Smith And Wesson Model 18 Serial Numbers
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Pistols There are some exceptions to the locations shown above for certain S&W pistols. On the Sigma series and the SW99 models, you will find the serial number in the locations shown in the pictures below.
Hello, I have a S&W model 17.22LR with a -4 serial number. It has a target trigger and hammer which the box label indicates were original.
It currently has Hogue grips on it and I would like to return it to original. The box calls out the grips as TS. Does anyone know what the TS means and what grips should be on this revolver and are there any tricks to identifying the correct style for this vintage?
Are they standard or target grips, with or without cutouts and would they have the diamond pattern at the screw? Also, is this a square or round but frame?I assume square but have not removed the grips yet. Thanks, Scott. Yes: the TS stands for target stocks. Your 17-4 was made between 1977 and 1988. If it has the pinned barrel it was made prior to 1982. Your 17 would not have come with Diamond Target Stocks as they were discontinued in 1968.
If your 17 is early in the run it could have had 'football' relief for the speed loader, later in the run it would have had the larger relief. The grip on the right of the picture is probably the style it came with. Send me the serial number and I can tell you when it was made but not when it shipped as S&W never shipped in order of production but just pulled at random from inventory as needed. If your gun is early in the run it probably was shipped when built as S&W was allocating all firearms in the mud to late 70's through the early 80's because demand far exceeded supply. The Model 17 is a great gun and especially with target wood stocks, target trigger and hammer.
The Model 18 as previously stated is a.22 version for the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece (.38 Special); i.e., a 4 inch barrel. However, the early Models 17's and 17-2's, I believe, did not come with oversize target stocks but walnut service stocks. The Model 18 had a different front sight versus the Model 17. I re-checked my 1978 Shooter Bible as to what I've stated here. The Models 15, 17 & 18 all were 'K' frames with SQUARE BUTTS. Glenncal1, that's a nice 8-3/8' 17. Been wanting to get one.
Have had several 6', but nothing longer. 221 disclosure form pdf. BT-100dc, there are different versions of the Model 18. The originals have a tapered barrel that is designed to match the weight of the Model 15.
The rare Model 16 in.32 S&W also had the barrel designed that way. This way all three guns weighed exactly the same to target shooters. The later Model 18 had a non-tapered barrel that was actually a 4' Model 17 barrel. With hardly any Model 15 or 16 guns being sold, the weight made little difference.
And the Model 18 had a ramp front sight, whereas the 17 usually had a Patridge front sight. Here's the granddaddy of them all. A mid-1930's Outdoorsman, First Model, with the pre-micro click sights. Rare options are a humpback hammer and a Call Brilliant disk on the Patridge front sight. It's my companion piece to a.357 Registered Magnum from 1936.
I wish I had Magna grips, but I've left it in original condition. I have no idea what it's worth. Thanks to everyone for the great information and especially the photos.
I just picked the subject Model 17 up from layaway at a local gunshop and found that I had the grip designation backwards. The label on the box is marked ST for the grip style, would that be the 'Magna Grips'? By the way, it is marked s/n is 248k091 Mod 17-4 and has an 8 3/8' non-pinned barrel. Anyone know the date of manufacture. I bought it to use for target shooting and a little hunting but would like to return it to original condition some day.
Thanks again, Scott. Glenncal1, that looks like a late 40ss production or very early 50s The ejector rod head is slightly larger in diameter than the rod, and the barrel has a clearance cut in it. Immediate post-WWII had an even larger diameter ejector rod head, while somewhere in the mid to late 1950s the head was the same diameter as the rod so no barrel clearance cut out had to be made. Also the thumb latch is rounded around the screw. Later ones were rounded on the front but flat top and bottom in that area.
At one time I had several of these from post-WWII up to the mid-1950s covering all the variations. They were police turn ins and were pretty cheap. Eventually traded them all off. Wish I had kept the earlier one with the larger ejector rod head. All of them had Magna grips as well. Wolfram, I don't have a current bluebook.
I don't see any on gun auction sites that show a price. Did find the above one for sale, but I dunno how accurate or realistic $2995 is. It also does not have the rare humpback hammer and has a standard front sight.