Many first time posters are seeking information regarding a Smith & Wesson revolver, often older and inherited. The information below will assist you in getting the most out of the expertise available gratis on this forum.
Types of S&W Revolvers
For the purposes of this primer, there are essentially two styles of Smith & Wesson revolvers. There is the sort which has a cylinder that swings out to the side. This is known as the Hand Ejector type. The other has a barrel and cylinder assembly that pivots away from the frame. This is known as a Top Break type (inquiries about any Top Break should be posted in the S&W Antiques section).
Below is a photo of these two types, the Hand Ejector being above a Top Break.
Incidentally, for either type, barrel length is measured from the face (forward surface) of the cylinder to the muzzle.
Markings on S&W Revolvers
The key marking on any Smith & Wesson revolver is the serial number. This is located on the butt. If the gun has grips that enclose the butt, they will need to be (carefully) removed. Be sure to include any letter(s) there, as many S&W serial numbers are alphanumeric. Also, if there is a five pointed star on the butt, that would be good to know as well.
A marking such as ".38 S&W CTG" may be found on the barrel. This simply denotes the caliber for which the revolver is chambered. It's a common mistake to fail to recognize that "CTG" is merely an abbreviation of the word "cartridge" and not a model designation.
On a Hand Ejector type, there will likely be matching numbers on the yoke and in the frame recess exposed when the cylinder is swung out. These so-called "soft fitting" numbers were utilized solely for keeping components together during manufacture. They are subsequently of no significance and immaterial to dating or identifying the revolver. However, if the revolver was made after 1957, there will be a model marking in that frame recess, such as "MOD. 10" or "MOD. 27-2" which should be noted.
Atop the barrels of many older revolvers will be a list of patent dates. These generally need not be reported.
Posting Photos
This is essential to obtaining an accurate assessment of your gun's condition, originality, and (maybe) value as a collectible. Any photo is better than none at all. Nobody here is an art critic (so far as I know).
Probably the easiest way to do this is to use one of the free photo hosting websites. I like TinyPic but there are many others. You will receive an IMG code that can be copied and pasted into the body of your post. If you hit the "Quote" button at the bottom of this post, you'll be able to see what such a code looks like (in this case, the code for the photo above which was so hosted).
Alternatively, you can use the "Manage Attachments" tool incorporated into the forum's software. This permits uploading photos stored on your computer to be attached to your post as thumbnails which can then be expanded for viewing. However, it will probably be necessary to first reduce the file sizes to conform to the limits for this method. Most email programs furnish you with a means for accomplishing this.
Types of S&W Revolvers
For the purposes of this primer, there are essentially two styles of Smith & Wesson revolvers. There is the sort which has a cylinder that swings out to the side. This is known as the Hand Ejector type. The other has a barrel and cylinder assembly that pivots away from the frame. This is known as a Top Break type (inquiries about any Top Break should be posted in the S&W Antiques section).
Below is a photo of these two types, the Hand Ejector being above a Top Break.
Incidentally, for either type, barrel length is measured from the face (forward surface) of the cylinder to the muzzle.
Markings on S&W Revolvers
The key marking on any Smith & Wesson revolver is the serial number. This is located on the butt. If the gun has grips that enclose the butt, they will need to be (carefully) removed. Be sure to include any letter(s) there, as many S&W serial numbers are alphanumeric. Also, if there is a five pointed star on the butt, that would be good to know as well.
A marking such as ".38 S&W CTG" may be found on the barrel. This simply denotes the caliber for which the revolver is chambered. It's a common mistake to fail to recognize that "CTG" is merely an abbreviation of the word "cartridge" and not a model designation.
On a Hand Ejector type, there will likely be matching numbers on the yoke and in the frame recess exposed when the cylinder is swung out. These so-called "soft fitting" numbers were utilized solely for keeping components together during manufacture. They are subsequently of no significance and immaterial to dating or identifying the revolver. However, if the revolver was made after 1957, there will be a model marking in that frame recess, such as "MOD. 10" or "MOD. 27-2" which should be noted.
Atop the barrels of many older revolvers will be a list of patent dates. These generally need not be reported.
Posting Photos
This is essential to obtaining an accurate assessment of your gun's condition, originality, and (maybe) value as a collectible. Any photo is better than none at all. Nobody here is an art critic (so far as I know).
Probably the easiest way to do this is to use one of the free photo hosting websites. I like TinyPic but there are many others. You will receive an IMG code that can be copied and pasted into the body of your post. If you hit the "Quote" button at the bottom of this post, you'll be able to see what such a code looks like (in this case, the code for the photo above which was so hosted).
Alternatively, you can use the "Manage Attachments" tool incorporated into the forum's software. This permits uploading photos stored on your computer to be attached to your post as thumbnails which can then be expanded for viewing. However, it will probably be necessary to first reduce the file sizes to conform to the limits for this method. Most email programs furnish you with a means for accomplishing this.
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