What years for 3 S&W Hand Ejectors?

[SpeedSkater]

Three hand ejectors for which we'd like the years:

.38 Special (no model on yoke, K-38?)
.38 Spcl; Hand Ejector; Post-war adjustable sight; 6" barrel; 5 screw. Ser. No.: K237XXX

.22 LR (no model on yoke, K22?)
Hand Ejector; Post-war adjustable sight; 6" barrel; 5 screw
Ser. No. K160XXX

.38 Special, Model 36
1 7/8" barrel; fixed sight; 3 screw
Ser. No. 147XXX
(wife's revolver!)

Will very much appreciate any information about the years in which these sidearms were made/shipped. Thank you!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Here's my best guess on your wife's Chiefs Special.

Two that bracket it have ship dates of...

1463XX - December 1958

&

1489XX - April 1959

Is it blue with a round butt? -- the most common combo.

The K-frame experts will be along to help out with the .38 & .22.

 

[SpeedSkater]

Thank you, two-bit. I appreciate the bracketing years of my wife's Model 36. It is beautiful blue. The base of the butt - where the SN is - is flat.

 

[Daniel Howe]

The model number on the yoke first appears in 1957 . Can you post pictures of the other two?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Thank you, two-bit. I appreciate the bracketing years of my wife's Model 36. It is beautiful blue. The base of the butt - where the SN is - is flat.

Okay, got it, but can you say which of these it looks like?

 

[murphydog]

K160000 is from 1952, and K237000 from 1955.

The "round butt" frame tapers at the bottom, and the "square butt" flares wider.

 

[SpeedSkater]

Thank you all for your replies. I'll attempt to attach photos of all 3 revolvers - but it's my first attempt to do that on this forum. By the way, I've had a serious problem with my .38 Spcl: couldn't open the cylinder. Gunsmith worked on it, charged me a pretty penny and said that they had to almost totally disassemble the revolver. It worked once. Recently, by following up with another issue on this forum, I learned that, if the ejector rod is tightened just right, that's a common problem. After a few tries, found the right spot and the cylinder swings open. Still not right, but just right enough.

 

[SpeedSkater]

Didn't label the firearms in the photo that shows all 3. Top left is my .38 Special (K38?), top right is my wife's Model 36, Bottom is my .22 LR (K22?)

 

[murphydog]

K-38 and K-22 Masterpieces are the correct full names, and the model 36 has a square butt frame. Enjoy!

 

[SpeedSkater]

Two-bit Cowboy: I made a typo on the serial number of my wife's Model 36: it's 146111, not 147111, so - based on the info that you gave me, it's a 1958 for sure.

 

[SpeedSkater]

Thank you, Murphy Dog. I do appreciate it. I am so impressed with the kindness of all of you. Trying to get some of my records in order now that I've celebrated the 24th anniversary of my 60th birthday - just in case I leave behind anything that isn't yet shot up, shot out, worn out, or unspent. Thank you, again

 

[kscharlie]

Yes, S&W would have called your .38 a K-38 Masterpiece, and the .22 would be a K-22 Masterpiece. They would become the Model 14 and Model 17 in 1957/58. They are often called Target Masterpiece, but S&W never advertised them as such.

Edit: Murphydog beat me to the punch while I was typing and sipping my coffee....

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Two-bit Cowboy: I made a typo on the serial number of my wife's Model 36: it's 146111, not 147111, so - based on the info that you gave me, it's a 1958 for sure.

Well, S&W doesn't let us assume '58 "for sure."

I have two Chiefs from '55/'56 with serial numbers that are 379 numbers apart, yet one shipped in January '55 and the one with the lower serial number didn't ship till May '56.

"24th anniversary of your 60th birthday," eh?

That's a bit different than I do it.

Next month I'll still be 29, but I'll then have 38 years experience at that age!

 

[SpeedSkater]

Interesting business on the '55/'56 serial numbers. I'll be more cautious in my conclusions. Happy forthcoming 29th birthday (again). And thank you, again for the information and support.