Smith And Wesson Model Serial Number Lookup

Per Jinks' book, the Model 29-2 started at serial number S227149 when the switch to the 3-screw frame was made. The lowest serial number for a 29-2 I have actually seen is S227832. In 1962 and early 1963, there were revolvers stamped MOD. 29-1 in the yoke cut (and a few stamped MOD. 29-2) that have a 3-screw frame and an extractor rod with the. Dating a Smith & Wesson Revolver: This list is merely a general guide and not meant to be exact. There is some dispute regarding the dates on some serial numbers. Your gun may actually be a year off from what is listed. The precise shipping date as 'lettered' can be several years off depending on model. Serial Numbers: Serial numbers are located on the inside right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of grip. Serial numbers should be matching on all revolvers. Introduced in 1978, the Smith & Wesson Model 629 is a stainless steel version of the Model 29. The 629 model designation derives from Smith & Wesson's practice of denoting a stainless steel version of one of their already existing designs by placing a 6 in front of the model number of the original weapon. The 629 Classic variant features a full. S w n frame revolver serial number 181x s w n frame revolver serial number 181x s w 29 serial numbers smith and wesson serial numbers. In exchange the company’s historian, Roy G. Both of these examples being offered are below the lowest serial number that has surfaced to date and came from the very same collector. I was going to sell it and wanted to know more. Model Alaska Iditarod Comm. However, S&W made 927 steel frame Model 39s in the mid 1950s. They didn't assemble or sell any of these until 1966 plus the steel frame Model 39s fall into three different serial number ranges. That is why Smith & Wesson collectors 'never say never' when asked if S&W ever made a certain configuration or variation.

Smith & Wesson Model 29
Smith & Wesson.44 Magnum Model 629 with 838 inches (21 cm) barrel: a stainless steel version of the Model 29.
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1955–present
Specifications
Mass
  • 41.5 oz (1.177 kg) (4 in bbl)
  • 45 oz (1.276 kg) (6 in bbl)
  • Both of these weights are for the traditional S&W style without a barrel underlug.
Length
  • 9.3 inches (24 cm) (Barrel 4 inches (10 cm))
  • 12 inches (30 cm) (Barrel 612 inches (17 cm))
Barrel length
  • 3 inches (76 mm)
  • 4 inches (100 mm)
  • 5 inches (130 mm)
  • 6 inches (150 mm)
  • 612 inches (170 mm)
  • 838 inches (210 mm)
  • 1058 inches (270 mm)
Cartridge
Caliber.429 inches (10.9 mm)
ActionDouble-action
Feed systemSix roundcylinder
SightsOpen, adjustable rear

Smith And Wesson Model 36 Serial Number Lookup

The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-actionrevolver chambered for the .44 Magnumcartridge and manufactured by the United States company Smith & Wesson.

The Model 29 was offered with 3, 4, 5, 6, 612, 838 and 1058 inches (76, 102, 127, 152, 165, 213 and 270 mm) barrels as standard models. Other barrel lengths were available either by special order from Smith & Wesson's Custom Shop or custom built by gunsmiths. The 5 inches (130 mm) barreled variant had a full length underlug. Finish options available included a highly polishedblued or nickel-plated surface.

At the time of its introduction the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun, although it was later overtaken by handguns chambered for the even larger .454 Casull and .50 Action Express cartridges. It was made famous worldwide by association with the fictional character 'Dirty Harry' Callahan.

Design[edit]

Smith And Wesson Model Serial Number Lookup

The Model 29 will chamber and fire .44 Special cartridges, as the .44 Magnum was developed from the .44 Special. The Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .44 Special.

History[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 29s, with 4-and-838-inch (100 and 210 mm) barrels
Smith & Wesson Mountain Gun circa 1995

Elmer Keith's achievements in maximizing the power and performance of the .44 Special was the inspiration and driving force behind the introduction of the .44 Magnum by Smith & Wesson. His intention for the new round was for it to be used in sidearms for hunters of large, dangerous game, rather than for self-defense, though with today's specialty cartridges, it can be a good defensive round.[1]

S&W's production of a large N-frame revolver in .44 Magnum began in 1955; the Model 29 designation was applied in 1957.[2]

At the time of its introduction, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun. There were a number of custom calibers that were more powerful, as in the old Howdah pistols of the 19th century.

It remained primarily the province of handgun enthusiasts, some law enforcement personnel and hunters until 1971, when Clint Eastwood made it famous as 'the most powerful handgun in the world' in the movie Dirty Harry. After the release of the movie and its sequels, retailers had trouble keeping the Model 29 in stock.[3]

In the late 1990s, Smith & Wesson discontinued production of many models of revolvers, including the 'basic' Model 29; since then, at various times, the model, in limited or 'custom' configurations, has been manufactured in as many as 10 evolutions.[4]

Variants[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 29-2

The original Model 29 was superseded by the Model 29-1 in 1960, with modifications made to the ejector-rod screw. The Model 29-2 replaced it the following year, with one screw that had secured the cylinder-stop spring being deleted. The barrel length was shortened from 612/how-to-share-an-apk-file-download-for-android.html. to 6 inches (170 to 150 mm) in 1979. These two versions are known as 'pinned and recessed'. 'Pinned' means that the barrels are screwed in, and secured by a pin driven through the frame and a notch in the barrel. 'Recessed' denotes the rear of the bored cylinder holes being countersunk, so that, when loaded, the cartridge rims are fully enclosed by the cylinder. In 1982, the cost-cutting Model 29-3 dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels.[2]

The -4 and -5, produced from 1988 and 1990 respectively had changes to improve durability for heavy use. In 1994 the 29-6 began production, now fitted as standard with rubber Monogrips from Hogue to replace the previous wooden items, standard tapped holes also being provided for attaching scope mounts. The 29-7 started production in 1998 with changes to the locking mechanism, the firing pin's attachment, and a hammer and trigger produced with a metal injection molding process.[2]

ModelYearBarrel LengthsModifications
291957612 inches (170 mm)
29-11960612 inches (170 mm)ejector rod screw
29-21961612 inches (170 mm), changed to 6 inches (150 mm) in 1979one screw that had secured the cylinder stop spring dropped
29-31982dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels for crush-fit barrels
29-41988retention system on the yoke or cylinder crane strengthened, studs in frame were radiused; 8 3/8' version offered with integral scope mts.
29-51990longer cylinder notches to prevent bolt jump, bolt and inner mechanism changed to reduce battering under recoil
29-61994standard with rubber Monogrips from Hogue
29-71998changes to the locking mechanism, the firing pin's attachment, and a hammer and trigger produced with a metal injection molding process.
29-82001new frame design with internal lock
29-9
29-10
Starting NumberYears
N11969-1972
N1000001973
N2000001974-1977
N3000001975-1976
N4000001977-1978
N5000001978-1980
N6000001979-1980
N7000001980
N8000001980-1983
N9000001982-1986
Numbers

Model 629[edit]

A snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 629.

Introduced in 1978, the Smith & Wesson Model 629 is a stainless steel version of the Model 29.

The 629 model designation derives from Smith & Wesson's practice of denoting a stainless steel version of one of their already existing designs by placing a 6 in front of the model number of the original weapon. The 629 Classic variant features a full-length barrel underlug, other variants include the 629 Stealth Hunter.

.44 Magnum S&W Model 629-6 Deluxe Talo Edition
ModelStart YearBarrel LengthsModifications
6291979
629-11982dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels
629-21988changed yoke retention, radius studs, floating hand
629-31989hardened yoke and frame, longer stop notch, bolt block, fixed hand
629-41993changed rear sight leaf and extractor
629-51997Eliminate cylinder stop stud and serrated tang, MIM trigger and hammer, floating firing pin
629-62001Internal lock added
629-72005Two piece barrel
629-82006Slab sided barrel

Quiet Special Purpose Revolver[edit]

Some S&W model 29s were rebuilt by the AAI Corporation to make the Quiet Special Purpose Revolvers (QSPR). These had new, short, smoothbore barrels 35 millimetres (138 in), with 10 millimetres (0.39 in) bore, with cylinder chambers reamed to accept special QSPR ammunition which externally resembled metal-cased .410-bore shotgun shells but internally worked as a piston to trap the gases. This special ammunition was made by AAI.[5]

This pistol was developed from 1967 to 1971 to be used by tunnel rats in the Vietnam War. The QSPR was tested on the battlefield in 1969, and an improvement and testing program ran from 1970 until 1971. At least officially it never entered service. The US withdrawal from Vietnam reduced interest in the QSPR weapon, and the program ended in about 1972,[5] although unsubstantiated rumors claim the QSPR may have been used by CIA assassins during the Cold War, and continues to be used by so-called 'Black Book teams'.

A Russian handgun introduced in 2002, the OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver, is described as using a system virtually identical to the QSPR.

Mountain Gun Variation[edit]

Mountain Gun engraved by John K. Pease and Wayne Di'Angelo through the Smith & Wesson Custom Engraving Shop.

The Mountain Gun was introduced in 1989 as a lightweight version of the Model 29 designed to be 'carried often and shot little'.[6] The barrel profile is a reprise of the original design. Early version 29-4 backpacker with 2.5' barrel, (Very rare).

A Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 3' barrel called the 'Trail Boss' was produced for the distributor, RSR.[7]

Other variants[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Performance Center, a competition-oriented variant with a weighted barrel for reducing recoil
  • On January 26, 2006, Smith & Wesson announced the 50th Anniversary Model 29.[8] Identical to the previous models except for the gold inlaid trademark on the side cover, the new internal lock mechanism, and a non-fluted cylinder.
  • On January 1, 2007, Smith & Wesson announced the reissue of the Model 29 as an engraved model in S&W's Classics line.[9]
  • The Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter has a 712 inches (190 mm) ported barrel with a full-length under lug for increased stability and recoil reduction.The barrel-cylinder gap is 0.006 inches (0.15 mm), with a ball-detent lockup between the frame and cylinder crane that provides increased strength. The entire revolver is made of a stainless steel, with a glare-reducing matte black finish. It comes with slip-resistant synthetic grips.[10]
  • The 329NG is a scandium-framed revolver with PVD-coated cylinder and tritium sights. It is part of the NightGuard line.[11]

Users[edit]

  • United States: Used by the Washington Police Department

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Campbell, R. K. (December 2011). 'General Purpose Handguns'. The Complete Illustrated Manual of Handgun Skills. Zenith Imprint. p. 90. ISBN978-1-61059-745-6. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  2. ^ abcJohn Taffin. Gun Digest Book of the .44. pp. 147–150. ISBN0-89689-416-9.
  3. ^Hornaday, Ann (Jan 17, 1999) 'Guns on film: a loaded issue', Baltimore Sun
  4. ^Smith, Clint (2007). 'The do-all death-ray: SDM's custom .44 Magnum'. American Handgunner. 24 (4).
  5. ^ abPopenker, Max R. 'Smith & Wesson/ AAI Quiet Special Purpose Revolver/ QSPR/ Tunnel Revolver Archived 2010-04-18 at the Wayback Machine', world.guns.ru. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  6. ^Egusa, Alan (April 2010). Martial Art of the Gun: The Turnipseed Technique. Dog Ear Publishing. p. 55. ISBN978-1-60844-226-3.
  7. ^Shideler, Dan (10 May 2011). The Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2011. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 918. ISBN1-4402-1890-0.
  8. ^Smith & Wesson press release announcing the Model 29 Anniversary EditionArchived 2006-11-13 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^'Smith & Wesson Classics: Model 29 Engraved'(PDF). Smith & Wesson. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2007-09-27.
  10. ^Shideler, Dan. The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 918. ISBN9781440218903. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  11. ^Mann, Richard Allen; Lee, Jerry (20 November 2013). The Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900-Present. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. p. 220. ISBN978-1-4402-3752-2.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smith & Wesson Model 29.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_29&oldid=993042210'

The Victory Model Smith and Wesson .38 Caliber Revolver

The revolvers of the U.S. armed forces have always been under appreciated by collectors, the good news is that makes them relatively inexpensive to acquire, but this is changing. At a recent trip to the 2003 Louisville gun show I noticed prices on Victory revolvers had increased noticeably. That being said you might want to consider adding a few Victory models to your USGI collection.

While the information I provide below can be helpful please see the list on the bottom of this page for reference material you should have if you are going to collect these historical pieces . The Victory model revolvers participated in various roles from guard duty to riding in a shoulder holster with fighter and bomber pilots. I have talked to many ex-military personnel that carried them as late as the 1980s, as you can see these pistols played a significant part of our history. To this day the Victory model is a very enjoyable shooting collectible, mainly due to its inexpensive cost, light recoil, and good accuracy.
Enjoy and happy collecting, Ty

The Victory model was so named for the 'V' prefix which was placed before the serial number and represented 'Victory' against the Axis powers in World War II.

Smith Wesson Model 37 Serial Number Lookup

/paypal-money-adder-v2-0-activation-code-free.html. Serial numbers for the .38 special Victory model began at about V1 in early 1942 and ran until VS811119 with a date of late August of 1945 (end of production). V1 to approximately V39,999 were predominately .38 S&W Caliber (I have observed revolvers in the 1-40000 range in .38 special caliber). Serial numbers are located on Inside right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of barrel. Crane and crane recess are also serial numbered to each other, but this is a different number then the revolvers serial number as is correct for Victory model revolvers.

The Victory Revolver was produced during World War II, it is a variation of the Military & Police Model of 1905, fourth change and had the following characteristics between 1942 and 1945:

Barrel: 2, 4, 5, or 6 inch. (4 inch common in .38 special, 5 inch common in 38/200 or .38 S&W)
Sights: Fixed
Finish: Early sandblast blue, sandblast mid-night black (appears grayish black). And finally a parkerized finish. Hammer and Trigger are case hardened.
Grips: Checkered walnut with medallion until early 1942, post February of 1942 they are smooth American Walnut with out medallions.

Ordnance acceptance marks:
The acceptance mark varies with the particulars of the order placed. With U.S. Navy orders you will find no acceptance marks on the original two contracts they placed. On later Navy revolvers, ordered through the Army they will be found with the more typical Army G.H.D. acceptance mark. Below you will find some of the common stamps with links to examples.

W.B. - The acceptance mark of Ordnance officer Waldemar Bromberg is located on the butt (to about serial number V145000). Just to the right of the acceptance mark (W.B.) is usually found an ordnance bomb and proof mark. The 'P' proof mark indicates this revolver has passed military proof testing. EXAMPLE – Click Here

G.H.D – From approximately 1942 to about May 1943 the acceptance mark of Ordnance officer Guy H. Drewry is found on the butt. From approximately V300000 to end of production G.H.D is found on the left top strap; EXAMPLE – Click Here

Property marks:
The most common property marks found on the Victory model are the UNITED STATES PROPERTY, US PROPERTY, and the US NAVY markings.

UNITED STATES PROPERTY – Found on left top strap to approximately V300000 and on the M&Ps pre Victory. Applied at the S&W factory. Example - Click Here

U.S. PROPERTY – The property mark was shortened to 'U.S. PROPERTY' at about serial number V300000. At this time the G.H.D acceptance mark was moved from the butt to the left top strap with the property mark. Applied at the S&W factory. EXAMPLE – Click Here

U.S. NAVY – Found on the revolvers left top strap as per the two Navy contracts. The Navy also applied a Property mark on the left side plate on some revolvers; these were filled in with red paint. This is not an S&W applied marking. EXAMPLE – Click Here and Here for the Navy applied mark.

Victory models have also been produced with out property marks, these revolvers were probably delivered by the U.S. Defense Supply Corporation (DSC) to defense contractors and public agencies that required them for guarding war sensitive materials.

Other common markings:
S -
Revolvers that have the 'S' marking on the right side plate as well as before the serial number on the butt have the improved hammer block installed. If the 'S' in the serial number on the butt appears to be machine applied this would indicate it was produced with improved hammer block, and that it was not added later or it would have been hand stamped. The improved hammer block was put into production after an accidental discharge killed a sailor during World War II. This improved hammer block is still utilized in today's commercial Smith and Wesson revolvers. EXAMPLE – Click Here

P – Proof marking. This can very depending on the contract. Navy marked pistols usually have none. But C.W. Pates books indicate that some delivered under an Army contract could be found with a P mark. Post the V400,000 serial number range they are located on the underside of the barrel, back of the cylinder and left side plate. The later appear to be Army Supply Program contract revolvers. EXAMPLE – Click Here

Serial Numbers:
Serial numbers are located on the inside right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of grip. Serial numbers should be matching on all revolvers. Crane and Crane recess are also serial numbered to each other, but this is a different number then the revolvers serial number and is correct for Victory model revolvers.
Grip/Stock
EXAMPLE – Click Here
Barrel EXAMPLE – Click Here
Cylinder EXAMPLE – Click Here
Extractor Start EXAMPLE – Click Here
Butt EXAMPLE –
Click Here

Smith And Wesson Model 36 Serial Number Lookup

Production:
38/200 British Service Revolver (S&W Caliber)
- There were over 571,629 of these models produced between October 1941 and May 1945 for the British Common wealth countries. These countries include the Union of South Africa (21,347), Canada (45,328), and Australia (8,000). The remaining 384,100 shipped between 1941 and the end of World War II were supplied by the U.S. Army Ordnance through the lend lease program to Britain for distribution.

Victory model 38 Special – 352,000 shipped to the Army and Navy. Some of these were shipped to a commission responsible for supplying the civilian industries. They will usually have no property marks. Uses included guarding factories, ports, and federal/local government agencies.

Smith And Wesson Model 10-5 Serial Number Lookup

Note: You can find all kinds of variations, with additional war and post war markings. These include rebuild markings, country ownership markings, unit markings, and much more. For a complete listing see the books referenced below.

Recommended reading:
US Handguns of WW II - The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers by Charles W. Pate
Americas Right Arm - The S&W Military and Police Revolver by John Henwood
Smith and Wesson 1857 - 1945 by Robert J. Neal and Roy G. Jinks