Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-14-2018, 12:04 AM
Etalksalot's Avatar
Etalksalot Etalksalot is offline
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 756
Likes: 246
Liked 593 Times in 290 Posts
Default Smith & Wesson Model 33

Once again I have no idea if I'm in the correct category or not, but I'd imagine these were still made after 1961. I know a Model 32 is the J frame 38 S&W, but I was under the understanding that the 33 was a SB vweuon of the same gun. Is this correct? Also did they make a snub version? I've only seen 4 inch ones online. Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-14-2018, 02:55 AM
JP@AK's Avatar
JP@AK JP@AK is offline
US Veteran
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 5,114
Liked 18,984 Times in 6,864 Posts
Default

The Model 33 was the .38 Regulation Police and it came only with a 4" barrel and the square butt.

The Model 32 was the Terrier and it came with a nominal 2" barrel and a round butt.

Both the Model 32 and the Model 33 were I frame guns. Only in 1961 were they converted to the slightly larger J frame, and at that time they were re-designated the Model 32-1 and 33-1, respectively.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 06-14-2018, 06:20 AM
ColbyBruce ColbyBruce is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 3,767
Liked 11,624 Times in 3,642 Posts
Default

This is a 32-1 I gave to my granddaughter, thus the pink stocks.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg D36DFA53-2414-43CE-836D-8773097C417A.jpg (58.6 KB, 51 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 06-14-2018, 01:24 PM
Jim NNN Jim NNN is offline
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 798
Likes: 1,218
Liked 490 Times in 276 Posts
Default

My 33 is a four inch gun. Made in 1960, I think. Sorry if I'm not providing the info you need, but the typo "SB vweuon" is a bit hard to decipher. (Not being critical - I make typos, too.) The 32 was called the Terrier, I believe, and I understand that it was the short barrel version of the 33. Both guns are .38 S&W...won't fire Specials.

Last edited by Jim NNN; 06-14-2018 at 01:28 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-14-2018, 01:26 PM
Jim NNN Jim NNN is offline
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 798
Likes: 1,218
Liked 490 Times in 276 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColbyBruce View Post
This is a 32-1 I gave to my granddaughter, thus the pink stocks.
That is one lucky granddaughter! Nice gun.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-14-2018, 11:28 PM
Etalksalot's Avatar
Etalksalot Etalksalot is offline
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 756
Likes: 246
Liked 593 Times in 290 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim NNN View Post
My 33 is a four inch gun. Made in 1960, I think. Sorry if I'm not providing the info you need, but the typo "SB vweuon" is a bit hard to decipher. (Not being critical - I make typos, too.) The 32 was called the Terrier, I believe, and I understand that it was the short barrel version of the 33. Both guns are .38 S&W...won't fire Specials.
Haha, I think that was supposed to say SB version, but my autocorrect loves to play games with me. Thanks for the info,
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 06-14-2018, 11:29 PM
Etalksalot's Avatar
Etalksalot Etalksalot is offline
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 756
Likes: 246
Liked 593 Times in 290 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
The Model 33 was the .38 Regulation Police and it came only with a 4" barrel and the square butt.

The Model 32 was the Terrier and it came with a nominal 2" barrel and a round butt.

Both the Model 32 and the Model 33 were I frame guns. Only in 1961 were they converted to the slightly larger J frame, and at that time they were re-designated the Model 32-1 and 33-1, respectively.
Gotcha, that's what I was thinking from what I saw, but wasn't sure. Wish they made a SB snub. I'd like to get a J frame of each caliber over time, but I prefer SB and snub when applicable. Thanks for the info.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-17-2018, 02:35 AM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Etalksalot View Post
Gotcha, that's what I was thinking from what I saw, but wasn't sure. Wish they made a SB snub. I'd like to get a J frame of each caliber over time, but I prefer SB and snub when applicable. Thanks for the info.
They did!

JP@AK posted the correct info above. But as we all know with S&W; "Never say never or always."

There's a very few of what you want kicking around:





__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 06-17-2018, 12:37 PM
iskra iskra is offline
Member
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: 'Beachy' SoCal
Posts: 522
Likes: 12
Liked 761 Times in 280 Posts
Default

I'm a bit confusing here. S&W Standard Catalog, Fourth Ed @ p. 489, showing: "Early J Frame serial Range". Dating from 1950-69.
NO reference to "I" Frame in SN listing whatsoever that I can see. Seem to recall reading a misnomer, such reference to "I" frames which were actually early "J" frames in this era. My "baby Chief" .38 Special, such category.

Also the aside, apparent editorial oversight in the above referenced "J" frame listing. Year 1956 & corresponding SN range 75001 - 117769, gone missing. Such vintage my own Pre 33, SN 1013xx 'apparently' manufactured. Pix my gun below reflecting the standard 4" barrel length configuration.
Somewhat nomenclature impaired...
My take
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 89 - 4U.jpg (136.3 KB, 22 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 06-17-2018, 01:27 PM
JP@AK's Avatar
JP@AK JP@AK is offline
US Veteran
Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 5,114
Liked 18,984 Times in 6,864 Posts
Default

iskra
All Chiefs Specials were J frame guns. In fact, you could say the J frame was invented for them because the cylinder window had to be longer to accommodate a cylinder that would allow chambering the longer .38 Special vs. the .32 and .38 S&W cartridges.

Other small frame revolvers remained I frame guns until the early 1960s. The Bodyguard Airweight is an exception because it also chambered the .38 Special. It was basically a Chiefs Special with a shrouded hammer. Same for the Model 49 Bodyguard when it was introduced in 1959.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 06-17-2018, 06:14 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33 Smith & Wesson Model 33  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by iskra View Post
I'm a bit confusing here. S&W Standard Catalog, Fourth Ed @ p. 489, showing: "Early J Frame serial Range". Dating from 1950-69.
NO reference to "I" Frame in SN listing whatsoever that I can see. Seem to recall reading a misnomer, such reference to "I" frames which were actually early "J" frames in this era. My "baby Chief" .38 Special, such category.

Also the aside, apparent editorial oversight in the above referenced "J" frame listing. Year 1956 & corresponding SN range 75001 - 117769, gone missing. Such vintage my own Pre 33, SN 1013xx 'apparently' manufactured. Pix my gun below reflecting the standard 4" barrel length configuration.
Somewhat nomenclature impaired...
My take
No mistake in the SCSW. The listing on page 489 doesn't imply all J frames.

Yes, all Chiefs Specials are J frames including the Baby J.
Only J frame serial #s for models that 'began life' as J frames, #s 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 as shown, have serial #s listed on page 489. The serial #s for years not listed can be known by referring to the previous and following year Serial #s shown.

Your 38 S&W Reg Police J frame is listed by name & Model # 33 on page 487. There's no reference to I or J frame because serial#s for both frames are listed. Your # 1013XX is from post 1961 to pre 1967 based on its flat latch.

Hope that helps.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Last edited by Hondo44; 06-18-2018 at 12:20 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SOLD 1989 Smith & Wesson Model 36 Lady Smith with original case and box. ABC123 GUNS - For Sale or Trade 0 12-10-2017 08:11 PM
Smith and Wesson Model 430 32 Smith and Wesson Long Airweight HeyJoe S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 44 01-28-2017 10:37 AM
SOLD PENDING FUNDSSmith & Wesson Model 52-1. Smith Wesson model 41 Gordylew GUNS - For Sale or Trade 0 09-13-2013 08:17 AM
FS: Smith and Wesson 4506-1 (price reduction), Smith and Wesson 5946 **SOLD** jsg34 GUNS - For Sale or Trade 3 02-23-2012 01:28 AM
WTS/WTT Smith and Wesson Model 642LS (Lady Smith) rgoodpa1 GUNS - For Sale or Trade 0 07-23-2010 05:16 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:44 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)