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S&W "Snub-Nose"

WBachmann
Hello everyone,
I purchased in November 2008 a second S&W. The seller told me "its a snub-nose" Revolver and a handgun for Ladies.
The barrel length is 3"., nickel-plated. The serial number is J103117.
Model 38. On the barrel Model 38 S&W SPL.
Can somebody tell me the year the gun was manufactured?
Thanks

Walt
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • Herschel
    According to the serial number chart in Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson your model 38 revolver, sn J103117, was made in 1973.

    The information about the model 38, also known as the Bodyguard Airweight, says.....2" barrel with some production of 3" barrels......

    I would say you have an unusual revolver.
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  • dfletcher
    quote:Originally posted by WBachmann
    Hello everyone,
    I purchased in November 2008 a second S&W. The seller told me "its a snub-nose" Revolver and a handgun for Ladies.
    The barrel length is 3"., nickel-plated. The serial number is J103117.
    Model 38. On the barrel Model 38 S&W SPL.
    Can somebody tell me the year the gun was manufactured?
    Thanks

    Walt


    A genuine 3" Model 38 Bodyguard is a very rare gun, I would presume it was not bought new in 2008 but used, yes?

    Edit: So as to not burn up limited responses, swing open the cylinder and on the inside frame yoke should be a model number. If it is stamped Mod 38 on the inside yoke of the frame it could be a rare gun. I say could be because barrels can be switched. If it says Mod 36 or Mod 37 then it's not at all rare, although a nickel 3" 37 is a bit unusual, more so than a 3" 36.
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  • 11b6r
    Walt- the barrel marking sounds more like the caliber than the model-
    quote:Model 38 S&W SPL

    A model 38 is a small aluminum alloy framed 5 shot revolver with a "shrouded" hammer. Also known as the "Bodyguard" model. It should look something like this one. IF yours does not look something like that, look for the "sticky" that tells how to post photos on here-



    http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=274555

    On the other hand, if it has the words "Lady Smith" engraved on the side plate, it is a different gun. Still a good one, just different.
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  • Laredo Lefty
    Walt, This picture has a "MODEL 38" Airweight on the bottom. They are called this because of the light weight alloy frame. Notice the hammer shrouded frame. You can tell the alloy frame due to its different shade unlike the top gun that is all steel.

    [img][/img]50cal-smiths-randall-M60002.jpg

    If your frame does not shroud the hammer you may have a 3" model 36 like the top one in this pic.

    [img][/img]IMG_0006-3.jpg
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  • Herschel
    11b6r,
    Did the Lady Smith come with J prefix serial numbers? If I read the chart correctly in Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, the J serial number prefix was only used on Models 36, 37, 38, 49 and 50.
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