Picked up (put on layaway) a 638-1 today. Wondering what year it dates to?
Serial is BFY1XXX.

Much thanks

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Bump

Perhaps pics would help?






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638-1



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Based on the Spec. Order Code “1014”

1 = 1991

014 = 14th day of the year

January 14, 1991

The visible price tag seems correct for a 638 but should have “Airweight” stenciled on the right side. These are alloy frame with stainless steel cylinder and barrel as is printed on the box.

The Model 649 is all stainless steel and lists at $769.

Does the serial number on the butt of the grip frame match the number on the box?

Can you take a photo of the model number stamped inside the yoke to resolve the question?

Thanks for the date info.
The gun is currently still at the shop sitting on layaway. But I can definitively say it is a 638-1. I looked at the stamp inside the crane yesterday, and I can assure you it said 638-1.

The price on the tag beneath it in the one picture is for another gun in the case below. The price I paid is substantially less than that.


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I do stand corrected though....

I found another photo of a 638-1 online and it, too, did not have “Airweight” stenciled on the side.

If I'm not mistaken, the 649 is 357/38.
This one is 38 SPL only.


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If I'm reading this correctly, only ~1200 of this particular version were made. Am I mistaken?



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It's very possible only 1,200 dash ones were made. They're certainly not seen very often, and 1989 was long before the current concealed carry craze, from a time when snubbies like the M638 were made in relatively small numbers.

If the OP paid a lot less than the $469.95 price shown in the photo (for a different gun) he got an excellent deal on a sought after pre-lock pre-MIM old style J-frame. With box, in excellent condition, I see them routinely sell for $500 plus.

Unlike the Centennial, which even today can be bought without the lock, all Bodyguards since about 2002 have had the lock because of the exposed hammer that can be cocked into single action. If you want a no-lock Bodyguard you have to buy vintage.

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