I picked up an Airweight today after looking at it for 5 consecutive Saturdays. It has the snub barrel, diamond grips are stamped to match, flat latch. The SN#351562 is stamped on grip frame, under barrel and on cylinder face..cylinder is steel. The large S&W logo is on right side. No model number..but there is a K and assembly number 37865 on frame and 37865 on yoke. I would would rate the condition at 95%..no box. I paid $325 for the revolver. Any ideas on DOB? I will post pics later.
Pre- Model 12 Airweight?
- Thread starter coneten
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Peter J.
Member
Cone, thats real nice for $325. My only question is why did it take 5 Saturdays to make up your mind? I have two M-12's, a 2" RB like yours, and a 4" Round Butt. Have had them for years, but haven't fired either of them yet. If I get around to it I'll probably use standard loads, and just fire off a couple of cylinders from each. There have been numerous threads lately about M-12 frames cracking under where the barrel is screwed into the frame. I guess thats the "Achilles' heel" of air-weights.
Well..the old feller had it priced at $400 and was afraid if I kept coming back I would wear off the finish. He came down today and it just followed me home. I just looked under the barrel..no crack. I will most likely not shoot this one.
Last edited:
$400 was a reasonable price, also, although I'm sure he made money even at $325. From following such things for a while, it appears to me that M12s are either overtorqued at the factory, or they aren't. If it's not cracked already, it probably will never be. Just be VERY gentle with the sideplate screws. They can strip out the threads in the aluminum frame pretty easily.
I have two right now, and I REALLY like them. Great carry guns.
I have two right now, and I REALLY like them. Great carry guns.
H P Bushrod
Absent Comrade
I've got a flat latch M-12 from the late '50's. It's one of my favorite .38's.
indiuckian
Member
Nice one Coneten. It is a beauty and I am thinking 1954-56 on the DOB from what I can gather via the SCSW 3rd edition. It seems there should be a letter prefix of a "C" in the serial number. I think they are neat guns and that one is in great shape. Great price as well.
