Smith and Wesson serial number search

Thanks Layton.

What would these be worth? The 19 is in good shape other than some blue wear on the muzzle and cylinder and the 60 is 90%, but doesn't have the original grips.
 
How about the date on a Model 17 no dash, SN: K4014xx?
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Interesting. From the S/N, the date according to SCSW would definitely be 1960, and not all that early in the year, which started with K386805 and ended with K429895. But the 17-1 was introduced in 1959. The difference between the 17 and the 17-1 was the change from a right hand to left hand thread on the extractor rod. Do you know which yours is?
 
Hey flyfish,

I'm not sure if it's right or left hand thread and I'm hesitant to put torque on the rod to find out. The gun is tight and works properly so I think I'll call it 1960. The only other clue I can provide is there is a letter "H" on the frame just above the serial number where the ejector rod rests if that helps. Below the serial number it clearly says MOD-17 with nothing following.
 
Blackjack: I can certainly understand that you don't want to go messing around disassembling your revolver to check on the threads, but that may not be necessary. The newer left-hand thread rods have a slightly different shape from the older right-hand ones. The difference is that the right-hand rods don't change in diameter between the knurled end and the main part of the shaft, but the left-hand ones have a narrowed area between the two parts. I believe that's not an absolute rule, but that it does apply in most cases. These two photos show the difference:

Here's the right-hand threaded rod on a Model 17:
righthandejectorrod.jpg


And this one's the left-hand threaded rod on a 17-3:
lefthandejectorrod.jpg


My guess (and its only that), is that the 1960 production date based on the S/N is correct, and if you have a left-hand threaded ejector it may be a 17-1 mis-marked as a 17. It wouldn't be the first time the wrong model number has been stamped. The alternative, I guess, is that they made up a 17 from parts in stock during what would have otherwise been the period when they were producing 17-1s. There are some folks here that know tons more about this than I do, so perhaps they can offer an opinion.

BTW, nice gun regardless of whatever the real story might be.
 
stigp6: 1945 to 1948, with the S/N range being from S811120 to S999999 - so toward the middle part of that time period is more likely, but it's not possible to be sure.

Good photo of a right-hand threaded ejector rod, by the way.
 
Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, but I have been active on other (canadian) firearm forums for years now. I have been collecting/accumulating firearms for some time now, both handguns and rifles (mostly WW2 relics).

Recently, I have developed a taste for the truly antique side of collecting and have bought my first antique revolver (French 1892 Service Revolver). Despite being over 100 years old, I really enjoyed that gun... so recently, when opportunity came, I bought my first antique S&W, but know nothing about it and need your help.

My gun is a S&W DA First Model, has a 4" barrel and a longer cylinder that can accept .44 special ammo as well as the regular .44 Russian. Despite being old, it has a modern looking S&W logo on the right side (the logo also says "Trade Mark") and "44 S&W CTG" on the left side of the barrel.

Serial number on the grip is 475XX (5 digit serial, no letters). I would be very appreciative is someone could tell me a little about this gun; with it's short barrel and longer cylinder, it looks like it was built specifically for self-defense in the old days, I would say. Thanks in advance!

PC230012.jpg
 
Serial number on the grip is 475XX (5 digit serial, no letters). I would be very appreciative is someone could tell me a little about this gun; with it's short barrel and longer cylinder, it looks like it was built specifically for self-defense in the old days, I would say. Thanks in advance!
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Caliber .44 S&W Russian, barrel lengths offered in 4", 5", 6" or 6.5". Blue or nickle finish. Target or service sights. Red or black hard rubber stocks. Serial number range was from 1 in 1881 to 53590 in 1913. Earlier production had 1-7/16" cylinder and starting at SN 15340 a 1-9/16 cylinder.

Serial number 352 is attributed to John Wesley Hardin.

Although production runs to 1913, all frames were manufactured prior to 1899.

Jim
 
Perfect, thank you very much for the info, Jim. I figured that the gun must be newer production at the very least, because it looks somewhat more modern than the rest of them. Maybe it's just the shorter barrel that gives it that appearance. I guess that the high serial number would mean that my piece was released towards the very end of the production. I guess that would somewhat explain the nice condition it is in, inside and out.

By the way, are there any modern aftermarket parts (mainly barrels and cylinders) available for these? I know that Navy Arms / Uberti make a copy of the "Third Model" with a barrel/cylinder that look the same. Would these parts fit? I was told that they wouldn't, but I'm looking for a second opinion (after all, if it is a perfect copy of the S&W, then it should be an exact fit).
 
fortkevin2: 1979, which would make it a 10-7 if it has the tapered barrel, 10-8 if the heavy barrel. The full model number should be stamped on the part of the frame that's exposed when you swing the cylinder out. It should also have a pinned barrel.
 
Thanks FlyFish.

Can you estimate what year this model came out based from pics below by looking at the markings? I don't have the unit and I'm still asking the seller for the SN details.

DSC05603.jpg

DSC05602.jpg


thanks
 
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K38

Just picked up a K38 in very nice condition. Wondering if I could get a date on it and find out how to tell if it's a combat or target masterpiece.

There's no model number on the front of the frame, just a five digit number that matches the one on the crane.
Serial number is K399XX.
6" barrel with a grooved top.
Adjustable sights.
Serrated trigger.

Thanks in advance!
 
stigp6: The lack of an upper sideplate screw (next to the rear sight) immediately identifies the gun as newer than 1955. The lack of an S&W logo on the sideplate means it has to be newer than 1981, and the unpinned barrel (a bit difficult to see in your photos, but I think there's no pin) means it's newer than 1982. The square butt (which this appears to be) and the tapered barrel were dropped in 1995-96, so the gun appears to be between 1982 and 1995/96. That's the best I can do for you from the photos.
 
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