Several old Smiths

[fourb20]

I'm trying to date several old smiths and apologize if I have asked some of these questions in the past but I lost my notes.

All are .38 special, HE, 5 screws; first is a 4" round butt s/n 2080xx, next a 5" w/lanyard s/n 8584xx, a 5" s/n S V 8105xx, a 6" s/n S 9205xx, and a 6" s/n 1586xx *, the frame is marked 11/49 so I assume it went back to smith for something, it does have King sites.

Last is a 32 WCF 6" s/n 984xx.

Thanks in advance.

[Targets Guy]

s/n 8584xx

I found a 8584xx that shipped Nov 41

s/v 8105xx

I show a SV810706 that shipped 3/46

s/n S9205xx

closest I can get to that one is S926190; it shipped 2/47

[Jim Watson]

Ooh, ooh, show the King!

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by fourb20

5" s/n S V 8105xx, a 6" s/n S 9205xx

I am in the midst of a large research project on the late SV and S prefix Military & Police models. If you would be kind enough to send me the full serial numbers of these two guns, I could incorporate them into my data. Please send via PM if you don't want to post them in public. I don't track ownership.

I list quite a few in the SV810xxx range and so far, all of them shipped in March, 1946.

Your S9205xx very likely left the factory in August, 1947. I show several with the 6" barrel in that serial range. It should be noted that my research indicates the 6" barrel was the least common length in the 1946-48 period. But I have fewer than 2500 examples surveyed out of approximately 180,000 guns, so all conclusions are tentative at this time.

Last is a 32 WCF 6" s/n 984xx

I list several in this ballpark serial range. There is a lot of inconsistency in when .32-20 HE revolvers shipped, but here are a few numbers and ship dates for your consideration:

90303 - July, 1920
91555 - August, 1920
96786 - April, 1921
99052 - April, 1921

The one thing we can say about yours is that it was made before about May/June, 1922, because that is when the caliber stamp changed from 32 W.C.F. CTG to 32-20 CTG. Made in U.S.A. started showing up on the right side of the frame about that same time. Yours should not have it.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by Targets Guy

s/n S9205xx

closest I can get to that one is S926190; it shipped 2/47

Really? Is that date verified?

I list a bunch in the S926xxx range and all of the verified ship dates in that range went out the door in September, seven months later than your stated ship date. I'd like some help on this one, if you can provide it.

[DWalt]

"Last is a 32 WCF 6" s/n 984xx"

On my list is 983xx which shipped in 4/1921

"a 6" s/n 1586xx *"

Closest I have listed is 1500xx which shipped 3/1910

"a 6" s/n S9205xx"

I list S9197xx as shipping in 8/47