I picked up a S&W 64-1

*The serial: 1D131
*Stamped on the LEFT side frame: WSPD 555
*It is: SS, a 4" barrel, marked 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG

The number inside the crane `6872 and another series of double stamped letters matches the numbers/letters stamped on the fame location.

I am thinking this is not messed with other than the trigger is super lite, which was probably lightened up a bit.

I did a check on google and ran WSPD; I came up with Winston Salem Police Department. I think it is in North Carolina. They said if I recall, they have 594 positions. I wonder if the 555 was a badge number? I was told it was.

I did run the Serial number `1D131 and the crane number on the stolen guns list and came back negative. So this is not a stolen gun.

I have spent better than 2 hours reading old posts on the 64-1 listed here. In the 36 plus pages I went through I found only 1 ref to a 1D6 and another 1D1 111 and a 1D 2xx. The question I have is:

What was the earliest serial of the 1D serials for the 64-1, guessing 1? If 1D was the start of the serial, then is #131 produced on day 1 or 2 or 3; depending how many guns were produced each day?

Was #131 a prototype of the 64-1 series? At what number did the prototypes stop?

I am trying to understand what the heck I just purchased. I thought the serial 131 seemed low if you consider 1D as a starting point. I had not read any of the forum information prior to the purchase of the pistol. I was impressed to purchase it as it was a "PD" marked gun stamped and the trigger pull in SA was almost like 1-3 lbs. Very very light pull.

Hi

Where to start? I guess by telling you that you are trying to put too much significance on the "low" serial number.

The Model 64-1 was the heavy barrel version of the Model 64, and it was first produced in 1972, which was two years after the tapered barrel version was introduced. The two were made side-by-side until 1977.

When the 64-1 came out, the serials used were in the D sequence. They did not switch over to the 1D numbers until 1976. That would be the year your example was assembled. So, no, it is nowhere near being a "prototype."

What is interesting about that latter issue ("prototype") is that the original production run of the Model 64-1 was for a special order fulfillment on behalf of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. These units were chambered for the .357 Magnum. Later, this variant became the Model 65. Subsequent runs of the Model 64-1 were chambered for the .38 Special, providing alternative barrel weights for Model 64 purchasers.

You bought a heavy barrel stainless steel .38 Military & Police revolver, made in 1976. Basically, it is exactly the same model as a Model 10-6, except the latter was made of carbon steel.

Your particular example spent time as a duty gun with a law enforcement agency - perhaps, as you suggest, one in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (I cannot help you confirm that ID, but it sounds like as good a guess as any.)

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

For what it’s worth I love mine and shoot it frequently with the target stocks.

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Pass it on.
Mark

I carried one for many years, they are great shooters. My serial number was 1D29XX. Issued to me in late 1977 if I recall correctly.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

Thank you for responding. After I had read all of the 36 pages of the ones relating to the 64-1, [there were other pages I did not get to], I was guessing it was just that early in the process of the 1D series. I had no thoughts that it was a prototype unless the #131 fell there, but I had doubts. I did not find much on the net for 1D serial numbering of S&W 64-1 pistols. As I said I bought it because it was marked "PD" and had a lite trigger. The stainless is fantastic in my opinion. I prefer it over blue is many cases. I read a guy who posted in here something like...."once you take off those Good Year grips..." Well yes mine has those "Good Year" rubber Pachmayr grips. I don't find those bad at all. I have something similar on my "Security Six" in SS that has a 4" barrel and is in 357. I did not know if the 64-1 were common? I see a lot posted in here for the -2, -3, -4, -5, -6 and so on....but not a lot about the -1. I do not know how many were produced. Since I was unable to locate info on the net, I came back here and asked....logical stuff. 1976 was a good year. I stood in line to see the freedom train that was in our area. There was a huge cloud burst that flooded the entire grassy lot where we parked. I was in ankle deep water on flat land and stood up sleeping. I had never stood up sleeping before. 1976 was a good year!

Side note:

I dug out both, 38 special and 357 ammo. I put both in the cylinder. The 38 special case fit flat against the cylinder face. The 357 stood off the cylinder face about 1/8 or so inch. The pistol had not been reamed out. Just a typical duty pistol. My father was a Special Deputy with the Sheriff Department in the county and ran with the City Police Department. His duty pistol was a 38 special S&W. We have yet to find it or his duty belt in the house. He is 84 in a nursing home. We have been looking for over 3 years. I am not sure he did not sell it. Knowing him, it is stashed in a secret hiding place. The hunt is still on.....!