Smith and Wesson serial number search

I have recently been handed down this vintage 38 special revolver.
Not in great condition but still pretty neat.

6 inch barrel
Round handle
Numbers all match 1448xx

I'm curious as to the age of it.
 
Yes sir,
It was late and I needed to resize the photo this AM.

Early hand ejector
Nickle finish?
Barrel, butt and cylinder all stamped with 1448xx

Thanks y'all
 

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It was late and I needed to resize the photo this AM.
Click to expand...

I understand that feeling.

The serial dates your S&W .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 to 1906-1909.

If you push the extractor star outwards, do you notice two dowel pins underneath on the cylinder surface?
 
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Wow! How cool! this revolver is over 100 years old!
I'm impressed!
I do wish it was in better condition though.
I took it to a gun smith today and he said it appeared to be ok to shoot.

There does not seem to be any dowel pins below the ejector star.
However, I did notice 9 "notches" on the inside handle.
If this gun could talk....
It has been in the family for probably 50 years,
but before that....who knows!
 

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Can someone help me get information about a gun left to me by my grandfather?

It's a S&W 38 special. Serial number 225854. I have tried to upload pics but file size is too big and I'm not aware of how to shrink it. I can email somebody if someone can help.
 
Unusual find from an estate consignment

Jim,

I have an older Airweight Bodyguard J-Frame in .38 Special which has a pinned barrel. I believe it may be a Model 38. The serial number is J883075.

It is nickel-plated, and I'm informed that S&W did this by first plating the aluminum frame with copper, then plating the nickel over the copper.

What can you tell me about when this one was manufactured?

Thanks.
Doc
 
It's a S&W 38 special. Serial number 225854.
Click to expand...
Does it hold 5 or 6 rounds? And can I assume you took the serial number from the underside of the grip frame? And there are no letter prefixes?

Airweight Bodyguard J-Frame in .38 Special which has a pinned barrel. I believe it may be a Model 38. The serial number is J883075.
Click to expand...
J883xxx = 1981.
The model number should be stamped on the frame in the cutout just forward of the cylinder and visible when the cylinder is swung out.
I'm pretty sure from my time over on the S&W forums that S&W does not use a copper undercoat. But...

Jim
 
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Thanks Jim....

laytonj1 said:
"J883xxx = 1981.

The model number should be stamped on the frame in the cutout just forward of the cylinder and visible when the cylinder is swung out.

I'm pretty sure from my time over on the S&W forums that S&W does not use a copper undercoat. But..."
Click to expand...
Thanks Jim,

The markings stamped on the frame forward of the cylinder are "MOD-38" (which was my clue!), however there was no "dash X" or other specification so was not sure - apparently the model designations changed a bit between 1955 and later years.

There are four (4) separate stamp marks on the frame beneath the left grip which are:
  • a large "N";
  • a C24 just above the "N" but in smaller font;
  • an F17; and
  • the number 55787.

Beneath the right grip is the number "4781". I was not sure what all these designations might mean.

In terms of being copper plated before being nickel plated, the guy who described this was an older gunsmith who indicated that nickel doesn't plate well on top of aluminum, so they plated a thin layer of copper to the aluminum first so the nickel plating would adhere properly. Who knows?

If this is a 1981 serial number it's a bit newer than I expected, but still in my ballpark.

I appreciate your time. Thanks again,

Doc
 
There are four (4) separate stamp marks on the frame beneath the left grip which are:
a large "N";
a C24 just above the "N" but in smaller font;
an F17; and
the number 55787.
Click to expand...
The "N" stamps are for Nickel. The others are assembly and inspector stamps.
J frame serial numbers for 1981 ran from J760001 to J915400.
1983 was around the period that S&W stopped pinning the barrels.

Jim
 
Many thanks, again, for this information.

As a fan of older S&W revolvers in excellent condition, I'm glad I found one with the barrel pinned, and I appreciate your historical comments.

Doc
 
It's a S&W 38 special. Serial number 225854.
I'm just needing info on a gun
Click to expand...
If it holds 5 rounds then it's likely a model 36 and SN. 225854 would date it to about 1960/61.
If it holds 6 rounds then it's likely a .38 Military & Police and the sn. 225854 would date it to about 1914/15.

28-2
n5237xx
Click to expand...
The N5xxxxx range ran from 1978 to 1980.

Jim
 
38 Special Airweight

I have inherited a Mod. 37 5 shot 38 special airweight. I am trying to find out some info on. the S/N on the bottom of the handle frame is 535209. It has another # that is on the side of the handle frame that matches the # by the cylinder (85323). Any help will be greatly appreciated.
 
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