S & W Information
I purchased a S & W .38 special revolver SN AFR5820 and was wondering if you could tell me what model it is or any other information about it? It is a 4 inch heavy barrel, stainless, 6 shot revolver. Thanks, Bob
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The model number of your revolver will be stamped in the frame. Open the cylander and look at the frame just below where the barrel is screwed into the frame. As best I can tell from Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, the same serial number range was used on several different models. 0 -
Hershel, on the frame it says model 64-3, can you tell anything about the pistol like date of manufacture from that information? Are there any web-sites where you can find that kind of information. I see references to k-frames,n-frames, military & police, etc., but none to model 64's. This is my first and the only way to find out anything is to ask. Thanks for the reply. Bob 0 -
Welcome, Bob. 64 would be the model number. The 3 is the "issue", the third revision of that model. Those who are used to speaking Smith-ese recognize the 64 to be a stainless K-frame revolver. If memory serves me, the 64 is fixed sight, the 65 is adjustable. It is an excellent revolver. As to date of manufacture, or value, check Gun Traders Guide or Fjestad's Blue Book. Both are available at your local bookstore. In my area, a stainless Smith .38 runs $200 to $250, depending on sights, extras, and condition. 0 -
Thanks for the information, it is a fixed sight. Bob 0 -
Mfg. late-1984 to early-1985
To pin it down closeryou would need to contact S&W for a factory letter. That would run you $30 and there is no real need to spend that kind on money on a revolver of this type/age.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
The AFR prefix is a departure from the usual SN series and indicates a contract. This is probably an overrun from that, or was surplused by the purchaser later. Neither is uncommon, especially with K-frames, as S&W sold these to just about everybody in the world. Period of manufacture means something, but not a lot, as S&W never made a substandard revolver. But their best time was under Bangor Punta ownership, when even the M10 carried the same perfect gloss blue as the M29. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by mgx
But their best time was under Bangor Punta ownership, when even the M10 carried the same perfect gloss blue as the M29.
I respectively disagree with the above, i.e. S & W quality was best"under Bangor Punta ownership".
When the Wesson heirs, sold S& W to the Bangor Punta conglomerate in the mid 60's, quality went down the drain, B P didn't have a clue to what was going on. Their most notable innovation was the two toned "J" Frames, i.e. Model 37's with a nickled plateed cylinder and blued frame. During that time frame I bought a Model 34, whose cylinder was so rough that you had a hard time ejecting fired brass. It wasn't till later when they started getting a lot of negative feedback that affected sales, did quality improve.0 -
Rufe --- With all respect, Bangor Punta guns had honed chambers. S&W's reputation was well maintained by them, but, I freely admit, did not reach perfection. The proof is that you got a bad one. 0
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