Hello all, I am new to this forum but have admired Smith and Wesson all my life. I recently acquired a snub nose S&W five shot revolver, I brought it over to Cabelas in Gonzales, La. To have the gun evaluated by their team of "EXPERTS" and give me an estimated value, I own the 2012 standard catalog of firearms 22nd edition and after my personal research believed that my revolver was in fact a "chiefs special airweight" well the "expert" at Cabelas offered me $200.00, and I felt deeply insulted! I said to this guy "thats a pretty low offer for a chiefs special airweight, don't you think" by the way the gun is in excellent condition, immaculate, I doubt 20 rounds been through it. The Cabelas guy says " that's not a chiefs special! So I ask "well what do you think it is?" he replied well the chiefs special didn't come in an alloy your gun is alloy, a cheap mass produced revolver. So I respectfully ask "ok, so what is the model? He replied " it's an airweight, a model airweight." at this point I know from all my research that he is off his wagon or at least I think he is, then his collegue says "it's probably like a model 38." at this point I tell them "I'd rather keep the gun than give it away!"
So here I am to see what you guys think, this is what I have I'm looking for a definitive date of manufacture and model name/number. Value is not important to me.
Serial numbers:
Bottom of handle 644xx
Bottom of barrel 644xx
Cylinder 644xx
Crane 148xx
Yoke 148xx
It has 2 bolts holding side plate
1 screw for grips
The grips are checkered wood with a diamond around the screw.
5 shot
Stenciled on gun:
Airweight
.38 spl. Ctg
Made in USA Marcus registradus smith and wesson Springfield mass.
The barrel and cylinder has a slightly different color/tint than the frame
The cylinder release is long and flat with vertical serrations
It does have a spurred hammer and the end sight is fixed.
If I can figure out how to post a pic I will soon thanks for the help,
Iron
So here I am to see what you guys think, this is what I have I'm looking for a definitive date of manufacture and model name/number. Value is not important to me.
Serial numbers:
Bottom of handle 644xx
Bottom of barrel 644xx
Cylinder 644xx
Crane 148xx
Yoke 148xx
It has 2 bolts holding side plate
1 screw for grips
The grips are checkered wood with a diamond around the screw.
5 shot
Stenciled on gun:
Airweight
.38 spl. Ctg
Made in USA Marcus registradus smith and wesson Springfield mass.
The barrel and cylinder has a slightly different color/tint than the frame
The cylinder release is long and flat with vertical serrations
It does have a spurred hammer and the end sight is fixed.
If I can figure out how to post a pic I will soon thanks for the help,
Iron