Recent content by dinghysailer

My understanding is that the two screw grips on the 22/32 were often not marked with the serial number.

#225xxx shipped in the summer of 1915. Note that S&W didn't always ship in numerical order, but early 1915 would be a good guess. Allan

The B on the underside of the barrel near the serial number does not indicate a reblue. My understanding is that is an indication that the gun was blue when it was manufactured.

I'm not an expert by any means, and the pictures are not great, but the nickle job appears to be in very good shape in comparison to the wear and tear on the grips, and lack of color on the hammer and trigger. I'm leaning towards refinish. It's also possible that during the war they stopped...

Your picture isn't showing up to those of us who aren't logged in to Yahoo. the spelling of the word is cartouche, but I think what you are talking about are called medallions around here. Round "gold" ones from about 1910-1920, and "silver" ones from 1930 on. Allan

Without pictures and or a partial serial number we are all in the dark. There is no differentiation between models that will tolerate +P ammo. Even the Heavy Duties, precurser to the .357 Magnum, were marked 38 S&W SPL CTG. The only way to know about +P is to be sure about the date of the...

Jules Francois Bekeart doesn't strike me as a typical English name. French? Belgian? There is probably some interesting history there, possibly all tied up with the French Revolution and the the Napoleonic Wars etc. Anybody know? My 22/32 HFT from 1915 refuses to talk. Allan

The numbers on the yoke are assembly numbers, used to match the yoke with the frame after fitting and blueing. They are essentially meaningless once the weapon has left the factory. After 1957, when model numbers were introduced, that's where the model number was stamped, as in 'MOD 10'. Allan

I have a very early 1905 4th change with the patent dates on the side of the barrel. My understanding was that the stamp was on the top for the 6" barrels, and was moved to side on the 4" barrels, as the front sight was in the way. Allan

The one on the bottom looks a little off. I would have thought with gold medallions it would still have the big button on the ejector, and a more retro front sight. My guess is the grips are not original, and that it is late 20s or early 30s. Serial #?

For reference #2428xx shipped on August 16, 1915. Keep in mind that S&W did not ship in numerical order, so its only a rough guide to date. It looks just like yours except for front sight and barrel length.

I have two revolvers with the 'gold' medallions. My impression is that they were 'gold washed' which is a very thin layer of gold plate. This gold wash is soft, and easily rubbed off, exposing the brass underneath. Once the brass is exposed, it will tarnish, and respond to brass polish. The...

And no-one has said how lucky he is that it wasn't refinished?

I agree, those are S&W grips from about 1910-1920. They were marked in pencil on the right grip with the serial number of the revolver they came with (assuming they we not replacements). Usually well on worn grips like these the pencil marks are totally illegible, but it's worth a look, with a...

The only woodchucks endangered around these parts are the ones in my yard.