How to spot a C&R S&W?

[majspud]

Hello Folks. New member here. I'm Strictly a C&R collector, with an historical collection from 1812-1945. I currently have two S/W: a 5/1918 M17 DA .45acp reparked veteran of both World Wars, and a Victory Revolver sent to Mare Island, CA, on 7/9/1943.

I carried a S/W 66 when I was a Refuge officer for the Fish and Wildlife Service 25 years ago and have a soft spot for them. I have also owned two 19-3 Combat Magnums.

I am looking for a C/R snub nose in .38 special, and found this one with SN C7174X. (1) Is it a C/R, and (2) how would I be able to know in the future?

Tim

 

[majspud]

Looks like Kevin1979's post answers my question; C- is 1961.

T

 

[Richard Simmons]

As I understand it anything older than 50 years or actually listed on the ATF list qualifies but you need a factory letter showing ship date as a firearm may fall into a serial number range that puts it at 50+ but it may have actually shipped years later. The date it leaves the factory is the birth date according to ATF or so I've read.

 

[H Richard]

Yes, 50 years since being shipped from the factory will make it a C&R qualified. Trying to determine the dates isn't always easy. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson can be of a great help. Often you might have to get a letter. I recently obtained a S&W Mod. 39 but which shipped in 1964, so it is a C&R eligible and it did ship directly to my house.

 

[cgt4570]

It's easy if it's a 5-screw gun or a pre-model number gun. They are all more than 50 years old now. If you are a member of the S&W collector's association, you can ask Roy when it shipped. Otherwise you can come pretty close (beyond a reasonable doubt?) by using the SCSW 3 or 4 edition for the early model number dashes.

 

[les.b]

Well, that sure looks a lot like mine, which is Serial C546XX, and shipped in 1949:



Yours is a little newer, but since mine is 67 years old, I would be pretty sure that yours would be at least 50!!!

I don't know how accurate your photo is, but it looks like a bit is missing off of the hammer spur.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Absalom]

Looks like Kevin1979's post answers my question; C- is 1961.

T

Nope. A K-frame snubbie with the serial C-7174x would actually be from mid-1949, so I think you're well clear on the C&R.

PS: Like Les said ...

 

[glowe]

While this reply does not address all C&R Smith & Wesson revolvers, it is foolproof for most. An easy way to tell if you are seeing a C&R is to look for guns with a half-moon front sight. Only exception is that target models have target style front sights. Second, open the cylinder and look for a model ID stamp on the frame. If there is no. Model number, the S&W you are looking at is at least 58 years old. Lastly, if a gun has a 4 line address on the right side of the frame under the cylinder, it is made 1948 or later. Early examples have no stamping, while guns from 1921 to 1948 have a single line MADE IN USA. Hope this helps some.

 

[les.b]

Sorry, I forgot my manners!!!

Welcome to the forum!!! From West Virginia!!

As you can already see, there are a bunch of friendly folks ready to help each other out whenever they can.

Best Regards, Les

 

[merl67]

The only kicker to the whole C&R licence is that not all gun dealers will recognize them. I also had a guy refuse to sell me Trapdoor Springfield as a antique because it fired ammunition that was still available (45-70). Something to keep in mind.

 

[TTSH]

Well, that sure looks a lot like mine, which is Serial C546XX, and shipped in 1949.

Nope. A K-frame snubbie with the serial C-7174x would actually be from mid-1949, so I think you're well clear on the C&R.

PS: Like Les said ...

Correct and correct... ... same as I answered the OP in his other thread around noon.

 

[majspud]

Thanks for all the help. Yes, it looks like a little of the hammer spur is missing. Cut to avoid catching on clothes?

Dealer wants $695 - too much?

T

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Yes $695 is too much.

 

[DocB]

Yup, what Merl said. I've had dealers log in "antique" guns just to be on the safe side with ATF. Rather stupid and a real pain when you have to fill out all the paperwork on a gun that shipped in 1880.

 

[Kenny D]

Yes $695 is a little high for my neighborhood, central SC, but snubbies are hard to find around here. Usually asking $450 to $575 as to condition. They seem to sell real fast as I have been looking for one with no luck so far.

 

[DWalt]

SN C7174X would indeed have likely shipped around August 1949, so it is indisputable it was manufactured over 50 years ago and is therefore a C&R. And I also agree $695 is far too rich a price for me to have any interest in it.

 

[majspud]

OK, here's another one I found. Half moon front sight, check. One line address on side, check. So Pre-48? There was no picture of the inside of the crane. Matched serial number 969486 on butt, under barrel, cylinder, and grips.

T

 

[Engine49guy]

That one has the older style "Long action" and one line MADE IN USA frame address, probably a 1946 gun IMO.

PS we Smith Nuts use the term "Yoke" instead of crane

Looks like a nice gun

PS, the serial on that one would begin with the letter "S"

 

[majspud]

Unless its inside the Yoke, there is no "S". Asking $695.

T

 

[Göring's S&W]

The letter prefix on the butt is often substantially to the left of the numerals...

If the picture of the K frame snubnose in post #1 is the same gun in your last post, #19, the hammer spur has either broken off, or has been altered. If the hammer is original to the gun, a letter is certainly missing from the serial number, since the hammer is a short action hammer which indicates post war production for this model.