Looking for a s&w revolver produced in year 1972

[microtough]

Need help to select a s&w revolver model that was produced in year 1972, which's my birth year. I want to have a classic revolver that has the same age as me and will keep it with me. Thanks!

 

[daddio202]

You have quite a bit of options open to you in that time frame. What kind of budget range and caliber are you interested in?

 

[microtough]

You have quite a bit of options open to you in that time frame. What kind of budget range and caliber are you interested in?

Up to 1.5k budget depends on the condition; caliber-wise .357 magnum, .38 special, or .44 magnum the biggest.

 

[Absalom]

Statistically, you are most likely to hit paydirt with a Model 10-5 or 10-6, or one of the J-frames, a Model 36 or variant. They were produced in large numbers annually and were popular as service weapons, so they moved off the shelves, there are quite a few surplus police guns on offer at all times, and if you go by the serial ranges in the SCSW supplemented by some research on lettered guns here in older threads, you're likely to be able to nail the year 1972 with relative certainty. We have folks here who keep track of serials in databases and may even be able to suggest serial number ranges. The Model 15 can be added to the list. As you move into the .357 and .44 Magnums, things will get a bit pricier and scarcer, as these are considered more desirable by many.

 

[microtough]

Thanks @Absalom! I will start going through some old threads to get some sense.


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[dscampbell]

Good luck. It took me 30 years to finally get my birth year 1951 model but it was well worth the wait. My your quest be fruitful


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[Absalom]

Got a chance to look at my Standard Catalog.

For the fixed-sight K-frame guns (Model 10 and variants), the serial ranges for production are D 330000 to D 420000 for 1971/1972 and D 420000 to D 510000 for 1972/1973.

There are always outliers with shipping dates, so there is never a 100% guarantee, but probability would suggest the closer you find one to the middle value D 420000, the likelier it will have shipped in 1972.

J-frames are trickier as 1972 was a year with the confusing "floating J", but any gun with a serial consisting of 5 numbers and the letter J interspersed toward the back, like xxxJxx, could be a candidate.

Good luck!

 

[microtough]

Good luck. It took me 30 years to finally get my birth year 1951 model but it was well worth the wait. My your quest be fruitful

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Smith&Wesson is something that worth keeping for lifetime, I'm willing to take my time to find THE ONE.

 

[microtough]

Got a chance to look at my Standard Catalog.

For the fixed-sight K-frame guns (Model 10 and variants), the serial ranges for production are D 330000 to D 420000 for 1971/1972 and D 420000 to D 510000 for 1972/1973.

There are always outliers with shipping dates, so there is never a 100% guarantee, but probability would suggest the closer you find one to the middle value D 420000, the likelier it will have shipped in 1972.

J-frames are trickier as 1972 was a year with the confusing "floating J", but any gun with a serial consisting of 5 numbers and the letter J interspersed toward the back, like xxxJxx, could be a candidate.

Good luck!

Man, this is really useful information, really appreciated!

 

[S&WsRsweet]

You have a good attitude being patient ( not one of my virtues unfortunately) good luck and come back with some pictures of " the one " .

 

[OLDSTER]

Good luck on finding your "birth year" gun. As others have posted, it may take quite a while, but the research and search are part of the fun. For years I looked for a 1947 M&P 4" factory nickel (see my avatar), and two years ago finally found one from a private seller. And it's one of only 4 or 5 of my (too many) revolvers that will go to my sons.

 

[cmansguns]

Hello Microtough and welcome from Virginia;

1972 was a very good year for those beautiful S & W blued steel and walnut (or nickel if that be your pleasure) revolvers.

It looks to me that you have set your sights decently and are willing to research and wait it out.

In order to get you drooling I'll post some of my lettered 1972, and a couple that are close. Personally I really think you will have exactly what you want (once you define it for yourself) and probably under the $1k mark except for the Model 29 which in my opinion will be a tad more.

So without further adoo: left to right (I hope): Model 34-1, .22 cal., 1972: about $650 VG w/o box or docs, Model 10-5, .38 Spl, 1972, $650, Model 25-2, .45acp cal. 1972, $900, Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman, .357 Mag (1974 this one) $700,
Model 19-3 nickel, .357 Mag (1976 this one) $800.

Certainly I may be off $100 or more either way depending on where you live, what's up for sale at LGS/I-net, and your own negotiating skills, but I really believe you will find exactly what you want.

As others have said......stick with the folks on this forum...we love to help newbies and besides the more that accumulate S & W revolvers the more we get to see pics (and we get to drool too)!

 

[steelslaver]

N frames from N1 to N100,000 were 1969-1972 (357, 41 mag 44 mag etc)
K frame adj look for some 2K, 3K, 4K and 5K although some of the 4K and 5k are from 73-74 and some 2K below 2K59 were in 1971. (22lr-357)

For more info get a copy of Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson. Copy the 1972 numbers from the pages starting about 485 and keep them with you. You could also join the S&W collectors Association and have them keep an eye out/ Plus, post an ad in the WTB section here.

Good luck

 

[cmansguns]

Microtough;

As others have said, having a relative idea of serial numbers by years for different Models will help immensely with your search for a 1972 so probably the best investment you can make is jump on Amazon and order up a copy of Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson...4th Edition This is the "bible" most of us live with and in today's age it is even easier, just pop a few cell phone pics of the pages with serial number range and models in the back of the book, and you don't even have to lug the bible around to gun shows, LGS while you are searching.

As others have said also when looking for your 1972 also toss the Model 14, and Model 15 in the search. They are both 38 Spl but real fine guns too. I didn't have 1972, but the 14-3 "long tom" is 1967, and the 15-3 is 1969. The Model 29-2 is 1980 but like I said earlier...I think you'll need to get over the $1K mark for sure in the hunt for one of the biggies.

The Letter (see copy for my 25-2 , .45 acp) from Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation is the ONLY way that I know of to positively say you have a 1972 gun. At least that is the only provenance that I go by. So...one can be reasonably sure by checking serial number dates with SCSW 4th, but to be positively sure you need the Letter.

Hope the above helps in your search.

 

[EricR]

Birth year gun is a great idea! But I've so many holes in my collection that I'm bound to pull the trigger on the next nice pre-80's revolver to come my way...wife permitting.

But I do have a '72, my 28-2:

 

[Doc44]

If you want a 44 Magnum, Model 29-2, shipped in 1972 look for one with a serial number in the N20000 to N22000 range.

Bill

 

[Black Knight]

Hello and welcome. There has been a great deal of great information and suggestions given here. I can only add don't get so focused on the acquisition that you overlook the journey. In 1979 I was able to acquire my first handgun, a 6" Colt Python. It was made in 1978, the year I graduated High School. Well 28 years later I came across a 4" Colt Python that had also been made in 1978 (which I added to my collection). During that 28 years I came across many fine handguns, most I still have. Yes many of those fine handguns are S&W, in fact most are. Which do I like more? Each has its own individual appeal. The point to this is enjoy the search as you will find many fine handguns along the way.

 

[sheepdawg]

Nothing says 70s S&W more than a Model 66. The one on top was shipped to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department in Oct. 1972. It belonged to Patrolman Larry Childress who was killed in the line of duty almost 10 years later. It has a place of honor in my safe.

 

[microtough]

This forum is loaded with great people and quality posts, I really enjoy being here and feel lucky to have you guying giving me so many great suggestions. Looking for a nice gun will take time and need to be patient, but as many of you said, "research and search are part of the fun", learning from others are also fun too.

 

[Brodie]

You're missing one good model, 31-1. I have one I bought new in box in June 1972 for the wife and it's never been fired.
Still have the original box of S&W 32 longs, hope they are still good. Good luck with your search.