Looking for any and all information I can gather on this piece.
It was found hidden at a property I purchased years ago.
So it hasn't been touched for a very long time.
I've already confused myself by looking at S&W website
I spent more than enough time reading up on the model 17 masterpiece only to discover more markings that lead me to understand I should just ask for some help.

Ultimately, my curiosity is anchored in its value because i have no use for a small caliber.
I dont know if this is in "good condition"is it as old as I think? Half a century?..
What is the brown stuff I cant just rub off?
Is this a common find? Or uncommon enough I should be ecstatic?
I was offered 250 for it, but couldn't let it go without knowing that it was a fair offer.
Please, anything helps. I've uploaded some pics of markings j found and I covered part of the one on the grip because I had seen another gentleman do it in his picture.. 🤷‍♂️
Do I need to register it? Are these wood grips common or even in good shape? I didnt see any wood grips or even silver revolvers on SW website.. 🙄 but hey I'm at a loss here.
Any info would be very much appreciated.
Thanks guys.

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$250 is a low ball price for a M63. A local shop has one listed at $825. The stocks look original but if you remove the there should be a number stamped on inside of the right side panel. They are desirable guns.
As far as registration you don’t list your location so you would have to check your local/state laws.
Hard to believe someone left that beauty behind. The brown stuff may just be dried oil. Hit it with so Hoppe’s or whatever cleaner you have an see if dissolves it.
I don’t know if your local PD would run the numbers to see if it was reported lost/stolen.
BTW; everybody needs at least one kit gun.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Looks to me to be a Model 63 in excellent shape. If I didn't already have one, I'd offer you $500 for yours on the spot and I'd still be screwing you. That is a very desirable gun. The serial number from what I can see indicates an early gun. Mine was purchased in 1982 and has one starting with M147. Yours is probably one of the first made in 1977-78. Note the pin locking in the barrel. The brown stuff is likely dried oil or some such and should come off with some judicious use of Hoppe's and a bronze brush. NICE find!!! AND a nice way to introduce yourself to the forum!!

A lack of carbon rigs around the face of the cylinder would indicate that this revolver has not been fired much-if at all. One caveat-if this was a found gun in a home you purchased, you may wish to discreetly inquire from a law enforcement agency you can trust not to "confiscate it for safe keeping" to ruin the serial number to make sure it has not been reported as stolen from the owner who lost it

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Forum consigliere

Stainless steel Model 63, manufactured between 1978 -1979 based on M12312X serial number. Checking Gun Broker for active auctions suggests $650 to $800 as a value range.

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S&WHF 366

Whether it should be registered or not could depend on where you live, but you've left that a mystery.

Yep, model 63 no dash model 22lr. First produce in 1977. The dash 1 came out in 1982. Around these parts 650 to 750 would be the asking price.
That "Brown stuff" may just be dried oil. Face of the cylinder is clean, perhaps unfired?
Did you find the box?


And Welcome to the forum.

That variant of that model was produced 1977 to 1998. It must have been found hidden out of the weather to be in that condition.

One option is to check with the Sheriff's Department or other LE agency with jurisdiction over the location found. It might possibly be stolen or have been used in a crime.

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LEX ET ORDO

Welcome aboard and nice find!

The revolver is called the Stainless .22/32 Kit Gun. It's obviously made of stainless steel, fires the common and inexpensive.22 Long Rifle cartridge and is excellent for training, range use and plinking. Called a "kit gun" because it's compact and handy to have in a field kit or or tackle box. It's built on the square butt J frame.

Most States do not have handgun registration. Some do and it's a crime not to register a handgun in a State that requires it, so you should check you local laws. If you tell us where you're located (approximately), someone here can certainly help.

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"I also cook."

my adopted son is a certified peace officer in texas. i asked about running a serial for the usual reasons. he said "of course". then told me that if it was on the "hot" sheet that he would have to take possession of said weapon and that the can of worms it would open up wouldn't be something you would want to be involved in. just saying. krs

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Too good

Legally anything you find abandoned in a property you buy is yours. If it were me with my damned sense of justice if I could contact the previous owners I would and tell them I found a gun and if you can ID it I'll return. Otherwise, I would go on the assumption it's not stolen until proven differently.

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No life story has happy end.

What is the barrel length? Looks to be 4", but I'm used to seeing the larger K-frame. Could it be a 5" barrel? Measure from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle. The Standard Catalog says 5" barrel known to exist and would bring a premium, and a VG condition M63 is worth at least $400, excellent is closer to $525.

Others have given you good information, but I just had to comment on this.

No, it wasn't even close to a "fair offer."

Someone I know quite well bought one a couple years ago at a gun show. It was in perfect condition, with the original box and all original accessories. He paid $525, which I considered to be about $200-$300 too low. The Stainless Kit Guns are great handguns and very desirable, especially the early examples with the pinned barrel. $250 would buy you a modified BSR, but the Model 63 is worth a lot more than one of those!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I would make sure the gun was not stolen before I did anything with it. Being that it was found hidden would make me very suspicious. You don't want to get into trouble by selling a stolen gun. It may come back clean after a NICS check because most people don't record their serial numbers. It may show it to be stolen also and if that were the case I wouldn't want to sell it to someone who could have problems for possessing a stolen firearm. Call your local law enforcement, tell them what you have and how you got it, and ask them to check the serial numbers.

As far a price goes---I paid $600 for this one 6 months ago and I thought I did real well on the price. No box, papers, holster, or anything else was included.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

look it up on HotGunz Stolen Gun Database.

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ask questions- then shoot!

Magic shrinking bullets?????

Was wondering how long it would take someone to catch that photo error.
Look better? Guess I should have dug out some Stingers for the bright nickel shine.

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"Tastes just like chicken"

My "guess" is that the original owner hid the model 63 and passed away without family members knowing about it. No way of telling what local PD will do if you tell them the story, "guessing" again the PD could confiscate it stolen or not and hold on to it till the dead owner shows up to claim it.

aj.... Stingers would be nice! The nickel hollow-points do make for a better pic....

Guess it's to late to tell the OP ...... "If you still own the building... put it back where you found it..... but don't forget where you put it!" Knowing where to find a Ghost gun may come in handy someday!

Just kidding...... .... currently reading the latest Jason Bourne novel!!!!!

First thing I'd do would be to scratch off the name of the guy who offered you $250 from the list of your friends.

The OP has nothing in this revolver. The $250 would be pure profit. If the purchaser opts to sell, he also makes money. Or, if he sells and it is found to be on the hot sheet, he takes the fall. Could he go higher? Sure. But it is a business transaction.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Wow, .. that is pretty cool guys. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to educate me on this piece.
I agree, 250 is a lowball offer! But It never even crossed my mind that it could have been used in a crime? Or stolen? I imagine that is what you are calling the "hotsheet"?
I find myself looking around my living as I read this crazy news, like i didnt consider that i could get in hot water over this if it is in fact connected with crime of some nature.
So in that case, I also hear you STRAWHAT, 250?.. but the cost of the unknown is expensive when it is regarding your life.
The offer came from a gentleman that I wouldn't consider a master @ arms.. he would have been just as surprised as I am now with its value, age condition and the "unknown" aspect you guys shed light on.
it was found in a drop compartment under the desk in the office of the property, so yes it was hidden from us. And hidden from,.. well anyone sitting at the desk. I suppose the hidden location makes me feel more comfortable than not; solely based on my assumption that it was a planned location and a pretty unique drop style drawer.
I know a guy who is a local FFL but I havent thought about asking him.. can he run the numbers?
And if it's got negative JUJU...
Well I would ask what you would do with it, but I expect I might split this post into a see debate which I dont find necessary.
So I'll cross that road when I get to it, but after reading all the info you guys have me. It sounds like I am most definitely crossing that road.

Damn man, that is a slick picture! That is the exact same model?
Okay, so it's not a super uncommon firearm. But due to the condition, then manufacturer and its early age.. i think i understanding that is where the value comes from. Got it.
Man this is exciting, I'll keep you guys updated.
Thanks again fellas.

And thank you yes I created a account today. Just to pick the right brains instead of confuse mine. A warm welcome indeed.

Welcome to the forum, BLK! Nice find! Congratulations!

You still haven't given a clue as to your location, but that's ok too.

I doubt the gun was stolen it probably was just put there for safe keeping and forgotten.

Keep it, shoot it, and enjoy it.

WR

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God, Country, Family

Just to give the friend the benefit of the doubt, it is possible the guy that offered $250 and is not an enthusiast and saw that his buddy found "an old .22" and thought it was a fair offer for "an old .22."

Hell you can buy some brand new .22s for less than $250!

I agree the the condition of the gun in general, and lack of powder fouling on the cylinder face, makes me think it's unfired.

Was it loaded when you found it? It's a fine looking revolver that any of us would love to have. Shoot it and enjoy it as it was meant to be............and welcome from Ky!

I hope you reconsider. That's a nice .22 revolver!
They are fun to shoot and you can plink all day for not much money.

No way would I sell it.

I wouldn't sell it, either.

Here's an interesting concept.

If it was stolen then the law requires that the gun be returned to the rightful owner because title cannot pass on stolen property. So check that hotgun database. I don't think the local police will do that for you unless you have a friend who is local law enforcement.

However, the chances are it was abandoned (forgotten = abandoned). Abandoned property belongs to the finder thereof. So you probably are the proud owner of a vintage Model 63 that you can enjoy for the rest of your life.

Registration is a sticky wicket. If you live in a registration jurisdiction like NY or NJ, or I guess CA, maybe Chicago if not all of IL, and some other places, you must register it or you're committing a crime by possessing it. The funny thing is, if you register it, the police will almost certainly run the serial number so you WILL find out if it's stolen or not.

Good luck! Don't sell it unless you are NOT a shooter!

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Come and take it!!

Most likely, it is not stolen. It is obviously an early model 4” 63. If it was stolen and an insurance claim was filed and paid, then the previous owner has no right to the gun - the insurance company owns it. Get your relative or a LEO to run a check on the gun and you should be good to go.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

In Texas that choice is not available...A private citizen cannot initiate such a check, and even a police officer needs a reportable reason to access NCIC or TCIC...With the number of guns changing hands every day, it would take an entirely new layer of government to comply with that number of checks, and I don't think any of us wants that additional layer of governance further complicating our lives...Accepting the word of a seller that no crime is known to him/her regarding any particular gun seems to be best...

That leap of faith includes accepting the responsibility of even a misinformed decision......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Doesn't sound like you found the Model 63 in a crack house and it isn't your typical Saturday night special used to holdup the local liquor store. I'd clean it, shoot it and keep my mouth shut.

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

He can't "run the numbers," but that's the route I'd go.

I'd write down the model number and serial number and ask him if he could check with a local LEO friend of his (I'm sure he has several).

I wouldn't be overly informative.

The probability it's a "hot" gun is likely low, which means you own a very nice, very desirable plinker.

All the best with your decision.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Keep it, shoot it and enjoy it. Once you shoot it you just might get hooked plinking all day long.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I ran the serial number(s) in the HotGunz database and it does not show up as stolen. Nice find! My M63 is a fun gun.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

You are not in jeopardy unless the gun has been reported as stolen. As in the above post, it appears that it is not.

If it is retained in your possession and you knew it to be stolen that is different!

For practical purposes you bought the property and ""all that was therein"!

It is unlikely that you will have to prove ownership at the time of sale.

In my neighborhood people would be fighting over this at around $700!

Smiles,

If I were in your shoes, I would take the gun to the local police/sheriff department and turn it in as found property. The department will draw a case number for found property and a brief report will be written. Additionally, a check of the serial number in the appropriate data base will be made. After the prescribed time, if no one claims the property, you will be entitled to it and it becomes yours.

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FBINA, 204th Session

Before I retired from law enforcement the folks in my area knew I would run a serial number through National Crime Information Center to check to see if a gun was stolen. I had two rules. One, I had to have the gun in my hand when I ran the number, and two, if it was stolen you didn't get it back. I ran quite a few over the years. Most were not stolen, a lot were. The stolen guns went into the evidence locker while I tried to trace them back to the thief. Some of them I caught, most I didn't as the investigation very often came to a dead end. I recovered a lot of stolen guns and returned them to the original owners. Some had been stolen for over 20 years. I had only one I couldn't get back to the victim and that was because they had died. The next of kin did not want the gun and I had her send a letter giving it to me. I removed this gun from NCIC and returned it to the person who brought it to me to be checked. Most of these guns had been stolen in house burglaries, gun stores, or vehicles. I did not run into a single person who did not remember their stolen gun. Finding a stolen gun very often would lead to the recovery of other stolen guns and other crimes. I did not charge a single person who brought me a stolen gun with a crime as I felt they were trying to do the right thing.

Hotgunz data base is not as complete as NCIC.

Illinois does not require any firearm registration (statewide), unless some particular area such as Chicago requires it. However Illinois does have a requirement that all who posses a firearm must have a Firearms Owners ID, which requires an application. No individual firearms are identified on or in conjunction with that "FOID", it only registers the individual as authorized to possess forearms.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

This is the example to follow. If your keep the gun and it's been stolen, you elongate the chain of illicit custody. Best to clear it up now while a rightful owner is more likely to exist. Worst case is you sell the M-63 and it is discovered as stolen down the line. Now the chain of custody and loss claim can come back to you. Get it cleared as your property and enjoy it.