Smith and Wesson .38 Special

[cjames1]

I have an older model S & W .38 Special that I cannot find out exactly what model it is, or the year it was made. I have called S & W about it. They were able to tell me the approximate year, but they said it was a Pre-Model 15. I went to a gun dealer and they said their was no Pre-Model 15 in their book. So far I have went to two different dealers and they have told me the same thing. Can anyone help me find some answers. Please. Thank you.

Corey James

[TonyF]

There was indeed a pre 15 model. S&W has an extensive library of data and I'd believe them before a gun shop.

[Xringshooter]

Try opening the cylinder and look at the frame where the ejector rod sits when closed. If there are any numbers there the first 2 should be the model number. If there is a dash and a number after that, that would give the "version number" and you can get an approximate manufacture date. For example if you saw 10-2 that would designate it as a Model 10 2nd "revision"(?). Another thing to do would be take a picture of it and post it on the Smith and Wesson website. Someone there would probably be able to ID it.

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

The S&W revolver that you are refering to as the "pre-Model 15" is the K-Frame K-38 Combat Masterpiece, both are the same firearm just the pre models were manufactured to 1957.

Before 1957 the Smith & Wesson revolver line products had names. After 1957 the S&W went to model designations and started marking their firearms with model numbers.

Here are just a few examples:
1). .38 Military & Police could be the pre model 19, pre model 12, premodel 13 depending on steel frame, alloy frame, and type of cylinder.
2). The K-38 Target Masterpiece would be the pre-model 14
3). The .38 Chief's Special would be the pre-model 36

The number following the dash (15-1) was a production change in the revolver line for that model number.



Hope this helps and isn't too long winded.

oracle

[mrwildroot]

The S&W revolver that you are refering to as the "pre-Model 15" is the K-Frame K-38 Combat Masterpiece, both are the same firearm just the pre models were manufactured to 1957.

Before 1957 the Smith & Wesson revolver line products had names. After 1957 the S&W went to model designations and started marking their firearms with model numbers.

Here are just a few examples:
1). .38 Military & Police could be the pre model 19, pre model 12, premodel 13 depending on steel frame, alloy frame, and type of cylinder.
2). The K-38 Target Masterpiece would be the pre-model 14
3). The .38 Chief's Special would be the pre-model 36

The number following the dash (15-1) was a production change in the revolver line for that model number.



Hope this helps and isn't too long winded.

oracle

oracle,
I don't want to hijack this thread, but...
Is there a site where I could find the Year of manufacture for my model 36 Chiefs' spcl?
Your post puts it after 1957, and I have been told it is an early issue.
The S&W site does not list serial numbers/age of manufacture.
Thanks,

mrwildroot

[Joeg52]

Try asking here...
http://smith-wessonforum.com

[mrwildroot]

Try asking here...
http://smith-wessonforum.com

Thanks for the URL!
On the way now...
mrwildroot

[mrwildroot]

Try asking here...
http://smith-wessonforum.com

Hurry up and wait...
Awaiting approval so I can access/post on this site..read the FAQs, and they listed everything BUT my mod.36...
Just one more reason I love the PAFOA site....
Limited BS...unlimited resources.
mrwildroot

[mrwildroot]

Hurry up and wait...
Awaiting approval so I can access/post on this site..read the FAQs, and they listed everything BUT my mod.36...
Just one more reason I love the PAFOA site....
Limited BS...unlimited resources.
mrwildroot

Got to post finally and received a reply:
S&W records show that it was manufactured somewhere between 1962 and 1969...
mrwildroot

[mrwildroot]

Based on all the info received at S&W Forum, it looks like my Model 36 J frame was born '68 to early '69.
Diamond grips were discontinued in '68, and they started to add a "J" prefix to the serial number in '69.
Sure is challenging to discover something that should be simple...
mrwildroot