Hi all, just joined and have a couple questions. I purchased a used Smith & Wesson 357 revolver back in the 90s. Thanks to this forum, I was able to find model number by looking under the cylinder crane and it is a 65-3. I know this is the stainless steel version of the Model 13 built on the K frame. Anyway, to my questions. From everything I've read, the "-3" means a 3 inch barrel, however this gun has a 4 inch barrel. I would think it should be a model 65-4, but it's clearly marked a 65-3. What am I missing? Is it possible the barrel was changed at some point? Also, there are two numbers, with the barrel opened, I can see "B18 9983" and if you turn the gun upside down and look at the bottom of the grips, the numbers AJD69-84 are stamped. Which one is the actual serial number and does the last two digits of the serial number identify the year manufactured?
Thanks so much,
--Billy
Thanks so much,
--Billy