Model 18-4

[mrpendleton]

I bought a model 18-4 in near perfect condition with box for $500. It has a pinned barrel but newer blue box with double
action revolver wrote on it. The serial number is 34k66xx. I was wondering if someone could tell me if the box is correct and the date of manufacture.

 

[JP@AK]

The Model 18-4 was introduced in 1977 and the serial number on your gun dates it to 1978 (probably).
That style box was not used until 1983, so I seriously doubt your gun shipped from the factory in it. Of course, there is the slim possibility of your revolver getting stuck somewhere in the back of the vault and not shipping until much later than its brothers with close-by serial numbers, but that seems to me an unlikely scenario. I think your revolver and this box are mismatched.
I have in my collection a couple revolvers from the early 1980s and they shipped in the older two-piece boxes.

 

[mrpendleton]

Thanks, I didn't think it was the correct box, but it's still a beautiful gun.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

That is a beautiful model 18! Interestingly, the "Smith & Wesson" roll mark on the barrel looks very tiny! It looks like someone in the factory inadvertently grabbed a roll stamping die meant for 2" barrels. I have seen a couple others from that era marked that way. With S&W you never know what you are going to get, that's what keeps this hobby interesting!