@ 58-59 years old
45 years old
Made in 1953. Model Numbers did not come into use unitl @ 1957. Sounds like you have a Chief Special Airweight. Later numbered as a Model 37.
69-70
@ 1979
100-500 USD
My serial # is near yours and I purchased it new in 1968.
642
Up unitl @ 1957 model numbers were not used. Check inside the frame near the crane, it has a model number, it will be there.
1982
Airweight was the name S & W gave to their early aluminum alloy frame handguns. I believe that they were all built on their "J" frame, hence the J prefix. If your handgun has an exposed hammer it is a Model 37 Chief Special Airweight, if the hammer is covered by a shroud it is a Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight. I believe that the model # should be visable by opening the the cylinder and looking at the point where the cylinder yoke indexes when the when closed.
You will have to call S&W
Open your revolvers cylinder. Look at the forward hing of the cylinder under the barrel. The numbers you see under the barrel at the hing is your model number. Examples would be 642, 638, 442 ect. Sometimes there is a dash such as 642-3 or 638-3 but the first 3 numbers are the ones that matter the most. Could be the Chief's Special Airweight (standard 5-shot .38 Special with exposed hammer)or Bodyguard Airweight (same gun with humpback hammer shroud).