Smith&Wesson "L" frame question
When did the L frame come out? I recently came into one which I thought was a pre #10 M+P, but I had a friend look at it and he told me That it is definately and L as the Letter "L" is clearly stamped on the frame behind the cylinder crane. serial #47xxx 5" half lug barrel, adjustable sights, DA. No model # is stamped on the gun anywhere. barrel reads 38 S&W special cartridge. Last patent date is 1914. Came from estate of a gentleman who quit shooting in the 70's. Serial on barrel and butt match. what model would it be?
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?
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I think the "L" frames were the first .357 mags with the full underlug barrel. I bought a 4" stainless mod. 686 back when they first came out and that was around 1985-1986. The blued mod. is mod.586. Both came available in 2",4",6",and 8" barrels. Hope this helps. 0 -
The "L" frames began in 1980. Your gun is much older,they haven't marked 1914 patent dates for a long time.It actually sounds like an "N" frame gun to me because of the half lug barrel(shrouded extractor rod??)and the adjustable sights.Is the extractor rod encased in a housing as in surrounded by metal? Is the barrel round on the top or does it have a rib? Does the serial number on the butt begin with a letter? S&W started marking model numbers in 1957,the numbers on the crane are only assembly numbers,if there is an "L" marked there,it doesn't make it an "L" frame gun.If it says: Made in USA in one line on the right side of the frame,it's 1947 or earlier,later this was changed to a 4 line script.It's a 5 screw gun and if the grips are the originals,they should have the diamond around the screw holes in most cases.Need more information. 0 -
Nope Smith and Wesson does stamp their guns with the frame size.
When you open the cylinder it is stamped inside N for N frame
L for L frame, J for J frame. The serial number tells all.0 -
Round top barrel, Made in USA 1 line, diamond arround the screw hole, 3 screws visable with the grips on. shrouded extractor rod. Any Idea of a date of mfg?
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?0 -
Think Older!! The 1914 patent marking is a start. S&W did indeed stamp the yoke with a frame designation before the serial number ....on the newer guns.None of this applies to a pre-war gun,those didn't have any serial number prefix or model number.Before 1969 the "J" frames had no letter prefix,before 1970 the "N" frames all had an "S" prefix,before 1946 the "N" frames had no prefix at all,before 1946 the "K" frames had no letter prefix,etc.I can't think of any model marked(post 1957) S&W that has a 1914 barrel patent marking,certainly not on a post 1980 "L" frame. 0 -
Helps a little. The one line "Made in USA" = Pre 1947. The shrouded extractor rod on a gun of this vintage was only used on the "N" frame guns. It has to be a 5 screw, there will be 4 screws on the right side plate and 1 in front of the trigger guard.I'm thinking it's a pre-war 38/44 Outdoorsman because of the adjustable sights.I didn't think those were made with a 5" barrel,only 6.5" or 8 3/4".If it is an Outdoorsman,going by the serial number the date would be in the mid 1930's. If you care to post your email address,I can send you a picture of what these look like. 0 -
There is no letter prefix in the Serial #. the number appears on the butt of the pistol, as well as behind the ejector rod on the barrel shroud. sorry about the sn, actually it is 418xx two places. yes forty one thousand. barrel measures 5" from forcing cone to muzzle, I suppose the sights could have been added but the blueing matches perfectly. Oh well, I bought it as a shooter.
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?0 -
I'm trying to help but we need to determine the model before looking up any serial numbers.I'm sticking to my original thought that it is a pre-war N frame,S&W didn't make any other frame size with a shrouded exractor rod in that era.The barrel could have been cut down in the past. Have a look at GunBroker current auction #6872648,it's a post war 38/44 Outdoorsman so it has the barrel rib,picture it without the barrel rib ....does your gun look anything like it? 0 -
Not nearly that much frame. Screw placement is the same however. Rear sight has a similar design. It looks exactly like a M+P with a shrouded ejector and adjustable rear sight.
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?0
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