How do I find out the date that a gun is made?

Question

Smith & Wesson 38 Special with pearl grip? Looks like an old cowboy gun.

Answer 1

Look the gun over. There should be a serial number on the butt of the handle or inside the crane of the cylinder. The crane is the metal part in front of the cylinder that attaches to the hinge holding the cylinder. Also inside the crane might be a model number like, 10 or 15. There should also be some writing on the barrel.

About the oldest your gun can be is 105 years. The .38 Special was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1902. I will almost bet your gun is a model 10.

Answer 2

If it looked like a single action firearm, it would not be in 38 special if it is old. Old Fuzz is right. However, S+W did make some break top revolvers in 38 S+W in older guns. If it is almost small enough to fit in your pocket, it is probably one of those or it is much newer than you think. Smith and Wesson did make a 45 Schofield handgun but that is pretty big and still wouldn't look like a "classic" single action Colt.

Answer 3

Smith & Wesson has a historian on staff. If you give them the serial number of the gun, the caliber, and the model , they can tell you when it was made. Write them at:

Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt AVE
Springfield, MA 01102

Answer 4

Send a picture along with a letter describing as much detail about the weapon as possible to guns and ammo magazine. Be sure to include nay serial numbers or nanames stamped on the weapon. You could also find a large gunshop or quality gunsmith and they should be able to dig in the books and give you information about the pistol. Good luck.