A friend has what I think is a model 49 or a pre model 49, serial J417372.

I need the year of mfg. and the real model # if possible.

Thanks in advance,

Leon

I did some snooping and here is what I found. Your posted serial number places the DOM in 1976-1977. 1976 started with J370001 and 1977 ended with J610000.

So far haven't been able to pin it down any further than that. That serial number range was used with models 36,37,38,49,50

Your info doesn't permit any more than what Housepuss has gotten from the SCSW. With the J-prefix, it's a J-frame. It's definitely not a Pre-anything, since model numbers started in 1957. Any further identification depends on hammer configuration and frame material. Your friend could also just open the cylinder and read the model number off the frame in the yoke cut-out.

No such animal. Production started in 1959. Two years after model numbers appeared. Info courtesy of SCSW. However, it could be a model 38. Check the frame with a magnet. Their production started in 1955, but the serial number is out of range for the early model 38's. Who knows? I sure don't.

My friend says it is poorly stamped and he can't make it out.

sodacan has it right. There was never a production "pre-Model 49." The Bodyguard was an odd duck. Unlike other S&W models, the Bodyguard was made as an alloy gun first, and existed in the days before model numbers were used. In 1957, it was assigned the Model 38 designation. It wasn't until 1959 that a steel frame version was made and those were immediately given the Model 49 designation.

By the time your example was made, both versions had model numbers.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Perhaps a magnifying glass? To stamp a model # so poorly that one can't tell if the first two numbers are a 49 or a 38 would nearly have to be intentional.

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BCCI Life Member #2068