Hey guys, my grandfather just gave me a beautiful handgun with a pretty cool backstory. He's not sure of the exact date but just based on how the gun came into our family he assumes it's a 1955-1957. Barrel states it's an airweight 38 SPL CTG. Yoke says it's a model 12. No dashes or secondary numbers just a basic model 12. Below that on the swing arm it says 58158 then stamped below that on the swing arm is a 7 and stamped below that is H 4. The serial number from the butt of the gun says C474789 and the number stamped on the back of the extractor matches that number. I've included pictures which I'm sure makes my terrible description obsolete. Thank you in advance for any and all help with this!
Need help identifying date of .38 AIRWEIGHT
- Thread starter Sean_1984
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ParadiseRoad
Member
...looks like it might be a nice revolver...
...full photos of the left and right sides would be nice for all the gun junkies here...
...full photos of the left and right sides would be nice for all the gun junkies here...
Welcome aboard from Wyoming.
Congrats on receiving a family heirloom. Precious!
In addition to Model 12, the gun is called ".38 Military & Police Airweight." It is built on the K-frame.
You should also find the serial number on the back of the cylinder and on the inside of the right stock. The stocks on your Model 12 are not interchangeable with other K-frames since the grip frame is thinner than the steel models. The stocks should have a diamond around the screw escutcheon, too.
Roll the cylinder out and look at the bottom of the frame where the barrel penetrates the frame. With luck you will not find a crack in the frame (they were notorious for having a cracked frame from shooting heavy loads).
I'll second the request for photos of the whole right and left sides.
Congrats on receiving a family heirloom. Precious!
In addition to Model 12, the gun is called ".38 Military & Police Airweight." It is built on the K-frame.
You should also find the serial number on the back of the cylinder and on the inside of the right stock. The stocks on your Model 12 are not interchangeable with other K-frames since the grip frame is thinner than the steel models. The stocks should have a diamond around the screw escutcheon, too.
Roll the cylinder out and look at the bottom of the frame where the barrel penetrates the frame. With luck you will not find a crack in the frame (they were notorious for having a cracked frame from shooting heavy loads).
I'll second the request for photos of the whole right and left sides.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
First, welcome to the forum.
Second, that is a beauty. A Model 12 no dash.
I have a Model 12-2 and it is loads of fun.
Second, that is a beauty. A Model 12 no dash.
I have a Model 12-2 and it is loads of fun.
First off, thank you all so much for the speedy reply's! I am posting a photo of both sides of the gun as requested. I have found no cracks in the areas I was told to look. The gun was never fired by anyone in my family and was confiscated by my great grandfather in the late 50's when he was the mayor of Cambell Ohio. Apparently a guy bought it to kill his wife but the police intervened before he could commit the crime. My great grandfather had it confiscated then it went missing... it resurfaced in the mid 80's at his hunting cabin in Canada when he gave it to my grandfather. So apparently I have some crooked politicians in my gene pool lol... a crooked politician... imagine that!
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Sean! That's a nice looking pinto!
Nice snubnose.
The #58158 is a factory assembly # which will also be found on the left side of the grip frame under the grip, and inside the side plate.
DWalt
Member
The closest SN on my list to C474789 is C4777xx which shipped in 12/59. I also have listed several other SNs not too far away which shipped in the late 1959-early 1960 period. I believe your 1955-1957 estimate is a couple of years early. Even those shipments made in the late 1957 period are much closer to being in the SN C400000 neighborhood.
I have always been distrustful of these alloy-framed guns, and you seem to be aware of the reason. If you do shoot it, you should definitely use only standard velocity lead bullet ammunition. If I had one (which I do not for obvious reasons), I would personally shoot it using only the lightest handloads I could make.
I have always been distrustful of these alloy-framed guns, and you seem to be aware of the reason. If you do shoot it, you should definitely use only standard velocity lead bullet ammunition. If I had one (which I do not for obvious reasons), I would personally shoot it using only the lightest handloads I could make.
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I have heard this argument for years. Bull Muffins! I have a mod. 12 and
the J frame cousins. Carry and shoot with HOT all the time. If it breaks, it breaks. Get another one. . So there. Mike
the J frame cousins. Carry and shoot with HOT all the time. If it breaks, it breaks. Get another one. . So there. Mike
I gotta add that I have a Mod.37 Airweight and shoot it every now and then for quite a few targets and have never seen any sign it was under undue stress. I doubt I would ever shoot it with something hot because I don't need to-I have other pocket pistols for that.
It is a very nice little gun and easy to carry wherever and whenever.
It is a very nice little gun and easy to carry wherever and whenever.
longarm4146
Member
Gonna have to check date on my airweight M&P, I was thinking it's an early 60s gun but it is a flat latch gun.
It should be a flat latch gun up to 1966.
The K frame airweight is the only other model to use flat latches other than the I and J frames which also ended the flat latch in 1966.
The K frame airweight is the only other model to use flat latches other than the I and J frames which also ended the flat latch in 1966.
99savage308
Member
I have two mod 12's and an Airweight pre 12. Yes I have a pre mod 12 with matching serial numbers and alloy cylinder. Haven't seen any cracks in any of them. The pre mod 12 was a backup for a local LEO. Carried more than shot. Does have a lot of holster wear. I'll try to post a pic.
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shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Welcome aboard, Sean. I hope you'll stick around.
That's a very nice revolver, and I really like the back story. It adds to the appeal of the gun.
I wouldn't worry about shooting it with standard pressure lead bullet ammo, and I certainly would have to shoot it.
That's a very nice revolver, and I really like the back story. It adds to the appeal of the gun.
I wouldn't worry about shooting it with standard pressure lead bullet ammo, and I certainly would have to shoot it.
