I just picked up at my local gunstore a M38 trade in. It was a great price so I snatched it up. I believe it is an older model. It states Airweight on the frame, it states .38 special ctg. I has factory S&W rubber grips, the firing pin is part of the hammer and it has a shrouded hammer. The serial number is 4538X, underneath that is stamped B11. (what does that mean) When was this revolver made?

(why doesn't S&W have a serial # lookup on it's web site as some other manufacturers do?)

Thank you

Between 1953-1955

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Two Handguns every day

Sounds like what you have is a Model 38: Bodyguard Airweight if there is a stub of the hammer visible in the shroud to allow cocking for a single action trigger pull. If there is no hammer visible, it may be a Model 42 Centennial Airweight. Why do you think it is an M85? Taurus makes an M85, but it doesn't have a shrouded hammer and wouldn't be marked Airweight.

Did you take the serial number from the bottom of the gun butt? That serial number would date the gun prior to 1957. At that time, it would have come from the factory with wooden stocks (grips), not rubber.

What you listed may be an assembly number, which is also probably what the B11 designation is. Assembly numbers were used to keep parts together, or rather bring them back together, when separated during the manufacturing process.

Post a picture and more information. There is a sticky in each section that tells you what data are needed.

Sorry, I didn't reread my post. M85 was typed incorrectly. It states MOD38. I guess someone switched the grips. But these are S&W rubber type grips with the S&W logo.

No barrel pin, so made after 1982. Remove the grips and look on the heel of the grip frame to see the true serial number.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

What year did they switch the j frame hammer taking the firing pin off of it? The one I bought has the firing pin on the hammer.

J989801 is the number on the bottom of the heel of the grip.

That's the real serial number. Probably ship in 1982 - 1983. That other number you gave in your initial post was inscribed on the yolk, wasn't it?

When you think about it the yolk would be a terrible place to put a serial number. Loosen one screw, the yolk comes off, and you could install it on any other gun of the same frame size. Not something you want with a serial number.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Consensus of opinion from previous posts on this forum is that firing pin went from the hammer to the frame on most models in 1997.

My Bodyguard is nickel plated, shipped in 1985-86, and is my favorite J frame.

My Model 38-3 made in 1997 has the firing pin in the frame.

So as some of you advised, mine was made around the mid 80's. As you can see from my photo mine has 30 yrs minor wear on it. As I do not see this a being highly collectable, what are your thoughts on having this refinished? I can have it down very reasonably priced.

If you want a pretty one, buy a pretty one. I'd keep this gun as it is. It very rarely makes financial sense to refinish a firearm. If you need to, sell this one to help pay for the nice one. You'll come out ahead.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~