Can someone with the knowledge base help identify years for me?

[George Tirebiter]

I was lucky enough to come into four S&W revolvers and I'm trying to learn more about what I got. I'm not an expert or anything close on revolvers. Can you help me identify year of Manufacture?

First up is a model 63 with a 4" barrel serial # M146XXX

Next is a Model 15-2 4" barrel ser# K627XXX

and the final two are model 36-1 3" barrel Serial #'s 762xxx and J39xxx

I'm sure I have made a hash out of the picture uploads. Sorry and thanks for any help.

 

[thadheth]

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition, the approximate ship dates are (actual manufacturing dates could be different):
Model 63 1980-81
Model 15-2, 1965
Model 36 762XXX 1968-69
Model 36 J39XXX 1969-70
That's a nice group of revolvers.... welcome to the Forum.

 

[George Tirebiter]

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition, the approximate ship dates are (actual manufacturing dates could be different):
Model 63 1980-81
Model 15-2, 1965
Model 36 762XXX 1968-69
Model 36 J39XXX 1969-70
That's a nice group of revolvers.... welcome to the Forum.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[JP@AK]

I agree with the dates given above.

I also agree all four are nice revolvers.

I'm sure you are aware that only the Model 15-2 Combat Masterpiece is wearing factory original stocks. The others are fine, but did not leave the factory with those guns.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from Wyoming!

Well I'm not sure about "hash" but I do think the photos don't follow the same order as your descriptions. The 63 is first up, that's easy.

I believe photo 4 is your 15 with TT and TH (nice!), but those middle two are 36-1s? They do appear to be 3" J-frame .38s, but with target sights? Naw!

Okay, I see in the SC that the target models were marked 36-1 (and in the correct time period identified in thadheth's contribution), but I was not aware -- and The book doesn't say -- there were 3" versions of the chiefs target models. Do we have a toupee of frog's hair, here?

I'm sure somebody will be along to straighten me out.

 

[Muley Gil]

The M36-1 in photo # 3 is wearing factory target grips for a J frame. It is possible it shipped with them, but it most likely came with Magnas.

 

[hardcase60]

George,

Welcome to the forum. IMHO, looks like you drew four aces. Congratulations sir!!

 

[rwt1405]

Very nice, wish i could "come into" some nice revolvers like those!

 

[Sugar River]

The stocks on the 63 and the first 36 appear to be Herrett's. Very nice, and well north of $100 each if had them made today.

 

[George Tirebiter]

The stocks on the 63 and the first 36 appear to be Herrett's. Very nice, and well north of $100 each if had them made today.

Damn! You're good! How did you know they are Herrett's?

 

[Sugar River]

I own a few Herretts and the style is unmistakable.

 

[JP@AK]

I agree those two are probably Herrett's. The checkering on the one is unmistakably the late Steve Herrett's style, although these may have been made by his son. I should have noted this in my first post on this thread. I'm glad someone else brought it up.