Smith and Wesson serial number search
- Thread starter Driveout02
- Start date
This has the number 11398 stamped on the bottom of the grip frame or butt, as well as under the barrel and on the cylinder where you load in the cartridges. I'm not sure of the model. measuring the barrel it is actually slightly less than 4". I bought this quite a few years ago and have fired it a few times. It my favorite revolver.
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.38 M&P hand ejector
.38 M&P hand ejector, 5-screw, Square Butt, nickel-plated. Shoots .38 special.
Hand is free-floating in trigger, tensioned by mechanism in the sideplate. Yoke will not freely separate from cylinder as in newer S&W's.
This is probably a K-frame or predecessor to it.
Serial number is 540###.
Response much appreciated..
.38 M&P hand ejector, 5-screw, Square Butt, nickel-plated. Shoots .38 special.
Hand is free-floating in trigger, tensioned by mechanism in the sideplate. Yoke will not freely separate from cylinder as in newer S&W's.
This is probably a K-frame or predecessor to it.
Serial number is 540###.
Response much appreciated..
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Hello
I Believe it is a Pre-15 which is called a Combat Masterpiece. The serial number you gave Points to a serial of around 1947 but they did not make this Model until 1949. I suspect you forgot to add the K-Prefix that should be in front of the serial number ? If it is from that time span, it may have been a Pre-serial numbered frame used for your revolver that shipped Later. The Model 15 as it is known after 1957 when S&W assigned model numbers in the crane area, is a 4" Barrel version of the Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece. This model shown is called the Combat Masterpiece because it has a Baughman quick draw front sight blade, and the shorter 4" Barrel. It is a Five screw gun so that tells me it is before 1956-1958 Era. It has the small cylinder extractor common with Post War revolvers and a Four Line address that started after 1947. It is in very nice shape and The Five screw configuration makes it Heavily sought after by Collectors. I hope this Helps, Hammer It
I had picked up a used model 19 about 4 months ago, shoots very nicely i might add. I had no idea when it was manuafactured so i e mailed Smith and Wesson and they got back to me in 3 days saying it was made in 1983. I was surprised as its in good shape but especially so for being that old.
Must have been owned by a little old lady from Passadena !!
Must have been owned by a little old lady from Passadena !!
Thanks Hammer It and Kamerer.
The only other information that I have is that someone posted on another forum that it was circa 1927, a M&P, but never revealed his source.
My only resource book is The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns and Prices 2007and it appears that it's called a "Hand Ejector Model of 1905, 4th change", with that serial number. But I am not sure of this source at all, but it would be consistent with the other poster because book says this was the largest run, and was from 1915 to 1942, with serial numbers from 241704 to 1000000. Of course, the date of manufacture for 540### is not indicated. And I might have the wrong model gun.
Anyway, I just placed an order with Amazon for the S&W Catalogue by Supica, etc. I don't know if it will help but I want the book anyway.
Any additional or other input would be appreciated.
The only other information that I have is that someone posted on another forum that it was circa 1927, a M&P, but never revealed his source.
My only resource book is The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns and Prices 2007and it appears that it's called a "Hand Ejector Model of 1905, 4th change", with that serial number. But I am not sure of this source at all, but it would be consistent with the other poster because book says this was the largest run, and was from 1915 to 1942, with serial numbers from 241704 to 1000000. Of course, the date of manufacture for 540### is not indicated. And I might have the wrong model gun.
Anyway, I just placed an order with Amazon for the S&W Catalogue by Supica, etc. I don't know if it will help but I want the book anyway.
Any additional or other input would be appreciated.
Hey Guys
What Ya'll need is a copy of The Standard Catalog of S&W's by Supica & Nahas. it is an excellent reference book and less than a box of shells. I have all three additions and if you only have ONE S&W revolver you should not be without it. You Guys are wearing me and my Book out looking up all your revolvers here..They are Cheap, Get ya one..Here is a Link to one. Hammer It
http://cgi.ebay.com/Standard-Catalo...6471QQihZ002QQcategoryZ378QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZ
What Ya'll need is a copy of The Standard Catalog of S&W's by Supica & Nahas. it is an excellent reference book and less than a box of shells. I have all three additions and if you only have ONE S&W revolver you should not be without it. You Guys are wearing me and my Book out looking up all your revolvers here..They are Cheap, Get ya one..Here is a Link to one.
Hammer Ithttp://cgi.ebay.com/Standard-Catalo...6471QQihZ002QQcategoryZ378QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZ
Brentfoto - The other source could be correct. He/she could own one with a similar s/n and have had it "lettered" from the factory to find the ship date. 1927 sounds as good an estimate as you can get without a letter. I overlooked that your gun is very probably pre-1930, that exact type of ejector rod cap was changed that year. The Nahas/Supica book will not provide any more specific date for you, but will explain the changes in the model from 1899 to now. It is an excellent book you will enjoy even if it can't answer your specific question.
Andy W - your gun could have been made in 1900, 1942, 1948, or 1968. The serial numbers repeated, so without a picture to see details, or details described on it like earlier in this thread, it's not possible to say. Later guns will have a letter code a few places in front of the number, like "C 17862." Early guns will have the serial number repeated in multiple places - under the barrel, on the cylinder face, under the star, and on the butt. If it were of the earliest date, (1900) it would have a round butt, not a square.
Andy W - your gun could have been made in 1900, 1942, 1948, or 1968. The serial numbers repeated, so without a picture to see details, or details described on it like earlier in this thread, it's not possible to say. Later guns will have a letter code a few places in front of the number, like "C 17862." Early guns will have the serial number repeated in multiple places - under the barrel, on the cylinder face, under the star, and on the butt. If it were of the earliest date, (1900) it would have a round butt, not a square.
Help with serial number
I have just recently been left several firearms from a beloved Uncle. I'm having a little trouble finding information about one of the Smith & Wesson .357 revolvers. As this is my only SW, I don't want to have to buy the book, so can someone that already has the book help me narrow down the details that are available based upon this serial number (CHC3XXX)? I'm also trying to figure out if it is a "Performance" model. I can attach a photo if it will help. It has one of the most beautiful wood grips I've ever seen, but I don't know if it's original or not.
Many thanks,
Tim
I have just recently been left several firearms from a beloved Uncle. I'm having a little trouble finding information about one of the Smith & Wesson .357 revolvers. As this is my only SW, I don't want to have to buy the book, so can someone that already has the book help me narrow down the details that are available based upon this serial number (CHC3XXX)? I'm also trying to figure out if it is a "Performance" model. I can attach a photo if it will help. It has one of the most beautiful wood grips I've ever seen, but I don't know if it's original or not.
Many thanks,
Tim
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There's no way to say what kind of gun it is based on the serial number unless you pay the factory to check. That would be a fairly recent production gun, though. Almost any performance center gun would have that noted in a laser or roll mark on the barrel or frame. A picture would be a good place to start.