Smith and Wesson serial number search

686 dash nothing?

Bought from a pawn broker for $475, an 80% gun in my uneducated opinion. It was too much like exactly what I wanted!

AAD56xxx

Looks like '80 or '81?
 
model 642 crw62xx
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The SCSW only covers up to 2004. Your SN is either late or post 2004.
You can call S&W's customer service and they will give you the DOB over the phone for free.

1-800-331-0852 (USA)
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time

Jim
 
chiefs special airweight

Picked a nice little shooter up - I think it is a pre model 37 chiefs special airweight. 3 inch barrel, has a lot carry rub off the frame, and a little freckling on the cylinder. But she locks-up tighter than a drum :). Anyway, serial 17xxx. Any idea how old she is??
 
hey all, new guy here. bought my smith a few years ago, but was never able to find any info on it. i think its a model 10 but not sure. its a .38 spl. anyway the model number is

CCW3xxx i'm curious what age it is.

at least i'm pretty sure thats it. i love revolvers, but i'm clueless as to their markings and numbers.

thanks.
 
Re: early Chiefs Airweight

Picked a nice little shooter up - I think it is a pre model 37 chiefs special airweight. 3 inch barrel, has a lot carry rub off the frame, and a little freckling on the cylinder. But she locks-up tighter than a drum . Anyway, serial 17xxx. Any idea how old she is??
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Laytonj1 has already given the date on this one. It is worth noting that it may have an alloy cylinder as well as an alloy frame. S&W originally made these with alloy cylinder. After many complaints of damage due to high-velocity loads, S&W switched to a steel cylinder on January 13, 1954.

Roy Jinks says the change occurred at about s/n 35000. SCSW says examples with alloy cylinders have been found as high as s/n 44577. A total of 3,777 were made with the alloy cylinder.

Some of those which were damaged had their cylinders replaced with steel cylinders by the factory. A check with a magnet should quickly show whether yours has the steel or alloy cylinder. If it is alloy, both Jinks and SCSW say not to shoot it. Depending on condition, models with alloy cylinders may bring a premium with collectors.
 
Re: Chiefs air weight

Thanks Jim and Dave!
Year one Airweight, too bad she wasn't in a little better shape. As it is she will have a pampered life being carried once and a while, with a regular trip to the range.
Dave I had checked the cylinder (it is steel) once I heard about the alloy. I would guess she was sent back to the factory for a replacement and a trigger job (like butter it is...).

Again, thanks guys!
 
Dave I had checked the cylinder (it is steel) once I heard about the alloy.
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Good on you, guess you didn't need the advice. When you said there was "freckling" on the cylinder that indicated to me it was likely steel, but I thought it worth mentioning.

The Airweight Chiefs is a nice carry gun. It was a favorite of Bill Jordan, who knew a thing or two about revolvers. Good to know this nearly 60 year old revolver will continue doing the job for which it was made.
 
Need DOB on SW 38

Serial Number 99K6xxx
Model 15-4

Nice nickel plated .38 CTG
Did I do it right?

Thanks,
Vato
 
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Code: 
mod 638 snubbie

421xxx

That J-frame s/n dates to 1965-'66, however the model 638 was introduced in 1989, so something doesn't add up.


Serial Number 99K6xxx
Model 15-4

Nice nickel plated .38 CTG
Did I do it right?

Thanks,
Vato
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1981. You did it right.
 
That J-frame s/n dates to 1965-'66, however the model 638 was introduced in 1989, so something doesn't add up.
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Thank you, sir! It's a mod 38 not 638...i read too much digital text and not enough tangible text. Got em' mixed up. Thanks Again!
 
Airweight .38 SPL S&W

I just got this gun from a buddy of mine. His great aunt carried it in her purse for years. I have no idea what year this gun was made or a current value. Any help would be appreciated.I believe it say MOD-37 once I drop the cylinder out and the serial number on the butt is 412367.

What I am really concerned about is whether or not I can shoot modern ammunition through it or not.

CS
 
serial number on the butt is 412367
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Around 1965.
SN's ran from 295000 in 1962 to 786544 in 1969.
About $350 to $400 depending on condition.
Modern ammo is just fine.

Model 65-2 SN#1D60xxx
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Serial numbers ran from 1D45001 in 1979 to 1D99999 in 1980.

.38 airweight s/n cnl 7xxx 637-2
.38 special s/n ccp 2xxx 64-5
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CCP = 1998.
CNL = post 2004. Book only covers up to 2004.
You can call S&W's customer service and they will give you the DOB over the phone for free.

1-800-331-0852 (USA)
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time

Jim
 
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