Early swing-out cylinder revolver. No front lockup for action. Release on left side of frame. Chambered for the new cartridge .38 S&W Special. Has 6-shot fluted cylinder. Offered with 4, 5, 6, 6 1/2-in. barrels. Finish is blued or nickel-plated; grips are checkered walnut or hard rubber. Manufactured between 1899-1902: serial number range 1-20975.

Produced 1,000 in 1900. .38 S&W Special, 6-in. barrel, blued with checkered walnut grips. "U.S.N." stamped on butt. Serial number range 5000 to 6000.

Produced 1,000 in 1901. Same as Navy Model except marked "U.S.Army/Model 1899" on butt. "K.S.M." and "J.T.T." on grips. Serial number range 13001 to 14000.

Similar to the Victory model made for the British Commonwealth countries. .38 S&W with 200-grain bullet, 4.5- or 6-in. barrels. Typically will have British military marks. A significant number of these were converted to .38 Special for sale back to the American market, and these will bring less than original caliber guns.

The 2nd Model is similar in appearance to the 1st Model. Major difference is the addition of the front lockup under the barrel and ejector rod was increased in diameter. Barrel lengths were 4, 5, 6 or 6.5 in.; Offered in round butt only configuration. Approximately 12,827 manufactured 1902-1903; serial number range 20976-33803.

Built from 1903-1905. This variation represents change to the square butt, which made for better shooting control and standardized frame shape. Available in 4-, 5- or 6.5-in. barrel lengths. Manufactured 28,645. Serial number range 33804-62449.

A continuation of .38 M&P Hand Ejector series. Built from 1905 to 1906. Available in 4-, 5-, 6- and 6.5-in. barrels. Finished in blue or nickel, with round or square butt. The .38-caliber serial number range 62450-73250, with about 10,800 produced. Note: Prices for the following four variations will be the same as those noted above.

Produced from 1906-1908. Barrel lengths, finish and butt styles like original model of 1905. The 1st change was produced in serial number range 73251-120000, with 46,749 made.

Produced from 1908-1909. Only internal changes were made to this model. Best approach to differentiate this model is by serial number. The serial number range is from 120001-146899, with 26,898 produced.

Produced from 1909 to 1915. The 3rd Change variation available only in 4- or 6-in. barrel lengths. The .38-caliber serial number range between 146900-241703, with 94,803 made.

Last variation was also the longest production run. Produced from 1915-1942. Barrel lengths: 2, 4, 5 or 6 in.; The .38-caliber serial number range is from 241704-1000000.

Manufactured during WWII, with sandblasted and Parkerized finish, lanyard swivel and smooth walnut grips. Serial number has a V prefix. Available only in 2- and 4-in. barrel lengths. Victory Model discontinued April 27, 1945, with serial number VS811119. Note: Add 75% premium for topstrap marked Navy; 100% premium for Navy variation with both topstrap and side plate marked; 125% premium for Navy variation marked "N.Y.M.I."; unknown premium amount for revolvers marked "U.S.G.C." or "U.S.M.C.". Exercise caution.

Very similar to the Victory model made from the British Commonwealth countries. .38 S&W with 200-grain bullet, 4-, 5- or 6-in. barrels. Value will be less for revolvers converted to .38 Special.

Manufactured from 1951 to 1957 for the U.S. Air Force on the thinner Model 12 aluminum K-frame. Chambered in .38 Special and have an alloy frame and cylinder. Pilots and other flight-crew members carried them for emergency use. The Air Force ultimately rejected the model because of problems encountered with the alloy cylinder, and most were destroyed. Because of this, the Aircrewman is one of the rarest modern-day Smith & Wesson revolvers. Serial numbers in C247000 to C406000 range. It is not known how many still exist, but estimated at 250. Genuine model is seldom seen for sale. Numerous fakes have been documented, so it is strongly suggested that a knowledgeable S&W expert be consulted for an appraisal.

A few (605) "Baby" Aircrewman 5-shot revolvers with an A.F.No. xxxx serial number were made on the S&W J-frame, and it is believed that fewer than 15 of these guns still exist. Because of the rarity of these two models and few actual transactions that have occurred in recent years, it is not possible to list meaningful values. Another 605 were made on the “K” frame with the same serial number prefix; fewer than 10 of these are known to exist intact. Reported Rock Island Auction sales of Baby Aircrewmen: 2016 - $25,875; 2020 - $36,000; 2021 - $40,250 (Excellent condition).

I-frame (slightly shorter than J-frame) in .38 S&W, five-shot, 4” barrel. Round butt grip frame with square butt wood grips. S/n 1 to 54474, 1917-1940.

Similar to above. S/n 54475 to 122678, 1949-1957.

Similar to above. S/n 54475 to 122678, 1949-1957.

Similar to above. S/n 54475 to 122678, 1949-1957.

.38 Special, postwar production with a new safety hammer block with “S” serial prefix and later became a “C” serial prefix. Many variations.

Chambered in .38 S&W. Made postwar for the British Commonwealth countries. “S” and “C” serial number prefix. Never cataloged.

.38 Special. Thinner K Frame size with an aluminum alloy frame and cylinder, later changed to a steel cylinder in 1954. Produced from 1952-1957 with the introduction of model numbers to be known as the Model 12. “C” serial prefix. Commonly with 2- and 4-in. barrels with 1 known factory 5-in.

.38 Special, 6-shot w/6-in. barrel, “K” serial prefix, with Patridge front sight.

.38 Special, 6-shot w/4-in. barrel with combat front sight “K” serial prefix.

.38 Special. Introduction of the J-Frame with 5-shot cylinder. In its own serial range. Sports either a 2-in. barrel or with low production of 3-in. and target models later known as the Model 50. Premium for 3” barrel or target sights. See listings for Model 36 and Model 50.

.38 Special, J-Frame size 5-shot aluminum frame and early alloy cylinders, later changes to steel. Models with 2- and some production of 3-in. barrels.

.38 Special J-frame size with a shrouded hammer. 5-shot, steel cylinders only, 2- and rare 3-in. barrels.

.38 Special, J-frame size, Fully concealed hammer, 5-shot steel frame and cylinder. 2-in. only.

.38 Special, J-frame size, fully concealed hammer, 5-shot aluminum frame, and early aluminum cylinder (37 made with aluminum cylinder) changed to steel. 2” only.

The .38-44 cartridge was a souped-up version of the .38 Special, loaded in the same case, and S&W introduced these N-frame revolvers to handle these heavy loads. There is significant collector interest in these post-WWII transitional models, and this section will be expanded in future editions. For now, we’ll list values ranges for the more common models, along with price adjustment to be made for the more rare pieces. Heavy Duty models have fixed sights and Outdoorsman models have adjustable sights. Also see listings for Model 20 and Model 23.

25% premium for 6.5-in. barrel or post-war transition model.

25% premium for post-war transition models.