Dating a S&W revolver?

[Sxsnuf]

I was gifted a revolver recently. That's a story of it's own as I posted in General Firearm Discussion. I'm trying to figure out the model and date of manufacture. It's the only S&W I own and I know little about them.

It has the S&W badge on the right side plate, instead of under the cylinder latch, as I've normally seen. The chambering is stamped on the left side of the barrel (32 wcf ctg). The right side of the barrel has some rash but it doesn't appear there are any markings on it. The top of the barrel has patent markings all up and down the full 6" length. There are 4 screws on the side plate (though there could be 1 under the grip panel) & 1 in the front of the trigger guard. I've read that feature has some meaning and might help date it. The 5 digit serial # is on the bottom of the grip frame. The case colors on the hammer and trigger are bright. It also has the brass S&W emblems recessed in the grip panels. If the grips are original, that might help with date of manuf, or so I've read. I just remembered to check inside the frame and It's stamped 1938 but I think that # might mean something besides date of manuf. Any help is much appreciated.
Thanx

Read More

 

[P7M13]

I dunno, if I were to date a revolver, I'd pick one with a flat top.

 

[Sxsnuf]

I dunno, if I were to date a revolver, I'd pick one with a flat top.

Leg man huh? Or a place to hold your beer?

 

[P7M13]

Leg man huh?

Need a place to set my beer

 

[64MercurysRule]

Doing a quick search I found this Smith &Wesson forum thread . There may be other threads on their forum . Seems your S&W is 19teens or 20s .

.32 WCF 1905 M&P Hand Ejector

I have acquired a revolver which is a 32-20 caliber. The serial # is 74051, the last Patent number on the 4-1/4' barrel says 01DEC17 and 32 WCF CTG, the serial number is on the cylinder and butt.

smith-wessonforum.com

 

[OldBroad44]

I was gifted a revolver recently. That's a story of it's own as I posted in General Firearm Discussion. I'm trying to figure out the model and date of manufacture. It's the only S&W I own and I know little about them.

It has the S&W badge on the right side plate, instead of under the cylinder latch, as I've normally seen. The chambering is stamped on the left side of the barrel (32 wcf ctg). The right side of the barrel has some rash but it doesn't appear there are any markings on it. The top of the barrel has patent markings all up and down the full 6" length. There are 4 screws on the side plate & 1 in the front of the trigger guard. I've read that feature has some meaning and might help date it. The 5 digit serial # is on the bottom of the grip frame. The case colors on the hammer and trigger are bright. It also has the brass S&W emblems recessed in the grip panels. If the grips are original, that might help with date of manuf, or so I've read. I just remembered to check inside the frame and It's stamped 1938 but I think that # might mean something besides date of manuf. Any help is much appreciated.
Thanx

View attachment 1996275

Give us the first two or three digits of serial number and I or one of my fellow SW revolver lovers will look it up in our monster SW catalog.

 

[Sxsnuf]

Give us the first two or three digits of serial number and I or one of my fellow SW revolver lovers will look it up in our monster SW catalog.

637xx
Thank you!

 

[Sxsnuf]

Doing a quick search I found this Smith &Wesson forum thread . There may be other threads on their forum . Seems your S&W is 19teens or 20s .

.32 WCF 1905 M&P Hand Ejector

I have acquired a revolver which is a 32-20 caliber. The serial # is 74051, the last Patent number on the 4-1/4' barrel says 01DEC17 and 32 WCF CTG, the serial number is on the cylinder and butt.

smith-wessonforum.com

Thanx! I went and had a look at that thread and may need to sign up over there. Based on what I read, it seems you're probably right. Or, mine could be a Franken gun made up of parts laying around the factory. It sounds as if that's not uncommon.

 

[Nosferatu]

I dated a revolver once.

She spun me right round, baby. Right round, like a record, baby. Round, round, right round.

 

[TTSX]

I dated a revolver once.

She spun me right round, baby. Right round, like a record, baby. Round, round, right round.

Sounds like she had you "pegged"

 

[oremike]

I dated a revolver once.

She spun me right round, baby. Right round, like a record, baby. Round, round, right round.

Is that where you don't lose your girl-friend, only your turn.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CdVTCDdEwI&t=4s

 

[DirectDrive]

I know you two have just started dating, but eventually you may a get a "look under the hood" if you know what I mean.

When you do, see if there's a model number there.

For example :

 

[Sxsnuf]

I know you two have just started dating, but eventually you may a get a "look under the hood" if you know what I mean.

When you do, see if there's a model number there.

For example :
View attachment 1996387

Yeah, I mentioned it in the OP. 1938.
Dont know what it means though. It has no relationship to the serial#.
Thanx

 

[1911Fanatic]

Need a place to set my beer

Or a place to set my ashtray while double parked….

 

[JuglansRegia]

I haven't seen my S&W book since 2012 but based on my experience, it's in excellent shape for it's age which l would put somewhere between 1915 and 1925. It doesn't look like it's been re blued and the color case hardening is still has it's color.

 

[OldBroad44]

@Sxsnuf --
See if this fits. From Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition.

.32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 – 2nd Change Caliber – .32 S&W Long, double-action revolver built on the round butt I frame with 5 screws, 3-1⁄4", 4-1⁄4" or 6-inch round pinned barrel lengths with "32 Long CTG" on the left side, with the right side usually being observed as blank, designed like the first change model with minor changes. A small S&W Monogram is found on the frame under the thumbpiece with no other frame markings observed, however patent dates are found on the top of the barrel of "March 27 1894, August 4, 1896, December 22, 1896, October 8, 1901, December 17, 1901, February 8, 1906". Available in blue or nickel finish, with either service or target sights, black rubber stocks or walnut extension type stocks on the target version, 6 shot fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.25", target sights consist of a pin on a raised boss in the front and adjustable for windage and elevation on the rear, while the service sights are a forged round blade front sight with a notch cut rear sight. Serial numbers are located on the butt, cylinder face, yoke, barrel flat and back of the star extractor. Checked hammer and smooth trigger. Weight is 18.5 oz with a 4-1⁄4" barrel. Serial number range 51127 to 95500 with 44,373 manufactured circa 1906-1909 Values for .32 HE Model of 1903 are similar for the various changes. See above.

 

[Sxsnuf]

I haven't seen my S&W book since 2012 but based on my experience, it's in excellent shape for it's age which l would put somewhere between 1915 and 1925. It doesn't look like it's been re blued and the color case hardening is still has it's color.

Thanx for the info. The pic I posted probably makes the gun look better than it does in reality. A close inspection would show some rash on the top strap. There's very little wear on the front and back of the grip frame and the grip panels likewise show very light wear. There's muzzle wear and maybe holster wear on the top of the frame at the barrel juncture. I think it may have drawn some moisture while left in a leather holsterThe general wear makes me wonder if it might have been carried alot, and shot a little. I'd still say it's in very good condition for a 100+ yr old revolver, but if you want to call it "excellent", I'd happily defer to your judgement.

 

[Sxsnuf]

@Sxsnuf --
See if this fits. From Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition.

.32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 – 2nd Change Caliber – .32 S&W Long, double-action revolver built on the round butt I frame with 5 screws, 3-1⁄4", 4-1⁄4" or 6-inch round pinned barrel lengths with "32 Long CTG" on the left side, with the right side usually being observed as blank, designed like the first change model with minor changes. A small S&W Monogram is found on the frame under the thumbpiece with no other frame markings observed, however patent dates are found on the top of the barrel of "March 27 1894, August 4, 1896, December 22, 1896, October 8, 1901, December 17, 1901, February 8, 1906". Available in blue or nickel finish, with either service or target sights, black rubber stocks or walnut extension type stocks on the target version, 6 shot fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.25", target sights consist of a pin on a raised boss in the front and adjustable for windage and elevation on the rear, while the service sights are a forged round blade front sight with a notch cut rear sight. Serial numbers are located on the butt, cylinder face, yoke, barrel flat and back of the star extractor. Checked hammer and smooth trigger. Weight is 18.5 oz with a 4-1⁄4" barrel. Serial number range 51127 to 95500 with 44,373 manufactured circa 1906-1909 Values for .32 HE Model of 1903 are similar for the various changes. See above.

I certainly appreciate your efforts @Oldbroad 44, but only a little of that describes the characteristics of my revolver.

It has the S&W badge on the right side plate, instead of under the thumbpiece on the left side. The chambering is stamped on the left side of the barrel (32 wcf ctg). The top of the barrel has patent markings and it looks like the last one is Sept 14 09. There are 4 screws on the side plate, though there might be 1 under the grip? & 1 in the front of the trigger guard. The 5 digit serial # is on the bottom of the square butt grip frame, but not on the cylinder face, or anywhere else, that I can see. Without digging out my calipers, the cylinder measures about 1-9/16". It has hardwood grips with the brass medallion inserts. If you open the cylinder, it's stamped 1938 on the yolk and the crane? (not a revolver specialist)
Thanx again!

 

[Paolung]

I dunno, if I were to date a revolver, I'd pick one with a flat top.

Blasphemy.

 

[orygun]

This says 1905-6.

Smith&Wesson K Frame Serial Numbers by year of manufacture

I don't know if this has been posted here yet but zi thought it might help answer a few questions. rolleyes:

smith-wessonforum.com