Hi guys, I'm an Italian supporter of S&W fine revolvers. First please, excuse me for my bad English, I wasn't a good student at school!
Anyway I introduce myself as I'm retired now! I own two S&W revolvers: an early K38 mod.14 6" barrel of which I'd desire to know the setting up date : serial number K609734 (brand new) and a later 29-2 6" barrel serial number N721749 with wood box.
I thank people who will reply to my questions and I send my best regards to everybody. Robert T.

Buonasera! Your English is better than my Italian!

Your model 14 likely shipped in 1965, and the model 29 in 1980. S & W only tracks by ship or sales date instead of production time. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Robert, Hello, lived in Italy for many years on many tours. My Italian is not good. Hang on, the experts will be here soon. Best, Mike 2796

Thank you very much. So I'm waiting...I've so much time now!!

K605,878 – K658.986....1965
N580,001 – N790,000….1980

These are manufacturing dates.

Wow I'd never have thought to own such old and impressive guns!: I can go to sleep happy this night, I'm very happy indeed!!
Robert T.

Welcome to the FORUM! You can learn so much here! Lot of good people too! Bob

Welcome to the forum robertr. Those are two very impressive guns you have. Congratulations! I think many of us would enjoy hearing about how you acquired them and if vintage S&W revolvers can easily be found in Italy. I always enjoy hearing from our international friends!

It's kind of hard for me to think of 1965 an d 1980 as "vintage" S&W's. I am much older than either of these. But, welcome and we love your country. We were in Italy about 5 years ago and my wife wanted to stay in Venice. While we both liked Venice, I really liked Florence.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

To many here, old guns mean those made before WWII.

Welcome to the forum from CT, roberter. You will find that if you love Smith & Wesson's, it does not matter where you are on the planet,
you will find this forum a welcoming place.

Felice che ti trovi. Godetevi il vostro revolver!

(I hope the online translator got that right)

Benvenuti dallo Stato dell'Indiana! Mia moglie e io amo tutte le cose italiane!

I don't speak Italian but I have been to Italy.

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No life story has happy end.

Welcome to the forum! I love Italy...family is from there and I lived in Vicenza for a time.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Where in Italy are you from?

Good morning America! Here in Italy is quite different from America, because firearms are not loved too much, and there are many restrictions! Anyway I get a regular gun licence and I use to go to shoot because I'm a sporting shooter! Really is very difficult find beautifull old weapons in my country expecially if they arn't "Beretta","Tanfoglio","Pietta" or so on!! Finally I love America expecially by "bike", as I love Harley Davidson and I'm also a biker, I travelled across the "States" from California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada to see your beauties, and next year I'll be there again! Robert

I forgot: I was born and I live in Milan (fashion city) The heart of italian industry and economy...: Cool:!!

Next time you are in the U.S. if you swing by Little Rock contact me and we'll go to the range. You're welcome to shoot anything I have.

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No life story has happy end.

Here are "the babies"! Hi!

Attached Images

	14-2 k38 (800x480).jpg (84.4 KB, 219 views)
	14-2 k38b (800x480).jpg (85.7 KB, 181 views)
	29-2 (800x480).jpg (85.5 KB, 210 views)
	29-2b (800x480).jpg (88.6 KB, 178 views)

Thank you to everybody; very kind of you! Next year I'll be probably in New Mexico and Texas...

I am Italian. I wish I could speak Italian. Never been to Italy but plan to go. If you ever come to Southern California, I have a lot of cool guns you are welcome to shoot.

Beautiful baby pictures roberter! Bello!

Welcome to the forum! 2 very beautiful revolvers you have there! :-)

I'll second the invitation to go shoot a few old Smith & Wessons in Texas if you come through this way.

Welcome to the Forum! There are many people here who will help you with any concerns you have and we welcome you.

Welcome Roberter. S&W is a universal language, some here will say a romance language. All 4 of my grandparents are from Gallarate, not far from you. I've been all over northern Europe, never Italy. Someday hopefully. Ciao. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Drop me a note that you are coming through New Mexico...you can come and shoot at my range!

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Hi guys, I'm writing in the morning while there you're probably deep sleeping, I appreciated your welcome and always I apologize for my poor English, but I think to speak the universal language of...SMITH & WESSON lovers! As now I'm the lucky owner of .44magnum and .38special S&W, my next purchase will be probably a .357magnum. I'm looking for a 27-2 or 28-2 model even if many friends of mine suggest me to look for a Python: "The Cadillac of revolver" they say...Really I tasted one and I found it wonderfull but so much heavy and the hammer run a bit long compered with S&W one! Besides large N frame of S&W looks me more strong. Please can somebody tell me which barrel length mod 28 "Hayghway Patrolman" of californian cops had (4 inch or 6 inch)? Thank you and "un saluto a tutti voi amici"!

Your English is better than that of many who were born here. I bet it's more common to find Berettas, etc., there. I never knew so many Smiths made their way to Europe. Keep us posted, I love hearing about gun collecting in other countries.

You're right, here in italy people want Beretta at any rate, expecially mod.98FS in .9x21 caliber which is a bit longer then 9 para, because they find it reliable and the"gun of u.s.army..."; this may be right and true, but some american weapons, such as S&W, Ruger, Colt, Kimber, Marlin, Remington and so on , have a particular glamour for me, therefore I chosed Maverick 88 for my home defence and S&W revolvers for fun and target shooting. I only own american weapons...: D!!!

I have a first year Highway Patrolman, and a Registered Magnum and 8 Model 27s (some are pre-model) and you're welcome to try any or all of them.

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No life story has happy end.

Wow that's wonderful!I wonder if we find so beautifull guns in Italy how much they would cost! Last week I tried the enclosed 4" Highway Patrolman, serial number N473034 and I found it a "very good tool"! So I put the question about the original barrel lenght of this model...

Attached Images

	28-2.jpg (74.8 KB, 64 views)
	28-2b.jpg (60.4 KB, 49 views)

I'm sorry it's not 4" but 6" bll lenght...: O

When you come to Texas give me a shout, and we can ride our Harley Davidsons to the gun range.
You can have your pick of 30 handguns that I have to shoot.

Welcome to the Forum. You have two great S&Ws to start your collection. Both my grandparents were from Italy and I have traveled there on several business trips. Love the food and the best wine anywhere. You live in a beautiful land. Here are two S&W model 28s out of my collection with fossil custom grips. The M28 is a very wise choice for your next S&W. Congratulations on joining our fine group of collectors and shooting experts. Enjoy!

I think the answer you were looking for is 4".

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Thank you, thank you heartily: my eyes begin shining with all these beautiful guns! Think that in Italy we pay a 29-2 model in good condition (like mine) over 1.500$...!!!

Me, my "bike" and my first...love!! Strange to say but here I was in Italy!!

Attached Images

	country man (800x600).jpg (175.5 KB, 167 views)
	S.&W.29-2.jpg (127.6 KB, 121 views)

I met a gentleman in Vicenza, who lived near La Rotunda, who had a wonderful collection of handguns. His favorite was a WWII vintage Colt 1911A1 in .45 ACP. He had many American made firearms as well.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

I have an 27-2 8 3/8" barrel that has not been shot since it left the factory. I have been saving it for a special occasion. If you show up in Los Angeles it's all yours along with as much of my homegrown hot hot hot .357 as you can handle. Ciao.

When I was younger I served the Army as first lieutenant in Verona at NATO Headquarters: many many years ago! From then on today I began shooting...Now the only semiauto I own is a recently Ruger SR 1911: good gun and wonderful caliber! Anyway today I am always involved with beautiful S&W revolvers! Ancora tanti saluti a tutti gli amici americani del forum, sempre così gentili! (I know to speak English as a spanish cow!)

Look at these two guns 28 mod.and 19 mod., what do you think about? They belongs to my friend Rocco who loves 4 inch barrel revolvers (I prefer 6" to shoot the target...)

Attached Images

	smith wesson 28b (800x600).jpg (95.0 KB, 42 views)
	smith wesson 19b (800x600).jpg (89.5 KB, 40 views)

Both look very nice...you will find fans of both here but for target shooting I would choose the model 28.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Roberter,

You have two of the most iconic S&W in the company's history. The greatest development of their K-frame, which was produced as the Military & Police versions as well as the military issued Victory Model is displayed in your K-38, and of course nobody needs to say any more about a 6" Model 29 than "Dirty Harry." Of course it would also be good to mention "Mr 44 Magnum," Elmer Keith. Yes, you already have two of the very best examples of S&W History.

Where to go from here? If I were going to look for a dedicated 357, I would look for a 586 (blue) or 686 (stainless) which about duplicates the strength and durability of the C**t Python but is still a real S&W. You might also want to experience the fun of small frame S&Ws... the J-frames have a strong following here. The little Model 34 (2 or 4" barrel) or the more rare Model 35 (6" barrel) in 22 lr would "round out" your shooting battery quite nicely. This is just my opinion, of course, but I have to say that I really enjoy my small frame and medium frame 22s and shoot them at least as much as my K-38 and Model 29.

Ultimately, get what you like and enjoy what you get. It's good to have you visit with us here on the S&W board and your experiences and opinions will be a valuable addition. Welcome aboard!

Froggie

Welcome to the s&w forum. You own two awesome s&w revolvers.

I can't speak Italian but I'm the last generation of the full blooded Italians in my family. My grandfather's came here from the old country with my grandmother's. They were farmers and grape smashers. They made wine and grew there own food. Raised livestock. My people are from Naples and very good Italian cooks as you know. I learned what I could and passed everything on to my children. Nothing is lost from the homeland.

Welcome to the forum Roberto...You have excellent taste in guns...My grandfather served with Clark's 5th Army during the War and often told me stories as a child of the kindness of the Italian people and how many an evening was spent having a home cooked meal with an Italian Family...He told me it reminded him of home in rural Kentucky at a time when he thought he may never get home. He continued to correspond with some of the families he had met there until well after the War....My wife's mother is a Marino from the Milan region via Argentina. (Her father immigrated to Argentina before the War to practice his craft of being a tailor.)

Enjoy your Smith's and if you ever make it to Kentucky or Southern Indiana please pm me and I will give you directions to my gun shop and you can come "sit a spell" as we say....

Roberter,

I think the 357 magnum in a 4" barrel the s&w m28 or m27 will serve you well. But once you shoot it you may want a 6" barrel too. The good part is your shooting the same sized frame revolver in 44 mag. I find it easier to be as accurate between the different calibers when there the same size frame.

The colt python is a nice revolver too but I think it's over rated and priced too high.

Question????

Have you seen the Swiss made Astra 1911 pistol yet. I understand the Astra guns are very popular in Europe. The Astra 1911 is all forged steel and not cheap price wise. We don't hear too much about the Astra 1911 here.

Did you know that more American Italians fought in WW 2 than any other nationality?

If your ever in the northeast email me. We will do some shootin.

Roberter, welcome to the forum from Massachusetts, the home of Smith and Wesson. You probably won't make it this far east but I too would like to extend an offer to ride harleys and go to the range to shoot.

I own a pre model 28 with a 6" barrel and would recommend that barrel length. I like the longer barrels for target work, especially since my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. The 4" IMHO is better for personal carry and drawing if necessary.

Good luck in your quest.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I agree with people suggesting me 6" barrel lenght for target shooting is the best choice. As I'm also a reloader I tried 3.0 grs 231 Winchester powder under 148 LWCHB Hornady bullet:high accuracy at 25 mt indeed! Generally I use 23,0 grs 296 Winchester under 240 JSP bullet in 29 model and light charges of K38 amaze me for their accuracy.

Hi guys! May I ask you a question? Which of these two models were more widely used by police departments in U.S.: model 19 or model 28? I suppose model 19 in 4" was, but I'm not sure...however I'm more and more involved with 28 model in 6"...: D!!

p.s. Does somebody think model 27/28 are stronger than Ruger GP 100 or not?