Trying to find out when a 38 SW revolver was made. Serial number on butt is 246136. Any suggestions on how to research?

A photo would help but here goes.

You have a .38 Hand Ejector. AKA a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 - 4th Change.

made between 1915-1942. Serial number range 241704 - 1000000

Welcome to the forum.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

First of all, follow the instructions in this thread found at the top of this subforum. It tells you all we need to know to properly identify your gun and help you further:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

PS: Probability favors Mike's guess, but your info leaves other possibilities open.

Here is a shot of my 3rd change which shipped from the factory in Oct 1914.



Does it look anything like yours?

__________________
Mike
S&WCA #3065

Given that yours is similar in appearance to that shown above, then this will help you make a reasonable guess as to when yours left the factory (which can be determined accurately only with a letter from the historical foundation).

#238778 (a third change) shipped March 5, 1915.

#264678 (a fourth change) shipped March 1, 1917.

Aside from that, you can get a book---or several which will tell you pretty much anything you might want to know.

Book #1: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (4th edition)

Book #2 Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 (Revised edition)

There are others, but these two will get you to the expert level.

Ralph Tremaine