Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961
o

Notices

S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-22-2010, 11:17 PM
Munsterf18's Avatar
Munsterf18 Munsterf18 is offline
US Veteran
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: North Gawja
Posts: 561
Likes: 204
Liked 159 Times in 59 Posts
Default Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted

I'm trying to date an early Model 51. SN dates it to about 1959(corrected), but I believe production didn't start until 1960. So it looks like it was an earlier made kit gun frame.

Anybody have an early 51 they've dated or an idea of the earliest SN's and delivery dates? Did they even match up?

Thanks,
Munster
__________________
GO NAVY!

Last edited by Munsterf18; 12-24-2010 at 08:56 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-23-2010, 09:40 AM
greystonedog's Avatar
greystonedog greystonedog is offline
Member
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I have had several early ones, pre M serial number. Book says the first was 52,637 May of 1960. Does yours say M51 inside behind the yoke? All M51's were J frame. If the SN dates to 1954 ( below 20,000) it should be the mod I frame and most likely a 4 screw sideplate. And the 1954 gun would have the barrel and cylinder serial number marked. You may have a 1954 gun that was rebarrelled to 22 mag
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-23-2010, 10:42 AM
greystonedog's Avatar
greystonedog greystonedog is offline
Member
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Default

If 22 mag it would have to be a J frame as the 22 mag cartridge is too long for the I frame pre SN 70,000 guns
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-23-2010, 06:10 PM
Munsterf18's Avatar
Munsterf18 Munsterf18 is offline
US Veteran
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: North Gawja
Posts: 561
Likes: 204
Liked 159 Times in 59 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greystonedog View Post
I have had several early ones, pre M serial number. Book says the first was 52,637 May of 1960. Does yours say M51 inside behind the yoke? All M51's were J frame. If the SN dates to 1954 ( below 20,000) it should be the mod I frame and most likely a 4 screw sideplate. And the 1954 gun would have the barrel and cylinder serial number marked. You may have a 1954 gun that was rebarrelled to 22 mag
Thanks,
It's a model marked J frame. It has a SN that in the J frame series would have come before 1960. It appears that it was just an older frame that was used on a Model 51.

I'm away from my SCSW, but wouldn't 52,637 have been earlier than 1960 had it been on a M34 instead of M51?

Thanks,
__________________
GO NAVY!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-24-2010, 10:26 AM
red9 red9 is offline
SWCA Member
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 1,045
Liked 2,484 Times in 458 Posts
Default M51 serial number

When you refer to J frame serial numbers, are you assuming that the model 51 was numbered with the Chief Special? The model 51 was numbered in series with the other kit gun varients, but not with the Chiefs.

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-24-2010, 08:52 PM
Munsterf18's Avatar
Munsterf18 Munsterf18 is offline
US Veteran
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: North Gawja
Posts: 561
Likes: 204
Liked 159 Times in 59 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by red9 View Post
When you refer to J frame serial numbers, are you assuming that the model 51 was numbered with the Chief Special? The model 51 was numbered in series with the other kit gun varients, but not with the Chiefs.

Bob
Thanks Bob,
That's what I meant. You said it a little clearer than I.

Just wondering what the earliest M51's were numbered.
__________________
GO NAVY!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-24-2010, 09:56 PM
bmg60's Avatar
bmg60 bmg60 is offline
SWCA Member
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: big sky country montana
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 720
Liked 6,410 Times in 545 Posts
Default

HI
I have a very early mocel 51 in Nickel it is a square butt.
not model marked.
Serial number is 67003
jim
i hope this helps
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-25-2010, 10:50 PM
JudgeColt JudgeColt is offline
SWCA Member
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 451
Likes: 23
Liked 263 Times in 113 Posts
Default

The .22WMR was not introduced until 1959 so it is interesting to contemplate that there would be a "Pre-Model 51" since model numbers came into general use in 1957.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-26-2010, 12:20 AM
Model39 Model39 is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fairport, New York
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 154
Liked 3,461 Times in 489 Posts
Default Model 51 Round Butt

I have a Model 51 round butt dual cylinder gun pictured below serial number range 556XX, and that was made in 1960, one of only 600 round butt Model 51's made.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-26-2010, 10:19 AM
Munsterf18's Avatar
Munsterf18 Munsterf18 is offline
US Veteran
Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted Early Model 51/J Frame Info Wanted  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: North Gawja
Posts: 561
Likes: 204
Liked 159 Times in 59 Posts
Default Thanks M39

That's what I was interested in. I'm looking at one in the 57,000 range. Nice round butt btw, I've never seen an older round butt 51.

Thanks for the info,
Munster
__________________
GO NAVY!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
637, cartridge, j frame, kit gun, m39, model 39, round butt, scsw, sideplate

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Wanted: Box for early Model 64...Would also take a Mod. 10 Michagun WANTED to Buy 0 12-23-2013 02:15 PM
Grip Repair Info Wanted N Frame RB Combats jjbrewst1 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 11 09-10-2013 09:12 PM
WANTED: Early S&W Model 49's unclemoney42 WANTED to Buy 0 05-31-2011 11:36 PM
S&W Model 15-8, 38 Spl Info wanted fnplastics S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 2 04-06-2011 11:23 AM
Info Wanted-Pre War K Frame Magnas Milpolice S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 15 01-06-2010 07:38 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:42 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)