Mod 18-3 with 5 sn?

[sfal7418]

looking at a very nice Model 18-3....thinking 1969ish...
Anyway after looking at left side grip it looks like it was refinished at Smith Jan 1970 ....inside of matching box lid in ink stamp is Dec 29 1969....I assume done at Smith when it was taken in for refinish

My question is the serial numbers on the barrel and cyl rear...the 7 on both look the same, with the placing off ...was this done during refinish , was the barrel was removed and Cyl taken apart? to keep parts together? on right grip sn is stamp into wood....thought these were done in pencil/marker? ....also both grips have the letter K also stamp into them

Also the sn under yoke seems almost hand stamped
thanks for any input...will have more pics soon
al

 

[sfal7418]

one last pic
thanks al

 

[Retired W4]

I think you are spot on with your analysis.

 

[Truckman]

I see January 1970 as a rework date......Ben

 

[M29since14]

From what I see, a very nice looking revolver. Did you buy it? I certainly wouldn’t let the refinish stop me.

 

[Hondo44]

Serial numbers on the grip were changed from penciled to stamped in about 1930.

The grips may have been replaced at the time of the refinish since they are stamped with the K. That was normally not done when guns were produced originally.

The barrel and/or cylinder were no longer number stamped when this gun was produced. They may have been replaced. Either way the serial numbers were likely hand stamped along with the S and poorly stamped diamond on the barrel so they were returned to the service department after being blued and to match them to the rest of the gun for reassembly.

The assembly number was relocated to the grip frame after the serial and model numbers were added in the yoke cutout of the frame around 1958. You’ll find the matching assembly number on the yoke and inside of the side plate. The R-S in the rectangle on the grip frame means refinish standard.

 

[Bullet Bob]

That's at least $50.00 of information right there.

 

[sfal7418]

That's at least $50.00 of information right there. ....
I consider it priceless....
most of the guns I have are .22's
and I love the history of ea and everyone, from a beat up mossberg to my Steyr Zepher
the more unusual the better....
I have a story on picking up this model 18, I would like to share, but right now I need to get going to an event for Memorial Day
Have a Good one and Thanks
al

 

[Targets Guy]

Model 18-3, s/n K877258, shipped 7/1969.

 

[Doc44]

The barrel and cylinder were serial numbered to keep original parts together after disassembly and refinishing. The S diamond stamp on the barrel flat is another indication of a standard refinish. The serial number was stamped on the right stock panel probably beginning the 1920s (I am not certain of this, but I know it was done in the 1930s.). The appearance of the serial number in the yoke cut is similar to many I have seen and it probably was hand stamped. I believe the letter K was stamped on the stock panel to indicate the stocks were made for a K frame revolver.

Bill