Model 43 Manufacturing Date & Features Code Questions

weaponscollector · #1 06-23-2016, 02:53 PM

While photographing my late fathers collection, I've managed to bring a Model 43 back together with its original grips and box. Now I'm curious about when this revolver dates to, and what the "Special Features" code on the box means. Can you help educate me?

Mode: 43
S/N 63318 (edit, should read M63318)
Special Features: X-74-1257

ImprovedModel56Fan · #2 06-23-2016, 03:01 PM

Others may step in and give a much better answer, but my experience has been that the LGS owner often uses that label to make his own notes, often the number and page of his "bound book." I note that the ink is different from the rest of the label, leading me to believe that that notation was not made at S&W.

I also note some other strange things about that label. It looks like the serial number of the gun pictured was added later, while the original serial number, M79418, fits the year 1974, which happens to correspond to the year of the dealer's book, if that's what his (?) notation is suggesting.

Others more knowedgeable about labels may have comments to add.

P.S. 63318 was probably made in 1959 or 1960.

weaponscollector · #3 06-23-2016, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model520Fan

Others may step in and give a much better answer, but my experience has been that the LGS owner often uses that label to make his own notes, often the number and page of his "bound book." I note that the ink is different from the rest of the label, leading me to believe that that notation was not made at S&W.

Thanks, that is useful info and a good point about the ink color.

Muley Gil · #4 06-23-2016, 05:21 PM

"P.S. 63318 was probably made in 1959 or 1960."

M63318 was probably from 1973-74.

63318 would be from 1959 or 1960, but would have a flat cylinder release and diamond grips.

weaponscollector · #5 06-23-2016, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

"P.S. 63318 was probably made in 1959 or 1960."

M63318 was probably from 1973-74.

63318 would be from 1959 or 1960, but would have a flat cylinder release and diamond grips.

Thanks Muley Gil, I should have included the "M" prefix in my post. Guess that dates this revolver too late for this forum.

weaponscollector · #6 06-23-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model520Fan

I also note some other strange things about that label. It looks like the serial number of the gun pictured was added later, while the original serial number, M79418, fits the year 1974, which happens to correspond to the year of the dealer's book, if that's what his (?) notation is suggesting.
.

Thanks again Model520Fan. It turns out that is an "M" prefix and the serial number on the box and frame reads M63318, but on the wooden grips it just reads 63318.

Hondo44 · #7 06-23-2016, 10:16 PM

Dana,

The stocks usually did not have the letter digit serial prefix but sometimes does.

I believe the box and serial # had been switched; likely before the dealer got this revolver probably as a used gun.

weaponscollector · #8 06-24-2016, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Dana,
I believe the box and serial # had been switched; likely before the dealer got this revolver probably as a used gun.

I am not sure I understand Jim (AKA Hondo44). Do you think the label on the box was a replacement, or that the serial number on the label was replaced? The label looks original to me, and there is no indication of another S/N underneath the visible one.

Hondo44 · #9 06-24-2016, 02:48 PM

There's two serial #s written on the box label which looks like the original label. The serial # matching your gun appears to have been added.
The original serial # M79418 to the left is from the gun that originally came in that box, (notice the M in the INS box for inspector, matches the M in M79418). So the box doesn't appear to be original to your gun.

The box may have been accidently switched by the original gun shop with another Model 43 when both guns were new in the store. Retailers didn't always pay a lot of attention to matching the box to the gun. They sometimes just grabbed a box for the right model to give the customer with the gun without checking the serial #.

weaponscollector · #10 06-24-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

There's two serial #s written on the box label which looks like the original label. The serial # matching your gun appears to have been added.
The original serial # M79418 to the left is from the gun that originally came in that box, (notice the M in the INS box for inspector, matches the M in M79418). So the box doesn't appear to be original to your gun.

The box may have been accidently switched by the original gun shop with another Model 43 when both guns were new in the store. Retailers didn't always pay a lot of attention to matching the box to the gun. They sometimes just grabbed a box for the right model to give the customer with the gun without checking the serial #.

It maybe hard to see in the photo, but there are actually three boxes. The one on the left is marked SER NO. and contains M63318. The second box contains M79, and the third 418. Is there usually no number at all in the first box? Is the serial number normally split in to two parts M79 then 418? I really don't know because I haven't handled that many boxes.

Hondo44 · #11 06-24-2016, 03:27 PM

The three boxes are used like commas to make the serial # easier to read. For examples:

a 7 digit number will have 1 digit in the 1st box on the left and 3 digits in each of the other two boxes like J,123,456

a 6 digit # will have no digits in the left box and 3 in the other two boxes like M79,418 (which is correctly entered),

a 4 digit # will have no digits in left box, one in middle box and 3 in right box like 5,678,

a 3 digit # will have all 3 digits only in the far right box, etc.

weaponscollector · #12 06-24-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

The three boxes are used like commas to make the serial # easier to read. For examples:

a 7 digit number will have 1 digit in the 1st box on the left and 3 digits in each of the other two boxes like J,123,456

a 6 digit # will have no digits in the left box and 3 in the other two boxes like M79,418 (which is correctly entered),

a 4 digit # will have no digits in left box, one in middle box and 3 in right box like 5,678,

a 3 digit # will have all 3 digits only in the far right box, etc.

Thanks so much Jim. It is not what I wanted to hear, but it is useful information. I'll remove the word original from the description of the box in the ad I am working on.