Dating a S&W revolver?

[Duneblaster]

"Dating a revolver"..

 

[titsonritz]

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

This revolver was made prior to model number designations, which began in 1957.

 

[titsonritz]

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

Yep

Manufacture Year by Serial Number
"K" Frame Revolvers - 1899 to 1983:
(Years/Serial Number Range)
Pre-War Years:
1899-1902...........1-20,975
1902-1903...........20,976-33,803
1903-1905...........33,804-62,449
1905-1906...........62,450-73,250
1906-1908...........73,251-120,000
1908-1909...........120,001-146,899
1909-1915...........146,900-241,703
1915-1942...........241,704-1,000,000

 

[JuglansRegia]

The official serial number is on the butt, additionally you will find it on the back of the cylinder, under the extrator star, under the barrel and on the back side of the sideplate. 1938 us an assembly number which will match the one on the crane (the part that swings out) So if you have the right number then 1905 is probable

 

[64MercurysRule]

Based on the serial number looks to be a 1905 date .

 

[po18guy]

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.

It is known as a 5 screw model, with the "long action" which is generally a long but very smooth double action trigger. As with all Smith revolvers, the single action is excellent. It is chambered for a semi-legendary cartridge, the .32 Winchester Center Fire commonly known as the .32-20, which was introduced in 1882. It is not interchangeable with other cartridges and may be somewhat difficult to find. Smaller gun shops and gun shows can often turn up harder to find ammo. The Colt Single Action Army (Frontier Six Shooter) is often encountered in this chambering, and like the 9mm, was known to "shoot right through a man." The fellows at the Colt Forum are a storehouse of information and may even have some leads on ammunition.

 

[Sxsnuf]

Much thanks to all the folks that helped me gather this information. There's a wealth of knowledge here. I've not heard the term "long action" as po18guy posted, but it is noticably longer in the frame, and cylinder than some of the photos I've seen of revolvers chambered in say, 32 s&w long.
Ammo seems to be available in everything from hot rod loads to mild cowboy action fodder. The mild stuff is what I'll be using in this revolver. Looking forward to it's next trip to the range.
Again, Thanx to everyone!