I was given today. Specs are as follows.

Smith and Wesson .38 special CTG (on the barrel)
Blued frame, wood grips
adjustable sites
Serial Number- K 199XXX

Thanks a lot for any information you can give me!
 
seefers23: Your revolver was produced in 1953. There were a number of different models that shared the same series of serial numbers, but only two of them were blued and chambered for the .38 Special cartridge: the K-38 Target Masterpiece (which later became the Model 14) and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece (which became the Model 15). Because your gun was made prior to 1957, those model numbers will not appear anywhere.

Both models had adjustable rear sights. Generally, the pre-14s had a 6" barrel and the pre-15s had a 4" barrel, but other lengths were available and there was some overlap between the two models, so a better way to distinguish them would be via the front sight. The pre-14 had a so-called "Patridge" sight, which has somewhat undercut, nearly straight back edge to provide a clearer sight picture for target work. The pre-15 had the ramped front sight to avoid snagging when drawn from a holster.

Whichever one you have, in that vintage (any vintage, really) it's a very nice gun. If you get a chance, please post and let us know which model it is, and also the barrel length, which is measured from the front of the cylinder (not the front of the frame) in revolvers.
 
Hey! thanks so much for that information. I had no idea that this was that old, wow. It is in very very good condition and I am really. Here is a picture I took last night, maybe you can tell by the front sight what model this is. It is in another location in a lock box right now, so I will have to take a closer look when I get it today.

Also, if I wanted to fire this gun, is there anything about cleaning it I should know? I have normal hopps cleaning solution, but with these older guns I am not sure what to use. Thanks!

photo.jpg
 
That would be the Combat Masterpiece - 4" barrel and Baughman Quick Draw front sight. It's a little difficult to tell from the photo, but it does look to be in very nice shape. Nothing special necessary in the way of cleaning - Hoppe's will do the job for you. Nice.
 
well thanks a lot for your knowledge, I am glad to find someone that knows so much! I will take more detailed pictures with an actual camera soon and upload them. Also, would you know the value on a gun like this? I have looked at all the online gun auction sites and have not found much at all.
 
Around here (Massachusetts) I'd expect to see that gun with a price tag in the mid to upper $500s. That will vary some depending on where you are and the condition - as I said, it does look to be in great shape but it's difficult to tell from the photo.
 
awesome, very neat. I am from Indiana, but I have never really come across vintage revolvers at the gun shop, haha. Thanks again for the help!
 
Uh, I can't find my numbers in the book?

Hello again folks, and thank you Jim for your help:

> "ThomasH,
>
> The serial number is the one stamped on the bottom of the grip butt.
> The other numbers are assembly numbers.
>
> AWT4873 = 1987.
> 4J2818 = 1971/72.
>
> Jim
>

I received my copy of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson today, and I cannot find my serial numbers anywhere in it.

I have checked the middle section of the numbered models and read the sections on the Model 38 and Model 49, but I don't see any information about my serials numbers and what they might mean there.

I have also poured over the section in the rear that attempts to date the guns by their serial numbers but I see no examples of serial numbers like mine for either pistol!?! I see "J prefix" numbers but none like the 4J2818 serial number. And I haven't found a single reference to an AWT serial number like my AWT4873!?!

Am I doing something wrong? Is there something about these numbers or the book that I don 't understand? Where did you find the information about my serial numbers, if I may ask? :confused:

Thoroughly confused, as usual, :rolleyes:

- Thomas
 
ThomasH,

Don't feel bad, I get confused with the tables also.
You have to do some interpolating.
On page 399, under J serial prefixes 1971 to 1972, it shows J1 to 999J99. The J1 is a typo, it should read 1J1.
4J would fall between 1J and 999J, which was also known as the floating J years.

On page 400, AWTXXXX would fall between AVB8654 in July 87 to AWW7874 also in July 87.

S&W started the three letter prefix in 1980 and things got real confusing from there because they make allot of special runs with serial numbers out of sequence. To make matters worse, the semi autos use their own serial sequence which jumps all over the place and is not up to date.

Another issue is when S&W makes a frame they stamp the serial number at that time. However, the frame may not be assembled into a gun and shipped for quite some time.

The serial number of my 629 Classic DX dates it to 1997 and yet I have the test target with it dated May 1996 and the original purchase receipt dated Sept. 1996.

The thing to remember is S&W makes guns first. Serial numbers are something that they have to put on them and unfortunantly, they don't assign them for the convenience of collectors.

The book provides a wealth of knowledge on their guns. The serial number tables are really just guides to get you in the range. They charge $50 to research the actual ship date of a gun, which includes other history as well on it.

Jim
 
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Serial search S&W 29-6

Just bought a beautiful Smith&Wesson Model 29-6 (.44 magnum - 8" barrel).
Does anyone has more information about this handgun (age, …) or has any experience using it ?
Serial nr.: BPG99XX
Thanks
 
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hi ive got an 1982 model 37 can i shoot +p's ?
Click to expand...
If it were a model 36 (steel frame) I would say go for it. The model 37 is an aluminum framed gun. Therefore, IMO, I would limit the amount of +P used in it. Load it with +P for defense and fire a few to check point of impact.

Some folks on the S&W forum have fired 1000's of +P from their 37's with no ill effect but not all +P's are created equal. For example, Buffalo Bore makes a +P that produces low end 357 power levels that I would not fire it in my own 37.

Jim
 
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