Smith and Wesson serial number search

Hi all! Just got my very first handgun yesterday at 26 (never too late to start I guess), a pre-Model 10 M&P .38 SPL. I am really confused as to the dating of the gun. The bottom of the butt has a 5-digit number starting with 5 and the inside of the frame next to the cylinder has the number "C 99xx." the gun has the 50's ramp sight and a 4" barrel. I can't decipher the numbers on the bottom of the barrel from wear I guess.

Help dating would be greatly appreciated!

Pics:

SANY3417.jpg

SANY3422.jpg
 
S&W .32 Long CTG

I have had this beautiful little handgun for several years now and am getting more and more interested in the "whole handgun thing," so I am trying to find out how old this is and maybe who it's past owners were. The gun is very clean and hardly used. On the inside steel of the grip it displays only numbers as follows:3515xx. On the right side of the 3-1/4" barrel it displays: .32 Long CTG. On the left side it has the words Smith & Wesson. On the top it shows the patent info as follows: Pat. Feb. 8. 08. Sept 14. 09. Dec. 29. 14. The wooden grips are in excellent condition, but do not have any medallions on them, but it does have the original screw in it with the threaded companion on the other side. I could not see any markings under the grips. The butt is somewhat "squared off" with the S&W crest on the left side only. There are 4 screws on the right side opposite the S&W crest. The top is smooth (verses Serrated) with a notched rear sight looking down to a half moon fixed front sight. On the stationary part where the cylinder swings down the numbers 78651 appear. The only sign of wear is at the tip of the barrel where there is a little holster wear and a little pitting where the finger rested when not on the trigger pull. Thank you, for your time in this matter. I know there are a lot of very knowledgeable people who are kind enough to help, so I hope I can, at least, find out how old it is. Thank you again. God bless America!
 
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a pre-Model 10 M&P .38 SPL.
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Take the serial number from the bottom of the grip butt.
It should have a "C" or "D" prefix followed by some numbers.

On the inside steel of the grip it displays only numbers as follows:3515xx
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It's a .32 Regulation Police (pre-war).
Serial numbers ran from 260000 in 1917 to 536000 in 1942.
The book does not narrow it down any further other than heat treating started at SN 321000 in 1920, so yours is likely mid 20's.

Jim
 
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laytonj1, no prefix??? 504xx is all it says on the butt!
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Well, then something don't add up.
It's a 6 shot .38 so SN 504xx would be 1902/3, which that gun ain't from.
It has a short action hammer which dates to after WWII and it does not have a 4 screw sideplate which dates to after 1955. The grips are post 1967.

Howabout a picture of the bottom of the grip butt.

Jim
 
S&W Model 10-6 Serial Number

Hi all! I purchased my first handgun last week from a friend and was wondering if anyone could tell me more about it. I would really like to get an idea of a year on it. It is a S&W Model 10-6 .38 Special. It has a 4" heavy barrell and I already know that it has the S&W .357 grips on it rather than the .38. The serial number beside the cylinder is 342517X. It is stamped with Smith & Wesson also twice on the other side. Can anyone help me out? It is a wonderful little gun! Thanks :)
 
It is a S&W Model 10-6 .38 Special. It has a 4" heavy barrell and I already know that it has the S&W .357 grips on it rather than the .38. The serial number beside the cylinder is 342517X.
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That's not the serial number. Take the the serial number from the underside of the grip butt. If you have target grips on it you'll have to remove them to see it. It will have either a "C" or "D" prefix followed by up to 6 numbers.

Jim
 
Model 10-6 Smith & Wesson

Ok. What is the number beside the cylinder? I just took the grips off to look. it is D195025. Does this help anymore? It has the same number as is on the cylinder on the butt also above the serial number.
 
S&W Pre Model 10

a) caliber - 38 Special
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle) - 2 "
c) grips shape (round or square) - square
d) number of shots/cylinder bores - 6 shot.
e) type of sights. - Fixed half-moon front
f) serial number -C907xx
g) Model number - none
 
the numbers on the butt are 6984-4
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The problem is that's not a valid SN. It appears from the pic that part or all of the original SN was polished off and some digits were restamped.
It is an older gun as the hammer and single line address (made in usa) ended right after WWII.
There might (if not also polished off) be serial numbers also stamped on the underside of the barrel near the frame and on the backside of the cylinder.

f) serial number -C907xx
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Serial numbers ran from C1 in 1948 to C223998 in 1951.

Jim
 
the numbers on the butt are 6984-4

"The problem is that's not a valid SN. It appears from the pic that part or all of the original SN was polished off and some digits were restamped.
It is an older gun as the hammer and single line address (made in usa) ended right after WWII.
There might (if not also polished off) be serial numbers also stamped on the underside of the barrel near the frame and on the backside of the cylinder."


The number under the barrel is either 698434 or G98434. Thank you so much for your help.
 
I just bought a 38 s&w special I was trying to find out what year it was made. Its a model 10-9 serial # BRJ1***

Is it safe to shot +P ammo?
 
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I just inherited a near perfect condition Model 19-5...serial ->

AFD80xx

Could you let me know the manufacturer date? Where would be the best place to learn its value? gunbroker or somewhere else?
 
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AFD80xx
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1984.
Define near perfect...
Just an estimate... In minty condition (no wear), $450. Add $50 if 2.5" barrel, another $50 if you have the original box, docs and tools.
Then, depending on location, luck and if someone wants it bad enough +/- another $50.

Jim
 
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