Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns How to date this revolver?

It's a S&W 2" barrel 38 special. 6 shot makes me think it's a model 10 of some sort. It's blued with wood grips, has airweight ctg stamped on barrel. It belonged to my uncle who died at the early age of 35 in 1976. Thing is in mint condition, would like to figure out date of manufacture

Probably a M12 if it’s an air weight Kframe. The frame is alloy, correct?

My guess as well.

The Air Force used to issue them to pilots.

Open the cylinder. What is stamped inside on the frame?

I'll have to check next time I visit my mom. She was complaining about how heavy it is( it's not). I brought a 9 shield & a couple of 380 cal. She decided to stick with the 38. I honestly forgot about the gun. Haven't touched it since I was a kid

Jiveturkey: By coincidence a law enforcement friend of mine gave ME a mint perfect Smith & Wesson Model 12 last year.
It came with tools and factory instruction pamphlet.
It appears unfired - but I did NOT want to look a gift horse in the mouth and inquire much about it.
All I know is it came from his Uncle who was in law enforcement as well.
My Model 12 (which I believe is the model you are inquiring about) is a 4" barrel model but the Model 12 was made in 2" barrel as well and is an aluminum framed 6 shot revolver, with fixed sights.
The Smith & Wesson Model 12's were made from 1953 to 1986.
So it is in the correct era from your Uncles ownership.
The serial number is needed and I will give you a much more exact date of manufacture.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I'll check on it Tuesday

Amazing how many Model 12 Smith and Wesson revolvers I've come across over the years in pawn shops and gun stores, and they are almost always in mint condition.

Yup. And cheap too.

Post the serial number located on the butt, xx out the last two digits if you want. Sounds like VarmintGuy has a standard catalog of S&W to look it up for you.

Got one of those a few feet away from my computer too, so it will be a race. LOL.

JiminIdaho: Yes I do have that reference book and am awaiting a reply from the original poster.

The Real Hawkeye: I am "on hold" here at home awaiting the two days late now lawn sprinkler repair-people.
They just called and will be here in an hour - we'll see about that.
Back to the Smith & Wesson Airweight Model 12's - these were popular back when I was "on the job" - especially among plainclothes detectives and agents. Also some popularity for off duty carry which was "mandatory 24/7" back then.
The lighter weight, the six round capacity and the reliability of those revolvers were its main selling points to us.
And again to your point - many of those detectives and "off-duty" guns did NOT get shot much!
The other reason for seeing minty Model 12's was they were often used as "bedside" guns by private citizens.
Anyway once these lawn control guys get through here I am headed back out Hunting and chasing ammo.
I will defer the serial number look-up to you in that case.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Candy is dandy,
Liquor is quicker.

Haven't had a chance to check, but I will soon. I'm interested in manufacture date

I got the serial #, put out an APB on VarmintGuy

So you don't want the info from me? Got the book right next to me.

Sorry TRH I already got VG on it. Should have results shortly

I know it's aluminum frame. I read an article that stated some had aluminum cylinders, and were not safe to fire. I call bs on that. I wouldn't fire +p, but standard 158 lead should be fine.

Okay, but he's going to give you fake info, just to mess with you. He does that all the time.

You're dealing with a Jiveturkey