Model 51 date of mfg help needed.

[Calamity Joe]

Considering this Model 51 22 Mag. SN 1K69xxx. Can I get some help on a manufacturing year? Thank you.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! 1971.

 

[AudieMurphy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! 1971.

you forgot about the kudzu

 

[Calamity Joe]

Yes. Just joined the forum. I searched for a while and found that this forum has the most knowledgeable members. So 1971 is the year of mfg. do you have any idea of the range of years that the model 51 was made?

I am a newbie with S&W revolvers since 1970 when I bought a model 38 chiefs special in SS. Had it for a few years and sold it to pay for college. What a bonehead I was .

What frame is the 51 in the picture? From what I have read the square butt version is most common.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Retired W4]

With that barrel length it looks more like a Model 35, which of course is chambered in 22 LR/.

Edit: Looking closer it looks like a K frame M-48 (22 mag). Maybe I need new glasses.

The 1K prefix says it all.

 

[JP@AK]

1970 when I bought a model 38 chiefs special in SS.

What frame is the 51 in the picture?

A little bit of corrective information for you:

1. The Model 38 was a Bodyguard Airweight and it was never made of stainless steel. It had an aluminum alloy frame and steel cylinder and barrel. The Chiefs Special was the Model 36. It was made of carbon steel, never stainless.

2. As noted by my colleague Retired W4, your .22 Magnum revolver is a Model 48, not a Model 51. The Model 51 was the .22/32 Kit Gun Magnum. It was built on the smaller J frame, unlike your Model 48, which is a K frame.

 

[Calamity Joe]

A little bit of corrective information for you:

1. The Model 38 was a Bodyguard Airweight and it was never made of stainless steel. It had an aluminum alloy frame and steel cylinder and barrel. The Chiefs Special was the Model 36. It was made of carbon steel, never stainless.

2. As noted by my colleague Retired W4, your .22 Magnum revolver is a Model 48, not a Model 51. The Model 51 was the .22/32 Kit Gun Magnum. It was built on the smaller J frame, unlike your Model 48, which is a K frame.

I guess my memory from 1970 is incorrect. Thanks for the info.

From pictures of model 48 and 51 the shape of the top of the grips looks more like pictures of 51’s. Were there variations of grips on the 48?

 

[JP@AK]

I really don't know anything about Magna stock variations on the Model 48. But the definitive determining factor in identifying your revolver is the 1K serial number. No J frame unit ever had a serial number with a K prefix of any sort. 1K69000 clearly indicates a K target revolver from 1971. In addition, all outward appearances shown in your picture tell us this is a K frame Model 48. The Model 51 was only produced with a 3 1/2" barrel. The Model 48 in your photo clearly has a 6" barrel.

 

[Calamity Joe]

I really don't know anything about Magna stock variations on the Model 48. But the definitive determining factor in identifying your revolver is the 1K serial number. No J frame unit ever had a serial number with a K prefix of any sort. 1K69000 clearly indicates a K target revolver from 1971. In addition, all outward appearances shown in your picture tell us this is a K frame Model 48. The Model 51 was only produced with a 3 1/2" barrel. The Model 48 in your photo clearly has a 6" barrel.

Thank you. That is a great wrap up on all the other comments and clears it up for me.

I appreciate all the wisdom of the responders.