Greetings. First time poster.

I'm hoping that someone can help me determine the age (approximate is OK) of a S&W .38 special CTG that I inherited from my grandfather several years ago. The serial number is K976_ _ _.

If you need more information, let me know. Thanks for any help you can provide.

'Nom

Welcome to the Forum.

S&W keeps records of shipping dates, rather than actual production dates. Yours probably shipped in 1970.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Welcome to the forum. If the dashes indicate your serial number is a K followed by six numerical digits, your gun is probably from 1970 or 1971.

If the gun has a six inch barrel, it is called a K-38 Masterpiece. If you open the cylinder you should see the designation MOD 14-3 stamped on the frame. If the barrel is four inches or less, it is called a Combat Masterpiece, and the stamped model designation will be MOD 15-3. In each case the -3 means third engineering revision since the Model numbers were established in 1957. The dash numbers are how S&W keeps track of design revisions in particular models that have long production lives.

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David Wilson

Thank you for the quick (much quicker than expected) replies.

Yes, the serial number is K followed by six digits. I just didn't want to post all of them in a public forum.

It does show MOD 15-3 on the frame. (I never noticed that before.) So I guess mine is a "Combat Masterpiece" from the early seventies. Cool. I like that.

Sweet firearm, by the way. Bit of a hair trigger when you shoot it single action, but not a problem as long as you know that up front. Currently my home defense weapon of choice.

Thanks again, folks.

Welcome to the forum! The Combat Masterpiece is a fine weapon, and is a great choice for home defense. Congratulations!

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Even older, even crankier....

What is the approximate age of Smith & Wesson Revolver, Serial Number: 375164

any letters in the serial #.

Very early Smith's did not have a letter prefix, most post WWII models have a K, N or S etc in front of the numbers. The serial number should be taken From the bottom of the grip frame.

Any other markings would help as would pics of the gun itself.


Charlie

No letters just numbers. Shows Patented dates from 1906, 09 &14.

That "hair trigger" is also known as push-off. It is a problem that aught to be fixed. It means that the sear surface of the trigger isn't seating securely enough in the cocking notch of the hammer. It can only get worse and more dangerous.

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Why, I aughta.....

Welcome to the forum.

If your gun is a .38 special, it is from about 1921. If it is a .22 or .32, it would be from a couple of years later. Different models had different serial number ranges.

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David Wilson

It is a 38 special with pearl grips. I believe my father acquired it in the 20's in eastern Kentucky. He likely carried it for close to 20 years before relocating north...