How to Identify/Date a S&W

[FPrice]

What exactly does that mean pre-model 27? I was under the impression that a model 27 is what it was?

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"Pre-Model" means that it is a revolver which was in production prior to model numbers being assigned in 1957. After that time they became the Model XX. Don't get hung up over the change in designation because that is all it is, a change in product name.

 

[oakasrtheshiz]

Oh okay. Very cool. Kind of neat that it's pre model name. I really appreciate the information. So not to side track to far, but is there any advice you can offer on maintenance. I've had the gun for some time now and I've shot quite a bit (1-2k at least) of both .38 and .357 through it with no malfunctions what so ever. But other than running a patch through the cylinder and barrel, I don't really know how to take care of the gun like it should be taken care of. I'd also really like to hear opinions on maintaining the finish. From what I've researched from this thread it is a polished blue finish.


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[GuyInOK918]

My S&W 29-2 .44 Mag was stolen, I need to give police the serial number, the only thing I can find in my records is this number "0292024031". This doesn't seem to match up with the numbers on the lists posted here, is this not the serial number ? ? ? I really need to know if this is wrong before I send this info to file a report. HELP ! ! !

 

[dwarven1]

My S&W 29-2 .44 Mag was stolen, I need to give police the serial number, the only thing I can find in my records is this number "0292024031". This doesn't seem to match up with the numbers on the lists posted here, is this not the serial number ? ? ? I really need to know if this is wrong before I send this info to file a report. HELP ! ! !

Could that string be:
"292" - Model 29-2
"024031" - maybe you meant to type serial number N24031?

Just a guess. I don't know if that helps or hinders.

 

[Clint Johnson]

I hope someone still sees this thread. I recently obtained an old Smith and Wesson from an Air Force veteran. He purchased it in 1963, still have the paperwork, but I’m guessing he picked it up used. Can anyone help identify the model, I’m guessing it’s a pre model 10, but not sure. The paperwork just says Smith and Wesson Militsry and Police. Thanks!

 

[Len-2A Training]

Not an expert but I do have a book on S&W. Pictures are too dark, best to have picture of inside crane and S/N if on butt.

 

[FPrice]

We definitely need the serial number to include any letter prefix. If there is a "V" prefix" that will nail it.

But from what clues I can pick up (Len is correct about the darkness of the pictures) I would place it as late 30's to possibly early WWII. Too early to be a real "pre" Model 10 (post WWII) but definitely in the ancestry.

 

[Clint Johnson]

No letter prefix. The serial number starts 866. As soon as I get home I can get the rest and load better pictures.

 

[Clint Johnson]

Ok, full serial number is 866557. The number listed on the arm is 9739. I tried to take some better photos.

 

[FPrice]

Okay. What you have is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change, manufactured around 1940-41. The 9739 number is an assembly number used to keep big parts together.

The grips are a bit of a mystery. I think it should have come with either pre-war diamond grips, OR smooth grips indicative of being manufactured for military use. the grooves in the grips are a bit different.

May I have your permission to post some of these pics on the Smith-WessonForum to see if anyone there has any ideas about those grips.

 

[Clint Johnson]

Absolutely, thanks for the information.

 

[FPrice]

A few of the guys over at the Smith-WessonForum concur with my analysis of your revolver. One of them opined that it probably dates to the Fall, 1941.

They also feel that the grips were some sort of replacement grips (original should have been diamond magnas) that have been "jigged" to look like textured bone stocks.

They are also curious about the S&W logo on the right-side sideplate. They think it looks (by the size) from a different year gun. They are wondering if the sideplate has been replaced. About the only way to even come close to figuring this out would be a hands-on inspection by a real S&W expert.

These are the types of details which S&W collectors love to discuss.

 

[Clint Johnson]

Interesting, thanks for the info! If any of them are around Salt Lake City, Utah, they are more than welcome to see it.

 

[RedLine3rd]

I have a Smith & Wesson 38 with a serial number BAD00xx. I read the lists of numbers and dates at the beginning of this thread and think I know how old the weapon is, but could use some confirmation. Any information about it would be great.
Thanks

 

[greencobra]

i guess if you want to know what year it was made only, call the factory. i called regarding some work i needed done to an older mod 10 and the woman, armed with my serial # and a few keystrokes on her computer, told me the year it was born on. fwiw, she couldn't, or wouldn't, go in to any more detail than that.

 

[Len-2A Training]

I have a Smith & Wesson 38 with a serial number BAD00xx. I read the lists of numbers and dates at the beginning of this thread and think I know how old the weapon is, but could use some confirmation. Any information about it would be great.
Thanks

BAD is not shown in my S&W book, but appears to be 1988 based on the other SNs shown in the book.

 

[FPrice]

In the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition the earliest mention of serial numbers beginning with a three-letter sequence starting with "B" is 1988. There are several combinations which start with "BA", but "BAD" is not among them. Calling S&W directly may help confirm this.

 

[RedLine3rd]

Does the Latin or Spanish writing in the logo mean anything or is that standard?

 

[RedLine3rd]

Sorry,
I’m having thumb and phone issues this morning.

 

[FPrice]

I see no Spanish or Latin in the logos on my S&W firearms.

 

[wolf120771]

Hy,
could anyone help me to identify my S&W 29-10 / SerialNr. is CTJ2102.
thanx a lot.

 

[jrc0641]

I have a S&W Regulation Police .38 S&W Serial number 24011. Can anyone tell me what year it was manufactured? Also inside the cylinder are the numbers 3 49 2...what do these mean? Thanks in advance.

 

[FPrice]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition lists the following serial number range for the .38 Regulation Police (pre model number versions)

1917-1940 1-54474

Late 1920's to early 1930's would be a good rough guess.

You can probably get a better estimate on the Smith & Wesson forum (Smith & Wesson Forum) along with some interesting commentary on this model. You might be able to call S&W directly also, but going on the forum would introduce you to some of the S&W collectors and give you more information. Not to mention more places to spend time online.

 

[jrc0641]

I truly appreciate your time FPrice.

 

[daekken]

The catalog is not online, correct? You must buy it? Curious about the date on S&W revolver, I know the general timeframe (late 70s to mid 80s) but not sure. I see lots of references to the catalog, but I think it was $25 on Amazon which is not worth it to me for one Serial.

 

[FPrice]

I truly appreciate your time FPrice.

You are more than welcome. I have been (and still am in a minor way) an S&W collector and helping people with such questions is a labor of love. BTW, I forgot to answer your other question about the markings in the crane area. They are assembly numbers, used to be used to keep major parts of the firearm together during the assembly process.

The catalog is not online, correct? You must buy it? Curious about the date on S&W revolver, I know the general timeframe (late 70s to mid 80s) but not sure. I see lots of references to the catalog, but I think it was $25 on Amazon which is not worth it to me for one Serial.

Nope, the book is, well it's a real book. Large and very detailed. It is meant for S&W collectors and aficianados. Not worth it for just one reference but well worth the money for someone who collects.

For simple serial number questions you can call S&W. Hopefully they still provide this service.

 

[Mike Rubba]

I just got a S&W Model 10-5 and would like to ID the year if possible. The serial # is D722855. Thanks, Mike

 

[FPrice]

The serial # is D722855. Thanks, Mike

1974-1975 D659902-D750000

 

[Mike Rubba]

Thanks for the info FPrice.

 

[daekken]

You are more than welcome. I have been (and still am in a minor way) an S&W collector and helping people with such questions is a labor of love. BTW, I forgot to answer your other question about the markings in the crane area. They are assembly numbers, used to be used to keep major parts of the firearm together during the assembly process.

Would you be able to assist with 86K3xxx ? It is a 15-4, but is pinned despite the -4 supposedly reflecting the processing being discontinued. I've read a couple posts where they have a -4 that's still pinned and the theory seemed to be that they were "early" after the designation change and S&W might still have been using parts made prior to the decision.

It's my first S&W of any kind.