Stopped tonight at the only local shop that even occasionally has an older S&W tucked away, trying to start a collection the hard way (w/o internet sales). I have an idea of what I need next, but he hands me something completely different. a 4" blue Model 33-1. A slim and elegant piece in near pristine condition. It is marked 38 S&W ctg., serial R40XXX. My book makes no mention of an R prefix on the M 33 (Thanks to Wisconsin law, I couldn't bring it home tonight, but I made it mine). What can anyone tell me about this little charmer?

My book shows it in the same group as the Models 60, 651, 32 and the 33.
Oooops spoke too fast, it was shipped in 1970-1973 time frame.

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Dick

Yours was made between 70 - 73 and discontinued in 74. Your's is a J frame - Model 33 shoots the 38 S&W which makes it less popular than a J frame in 38 Special but collectable none the less. I would value your's around $300

Your serial number falls early in the R30001-R99999 series, 1970 to 1973. It was probably built in 1970.

If it were after 1983 as diamondback68 states it would have a 3 letter prefix, not one.

I see that as I type this ken158 has also made this correction. SCSW & SCSW3 shor the R serials were only models 60 and 651.Obviously at least one Model 33 had an "R" SN!!