How to date a Smith and Wesson revolver?

How to date a Smith and Wesson revolver?

In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958. It’s possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. It at least one case a gun has a 5-screw serial and was built as a 4-screw gun. Pics would help! Click to expand…

When was the first S & W revolver made?

Pre-War N frame. *Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case. In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958.

Do you need help identifying an old revolver?

A lot of us on the forum really enjoy helping folks identify and age firearms. People often come here with an old inherited revolver and would like to know more about it, when it was made, history, etc. Always interesting, sometimes, these threads reveal hidden gems and treasures.

What was the Smith and Wesson K-200 victory revolver called?

During WWII, they used V or SV for the .38 S&W Special and .38 K-200 Victory revolvers. After WWII K, S, C, D, J and N prefixes began. Some later models have the letter mixed in with the numbers.

For the exact date on your gun request the letter from S&W Historian Roy Jinks. Pre-War N frame. *Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case.

What was the first gun made by Smith and Wesson?

The company’s first offering was a lever-action repeating pistol. Moving forward from those beginnings, Smith & Wesson shaped innovations in the manufacturing of modern handguns. As of March 2011, Smith & Wesson offers approximately 110 different pistols of varied designs and features. Examine the barrel of the Smith & Wesson pistol.

What’s the model number of a Smith and Wesson?

The 4500 series is for .45 ACP, 4000 series for .40 S&W, and 1000 series for 10mm. So, looking at the first two digits of a four-digit model number from a 3rd gen pistol, we can know the caliber, and if it’s a 9mm, we might also know the frame size.

When did the Smith and Wesson Magnum come out?

In 1935 Smith & Wesson introduced the .357 Registered Magnum revolver and with it with recessed cylinders. This was done to protect the rim of the cartridge and was a feature on all Magnum chambered revolvers as well as .22 Long Rifle cylinders. In 1982 this was another feature eliminated by the factory except on the .22 Long Rifle revolvers.

When did Smith and Wesson stop making 3 screw revolvers?

After 1961 that trigger guard screw was done away with and from here after the revolvers were known as 3-screw guns. Recently Smith & Wesson started producing their classic line of revolvers with the topside plate screw like before 1955. Another topic that comes up often is what makes a Smith & Wesson revolver “pinned and recessed”?

Where are the Smith and Wesson guns made?

Location: Springfield, Massachusetts Since 1857 Smith & Wesson has staked its headquarters in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing operations in Holton, Maine and other operations in Columbia, Missouri. Partnership with Horace Smith & Daniel B. Wesson was from 1856–1874. Family owned by the Wesson Family from 1874–1965.

Can a serial number on a s and W be off?

There is some dispute regarding the dates on some serial numbers and your gun may actually be a year off from what is listed. The precise shipping date as “lettered” can be several years off depending on model. For the exact date on your gun request the letter from S&W Historian Roy Jinks. Pre-War N frame.

What’s the serial number on a Smith and wesson.357 Magnum?

For more information, contact Smith-WessonForum.com, where you can download a form to use for the letter. Cost for this service currently is $75, which is money well spent. The serial number range for the pre-war .357 Magnum revolvers started at 45756 and ended with 62489 in 1941 when the U.S. entered World War II.

When did the s and W gun serial number come out?

In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958. It’s possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. It at least one case a gun has a 5-screw serial and was built as a 4-screw gun.

What was the first Smith and Wesson semi automatic?

1st Gen Pistols. The first S&W semi-automatic chambered in a service caliber was the Model 39, which first saw the light of day in 1954. The aluminum alloy-framed 9mm pistol had an 8-shot single-stack magazine, a 4-inch barrel and a traditional double action/single action trigger with a slide-mounted safety/decocker,…

When was the Smith and Wesson Model 36 made?

Your early J frame model 36 Smith and Wesson was made in the year 1955 with the serial number that you have provided. What is the age of a smith and wesson model 36 serial number 75j635? If the serial number is J75635 then your Smith and Wesson model 36,J frame revolver was made between 1979-1980.

When was the last Smith and Wesson pistol made?

Most are probably marked by the end of ’22, early ’23. An some can be in inventory completed w/o the marking but not shipped for a year so, give or take. Same issues on the heat treated cylinders, but generally by the end of 1920 and at the 20,000 serial range they were heat treated.

When did the Smith and Wesson 357 Magnum come out?

So instead of one big comprehensive chart for every Smith & Wesson revolver ever made, I’m offering this smaller bite-sized chunk: every post-1957 .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolver from S&W that officially entered full-scale production. Why 1957?

When did the Smith and Wesson 38 double action come out?

The Fourth Model.38 double-action appeared shortly after April 3, 1889, and did away with the rocker-type cylinder stop, along with the unsightly extra cuts in the periphery of the cylinder. The walls of the trigger were made to cover the rear sear and cylinder stop, as had been done previously in the.32 model.

How many digits are in a Smith and Wesson serial number?

If posting the entire SN bothers you, just XX out the last two or three digits but make sure you give us the total number of digits because SN’s start at 1 and go into 6 figures. Welcome to the forum. Welcome to the forum.

When was the first Smith and Wesson made?

Patent dates are, March 7, 1894, May 21, 1895, August 4,1895, Dec. 22, 1895, October, 1901, and Feb. 06, 1906. Serial # 15563.

When did the Smith and Wesson Model 34 come out?

Your Model 34, Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun, shipped around 1976. It is hard to provide a value estimate without seeing the gun. I recommend starting a new thread with pictures so you get full attention from the forum members.

How many Smith and Wesson handguns are there?

Moving forward from those beginnings, Smith & Wesson shaped innovations in the manufacturing of modern handguns. As of March 2011, Smith & Wesson offers approximately 110 different pistols of varied designs and features.

Where do you find the serial number on a s and W?

Examine the surface of the S&W gun to find the serial number. Depending on what year it was made, the serial number could appear in various places, such as below the barrel on a revolver or on the bottom of the grip.

Where to find serial number on Smith and Wesson CTG 32?

SERIAL # LOCATIONS: To confirm all parts are original, one can check for the 6 matching serial # locations for fixed sight pre war Hand Ejectors and all post war Hand Ejectors thru ~1956 and a few as much as 3 years later.

When was the Smith and Wesson 32 made?

The same holds true for .32 S&W. Around 1909, S&W published a statement that all its BP guns could safely shoot commercial smokeless cartridges. Those are some nice old 38s. I have several 38 and 32s top break, SA, DA and Safety hammerless models, and enjoy shooting them on occasion. The only one I’m missing is a 38 DA but I’m still looking.

When did Smith and Wesson make the Model 15?

In addition to military use, the Model 15 was issued by many police departments across the United States as well as various federal law enforcement agencies. In 1972 S&W produced a stainless steel version of the Model 15 which it termed the Model 67.

A number of production and engineering changes have been made throughout the years, some of which are noted by a dash number suffixed to the Model number (15-1, -2, -3). Over the years the Model 15 has been produced with several barrel lengths, with 4″ (standard) and 2″ (1964–1988) being the most common.

How old is this Smith and Wesson 32 Cal revolver hammered?

How old is this Smith and Wesson 32 cal revolver hammered serial number 77530? , Forty years of firearms experience; student of the gun. Not much information to go on. S&W made many .32 revolvers. Some with a tip-up action, or top break action and others with a swing-out cylinder.

What kind of Guns does Smith and Wesson make?

Founded in the 1800s, the company specialized in revolvers and guns such as the No.3 and Schofield became synonymous with the Old West. Although Smith & Wesson is best known for its handguns,the company now makes guns of all stripes, from revolvers to pistols to their own version of the AR-15 rifle.

How to tell the date of a s and W?

The precise shipping date as “lettered” can be several years off depending on model. For the exact date on your gun request the letter from S&W Historian Roy Jinks. Pre-War N frame.

How to identify a s and W revolver and when was it made?

Many people have questions about how to identify a S&W revolver and when was it made. I borrowed this from a thread on Highroad.org forum. It has a lot of info that might be of interest to many of you. This is where to look for the model number (not used until around 1957). Sometimes the serial number is here, especially in later models.

Who are the owners of Smith and Wesson?

Family owned by the Wesson Family from 1874–1965. Smith & Wesson became a subsidiary of Bangor-Punta from 1965–1983. Between 1983–1987, Smith & Wesson was owned by the Lear Siegler Co. On May 22, 1987, it was sold to R.L.Tomkins, a British holding company.

Where to look for model number on S & W?

This is where to look for the model number (not used until around 1957). Sometimes the serial number is here, especially in later models. .32-20 Hand Ejector 32-20 Win. K both of these used a shorter than standard cylinder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eyl3lBL9Vw

What kind of Revolver does Smith and Wesson make?

Among the many contributions Smith & Wesson has given to the firearms industry, the most significant would have to be the Hand Ejector revolver. This series of solid-frame, double-action models with swing-out cylinders and manual case extraction has certainly stood the test of time.

When did Smith and Wesson make the bekeart?

These guns became known as Bekeart models and are highly collectible. Only 292 of the first 1,000 guns were delivered to Bekeart, and some went to other dealers. It was 1915 before Smith & Wesson put the model into regular production. Bekeart models were not marked, so identifying them can be confusing.

Where can I get a Smith and Wesson catalog?

Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. Has the serial numbers, models, years, etc. Good book or you can get a copy for ereaders. Or if you have a specific gun go to smith-wessonforum.com and someone can look it up.