Trying to find a model number

[Muleskinner]

My brother inherited my father's off duty carry revolver a few years back and now is trying to find some better grips for it other than the stock wooden ones so it fits his wife's hands better. He cannot locate the model number. It's a S&W 5 shot 38 special snubby with an all numeric 6 digit serial number. The model does not appear anywhere on the outside of the frame..

Where would it be hiding?

 

[Bertfish]

Smith and Wesson?

Sometimes they're hidden on the frame when flip the cylinder out

 

[wilcam47]

Smith and Wesson?

Sometimes they're hidden on the frame when flip the cylinder out

Typically this.

 

[308Scout]

Smith and Wesson?

Sometimes they're hidden on the frame when flip the cylinder out

This, if it isn't on the bottom of the frame at the butt.

 

[Muleskinner]

This, if it isn't on the bottom of the frame at the butt.

that's were the SN is

 

[Muleskinner]

On another note, I know there is a way to look up the date of manufacture using the SN..can this be done online?

 

[Muleskinner]

OK guys, it's a model 49. thanks

 

[Threeband]

Any J-Frame grip should fit, allowing for round or square heel.

 

[Zorros]

Inside crane. You can see when u open cylinder. Eg, mod 36, mod 36-3, mod 19-2, etc. you only need tomfigure whether its a J, K or L frame. And in some cases, with snubs like J and 2.5” kS, is it a square or round butt.

 

[Biggfoot44]

S&W didn't start using Model Numbers until circa 1957 , prior to that , just a Model Name .

In S&W collector speak , post WWII , before model numbers would be a " Pre Model 49 " .

This is Bodyguard type , with mostly concealed hammer , wiith just a small stub of spur exposed ?

The original Bodyguard had alloy frame , later became M 38 . The later simultaneous Steel Bodyguard had steel frame , became M 49 . All of both were 2 in , Round Butt .

Does it have the " normal " cylinder latch , or a flat grooved one ? ( aka " Flat Latch) This is another way S&W collectors differentiate them .

The starting and ending s/n for each year are in the Standard Catalog of S&W , THE reference work for S&W's .

Create a membership at theS&W collector's forum , and make an inquiry , and some one will give you a pretty close range for shipping dates . They are glad to see guns with known LE provenance , and they will ask for pictures .

 

[John from MD]

Any J-Frame grip should fit, allowing for round or square heel.

I second this. I have carried 36-37and 38 over the years and they all are J frame Round butt or Square butt.