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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 01-17-2012, 10:01 PM
Stang Stang is offline
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Default Need help - cant find serial number

A friend has what looks like a 15-3 the only markings I can find are the normal SW name, 38 special, CTG. I looked everywhere and I cant find any serial number or sign of one. I did not take the grips off. Looked on the but plate, and everywhere else. Background is the gun was inherited from a mother in law possibly given to her from an LEO in the Virginia area. Looks to be all original with mild wear.

Any ideas? Not sure it is a 15-3 but looks like one with 4 inch bbl.

Thanks
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:32 PM
Waidmann Waidmann is offline
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The serial number is on the butt. If the grips encase the butt then remove them to view it. If the gun has been "sterilized", that's a problem.
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:35 PM
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Like the poster above said remove the grips if they cover the butt section of the frame and the serial number will be there on the bottom. If it's not there then you have a problem.
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:36 PM
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Sounds like a K38 combat masterpiece pre-1957.
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:37 PM
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The grips expose the butt and there is no number there and no sign that anything was ever there or scrubbed........ any thoughts ? Is it possible it was scrubbed so well that it matches the bluing and patina of the rest of the gun ?

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Originally Posted by Waidmann View Post
The serial number is on the butt. If the grips encase the butt then remove them to view it. If the gun has been "sterilized", that's a problem.
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Old 01-17-2012, 10:43 PM
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Without a serial number your friend has got a problem. It's illiegal to possess a S&W without a serial number.
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Last edited by diamonback68; 01-18-2012 at 09:32 PM.
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Old 01-17-2012, 11:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stang View Post
The grips expose the butt and there is no number there and no sign that anything was ever there or scrubbed........ any thoughts ? Is it possible it was scrubbed so well that it matches the bluing and patina of the rest of the gun ?
The bottom of the gripframe will have the serial number.

The bottom.

A model 15 - K-38 will have a serial number with a K in it.

REmove the grips altogether and look.

IF removed it should be evident.

Good luck
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Old 01-18-2012, 12:01 AM
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Take the grips off. The serial number will be on the bottom. If it's not there the gun isn't leagal to own.
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Old 01-18-2012, 09:59 AM
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Found it..... SN is 6D40xxx

Any way to tell for sure what model it is ? Or how old ?

Thanks for all the help !
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:05 AM
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Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson shows that serial numbers: 6D10001 through 7D10000 were shipped in 1980.
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:08 AM
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Your friend does not have a model 15. Per the serial number it's fixed sight gun probably a Military&Police Model 10 which would be on the yoke of the gun with the cylinder opened and it was shipped from the factory in 1980. Nothing special.
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by diamonback68 View Post
Without a serial number your friend has got a problem. It's illiegal to possess a handgun without a serial number.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 made it mandatory for all weapons to have S.N. Prior to that they were optional. That is not to say that any S & W was made without one it is just to say that there are weapons out there without a S.N. on them.
Bill
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:15 AM
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Take the grips off. The serial number will be on the bottom. If it's not there the gun isn't leagal to own.

I disagree. I have a revolver that had a swivel installed, obliterating a couple of numbers of the serial number but... the installer stamped the serial number on the side of the grip frame.
Ed
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtBill View Post
The Gun Control Act of 1968 made it mandatory for all weapons to have S.N. Prior to that they were optional. That is not to say that any S & W was made without one it is just to say that there are weapons out there without a S.N. on them.
Bill
But he has a modern gun made after 1968, which without a serial number, would be illegal.
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Old 01-18-2012, 10:33 AM
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Found the SN!!! now need to find the model number..... thanks everyone !! Great help here!



Quote:
Originally Posted by Stang View Post
Found it..... SN is 6D40xxx

Any way to tell for sure what model it is ? Or how old ?

Thanks for all the help !
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Old 01-18-2012, 11:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stang View Post
Found the SN!!! now need to find the model number..... thanks everyone !! Great help here!
Swing the cylinder open and look on the frame in the yoke cut. This is a Model 60 pictured; your friends gun will likely be marked "MOD 10-7" or "MOD 10-8".

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Old 01-18-2012, 09:01 PM
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Actually, it is not illegal to own a gun with no serial number if that gun was manufactured without a serial number.

S&Ws all had serial numbers. Even the antiques.
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combat masterpiece, k38, masterpiece, military, model 10, model 15, model 60, sig arms

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