Smith and Wesson serial number search

I'm pretty sure I was only about 5 when he got this; a salesman came to our house and my dad let me hold it. I distinctly recall, at about 5 years of age, that the gun (less than a pound!) was too heavy for me to hold at arm's length! That dates it at late 1950 to 1951.
Click to expand...
Just to add some additional information:
If in fact it's a 4 screw (see pic) then it's production would fall between 1953 and 1955, as Sevens suggested. Screw #4 was eliminated during 1953 and screw #5 was eliminated during 1955.

Jim
 
Last edited:
I have two S&W revolvers, one old, one newer but not new.

The newer is a Model 19-5, .357, 6 round cylinder, nickel, 4-inch barrel, fixed ramp front sight, adjustable rear sight, appears to be square-butt with Pachmayr "Gripper" grips. Serial # is AVD3583


The older is (according to its original box) a S&W 38 Chief Special Airweight, blued finish, 2-inch, square-butt. All of that info is on the box. It's a .38 Special j-frame with a 5-shot cylinder and mother of pearl grips. I thought it was a pre-37 airweight, but when I open the cylinder I can see "Mod-37" stamped on the inside of the frame. Serial number on the butt is 176218. There is also a different number on the cylinder crane, 38314, not sure what that signifies.


Can anyone date these two revolvers for me?

Is the snubby safe to shoot with +P? From other things I've read, I doubt it. So far I'm avoiding shooting +P in it, though non +P .38 special self-defense ammo seems a little hard to find.
 
Serial # is AVD3583
Click to expand...
1987.

Serial number on the butt is 176218
Click to expand...
Serial numbers ran from 125000 in 1957 to 295000 in 1962.
The other numbers are assembly/inspector numbers.
+P for a defense load will not blow it up. Regular use of +P is not recommended and might wear it out faster do to the aluminum frame.
Personally, I use Buffalo Bore 158gr lead standard pressure loading for defense use in a model 37.

Jim
 
Last edited:
Can any one date and give a round a bout value of a model 14-2 serial number k689 with 4 inch barrel. In good/excellent condition.
 
Date on S&W mod 37 ser#J901xxx
Nevermind, I found it by looking back though the thread.
1981 If I am correct.
 
Last edited:
model 14-2 serial number k689
Click to expand...
I assume that's K689XXX, which would make it 1966. SN's ran from K658987 to K715996 that year. Without knowing condition... $400 to $600.

Date on S&W mod 37 ser#J901xxx
Nevermind, I found it by looking back though the thread.
1981 If I am correct.
Click to expand...
You are.

Two J frame round butts:

76852

139230

J frame square butt
459371
Click to expand...

76852 = 1955/56
139230 = ~1958. SN's ran from 125000 in 1957 to 295000 in 1962.
459371 = ~1964/65. SN's ran from 295000 in 1962 to 786544 in 1969.

It's Model 10-6 s/n D33435XX
Click to expand...

Very nice, almost looks new.
One X to many. SN's ran from D330001 in 1971 to D420000 in 1972.

Jim
 
Old snub nose S&W age????

Could anyone help me with an approximate date of a snub nose S&W 6 shot revolver that appears to be a 32 cal.? I say appears to be a 32 because I have an old H&R 32 revolver that is actually marked "32". I have looked all over the S&W and find nothing about the caliber or model. The cylinder is marked with logo and patent dates. Oldest date is July 1.89. with latest date being July 16.95. There is a number on the butt of the handle that I assume to be the serial number but only has 5 digits. The number is 114** I assume it to be old because of the low number. It has 5 screws on the right side 2 of witch are side by side and appear to hold the swing arm of the cylinder in place. The cylinder rotation lock is weird as it moves the rear sight slightly up when it revolves as part of the action. This was given to my father (who is 88) by his father (who was born in 1905) and recently handed down to me. Not sure if I want to spend the $50 and go to S&W but would love to know more about it. Thanks for the help.
 
cj21072,

S&W reused the same serial numbers across the model lines during the earlier years. To determine the date I first have to determine the model as there were several 32 cal models offered back then. Unless it's completely worn off, the barrel should have the caliber stamped on the side of it.
This is clearly one of those cases where a picture would be worth a thousand words.

Jim
 
cj21072,

I've never seen a model look anything like it.
I posted your pictures over on the S&W forum to get a few more opinions.

Jim


Edit: Answer from S&W forum:
Yes, it is a well worn Model 1896 HE. This gun was very significant for Smith & Wesson, since it was the very first hand ejector revolver made by the company. It was also the first S&W chambered in 32 Long. There were not many manufactured before the company changed over to the Model 1903, with 19,712 total made from 1896 to 1903. High condition examples are going for nice money, but worn examples are still stuck below $300.
 
Last edited:
S & W Forum Response

Awesome! Thank you for the help. Not sure how the pistol came to have such pitting and wear. Action and cylinder work great. Just an ugly worn finish.
Thanks again!
 
S&W 32 HE

Just saw a S&W 32 HE on the S&W Forum that appeared to be in excellent condition. I did notice though that the caliber was not clearly stamped on the barrel. Was that normal or was it stamped somewhere else?
 
I did notice though that the caliber was not clearly stamped on the barrel. Was that normal or was it stamped somewhere else?
Click to expand...
According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, most examples had no barrel markings at all. So, the answer would be yes, it's normal.

Jim
 
If it is indeed a FIVE digit SN and you didn't inadvertently forget one X, then I would say 1970 does sound likely. The table says N1 through N60000 were all 1970-1972, so 1970 would seem likely for your revolver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top