S&W Model 31 or 30
I have an inherited S&W model 31 6 shot revolver I just received. It shoots of course the .32 long.
Problem im having is trying to date it. It is in very good condition with very little patina on it. It is an I frame with a 3in barrel. I called S&W as listed in the sticky about serial numbers. ( By the way the ext. 223 does not work anymore). They said the gun is possibly from the 1930's; however, it has a letter B before the serial number. S&W said that it shouldn't have a B on it. By their reference the B designates the gun as a model 61 pocket escort. Which obvious is not the gun I have. I have a box with it with the wax paper and info papers. Now the box is from different gun and the papers show 1955 on them. Would also like a in the ball park value of the complete package. But really want more info on what I actually have. The serial # on the gun is B 314XXX. Any help would be great. Pics are below:
Problem im having is trying to date it. It is in very good condition with very little patina on it. It is an I frame with a 3in barrel. I called S&W as listed in the sticky about serial numbers. ( By the way the ext. 223 does not work anymore). They said the gun is possibly from the 1930's; however, it has a letter B before the serial number. S&W said that it shouldn't have a B on it. By their reference the B designates the gun as a model 61 pocket escort. Which obvious is not the gun I have. I have a box with it with the wax paper and info papers. Now the box is from different gun and the papers show 1955 on them. Would also like a in the ball park value of the complete package. But really want more info on what I actually have. The serial # on the gun is B 314XXX. Any help would be great. Pics are below:
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S & W didn't start using letter prefixes till after the Second World War.
My WAG, is that the "B", might be addressing the blued finish?
Smith doesn't have precise records on the Models 30 & 31. For your revolver, ("3rd Model"). They give a serial number range of some 270,000+ guns. Between 1911 & 1942. With the starting number being 263,001, in 1911.
Sell the box and it's contents separately on the auction. As it's not relevant to your revolver.
With the cased hammer and trigger your revolver looks like the real McCoy. My WAG, if it is factory original, in NIB condition as it appears, it would be in the $600/$800 range.0
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