Both the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (second edition) and Ftjestad's Blue Book list 59,400 Perfecteds being made between 1909 and 1920 with serial numbers 1-59400. It was S&W's last top break revolver model. Smith and wesson 686 no dash serial numbers. Smith and wesson 686 no dash serial numbers Smith and wesson 686 no dash serial numbers. Manufacture date of smith and Wesson serial? You must provide a detailed description and the serial number. What is manufacture date of Smith and Wesson with serial? Feb 12, 2012 How to Identify/Date a S&W. Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Pilgrim, Jun 5, 2009.
- Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup
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Smith Wesson 5906 Serial Number Date Of Manufacture Code Today, Smith & Wesson is mostly known for revolvers and their growing line of M&P pistols. Despite the rapidly growing popularity of these polymer-framed striker fired semi-auto pistols, there’s also a lot of buzz around the former metal-framed S&W pistols that were discontinued a few.
Smith and Wesson Serial Number Date of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1 1952 = 7369 - 21342. Please enter the serial number below. Please enter the serial number below. Smith and wesson model 60 serial number dates 38 special, 2 in. Pinned barrel, stainless. R prefix serial number dates it to 1969. 60 no dash the.38 chiefs special, j frame round butt serial number 477362 year of manufacture there is. We do not have time to answer questions about serialization. Smith & Wesson will issue a letter for a $50 fee. 1980 AAA 1981 AAD 2120 Oct 1982 AAF9000 Dec. 1982 ABL3 3999 Jan. 1983 ABL 40000 Oct. 1983 ADE 6700 Dec. 1983 ADT 2999 Jan 1984 ADT 3000 AET prefix 66-2 Grips dated 5/13/83 HG7568 from 2012 Nov. 1984 AEV-ARJ Jan. 1985 AHA 0667 Jul.
I know you’ve been on the edge of your seat hoping for Part 2 of The Quest for the Ideal Carry Revolver. Unfortunately, thanks to nasty winter weather and the past week’s wild ammo market, I haven’t been to the range much lately. So until I get more trigger time with the revolvers I’m trying out, enjoy my best attempt at deciphering Smith & Wesson’s revolver catalog.
We got some good feedback on our reference guide to 1st-3rd Gen S&W Semi-Autos, so for our Wheel Gun Wednesday series I thought I’d put together a similar chart for all of the S&W revolvers. And that’s exactly what I would have done except Smith & Wesson’s revolver model numbers have all been assigned by a mad genius. Sometimes there appears to be a logical numbering system at work, but it’s applied inconsistently, and varies from one product line to the next.
So instead of one big comprehensive chart for every Smith & Wesson revolver ever made, I’m offering this smaller bite-sized chunk: every post-1957 .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolver from S&W that officially entered full-scale production.
Why 1957? That’s the year when S&W switched over to assigning model numbers to each revolver rather than identifying them only by unique names (e.g., “Registered Magnum” or “Combat Masterpiece”). The nicknames still remained in many cases, but they could refer to a family or series of revolvers with similar characteristics.
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Year
In the charts below, I’ve grouped the models by frame size and then by series. Where possible, I’ve listed the defining features of each series. For each model, there’s information about its caliber, frame material, sights, finish, and ammo capacity. Here’s a handy key for how to read the chart:
Series Name: Some of these names were used in the actual S&W catalog but others are just nicknames. S&W stopped using some of these names, even when production of the model continued. For example, the “Military & Police” designation was dropped from the K-frame revolvers years ago (and recycled for their polymer semi-autos and AR rifles), but I’ve kept the designation in the chart for all revolvers that fit the original M&P criteria.
Series Features: Each series is identified by some unique features that don’t typically apply to other models of that frame size.
Caliber: For this post, all models are .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Most S&W .38 Special revolvers can handle +P ammo, but the +P designation doesn’t appear on the barrel of some older models so it’s always best to contact S&W customer service and verify that it’s safe.
Frame Material: S&W has used a variety of metals to construct their revolvers over the years but the frames all have been either steel or a lightweight aluminum alloy. Some variants of the alloy guns contain Scandium for an even lighter overall weight. The absolute lightest S&W revolver have also included a Titanium cylinder. I’ve noted the use of Sc or Ti on the chart when the only available version of a given model use those alloys. Other alloy frame guns listed on the charts may have Sc frame or Ti cylinder variants that exist in addition to the standard aluminum or steel versions.
Model Number: The model number assigned to the product without any prefixes or suffixes (with the exception of the “Plus” model L-frames).
Sights: Sights can be fixed or adjustable. The fixed sights are generally a ramp style front sight with a gutter in the top strap to form the rear sight. S&W has used a variety of adjustable rear sights over the years, but most have a removable blade insert. Front sights on models with the adjustable rear can be the traditional ramp style machined into the barrel, but newer front sights are pinned, and can be removed and replaced with aftermarket front sights.
Finish: For the sake of simplicity, I’ve only used the labels “black” or “stainless” on the chart. Black can refer to a matte black finish or a glossy blue finish. Older models with a blue finish were often also available with a shiny nickel plated finish. Stainless can refer to the polished or matte stainless steel revolvers, or alloy revolvers with a silver matte finish that mimics the stainless steel look.
Ammo Capacity: All J-frame .38 Special and .357 magnum revolvers have a five-round capacity. K-frames all have six. L-frames can hold six or seven shots depending on the model. Older N-frame designs have a six-round capacity but the newer ones hold eight.
Other Info: I’ve tried to keep the chart as complete as possible while still being readable. That said, there is still information you won’t be able to find here. The most significant omission is barrel length. Almost every model has been offered in multiple barrel lengths at some point but availability varies. The more common barrel lengths are listed in the summary for each frame size.
I also haven’t listed the variants available for each model. If a model number contains a suffix like “PD” or “Lady Smith”, it might mean that it has features that distinguish it from other models in the same series. Here’s an incomplete list of the more common variants and some other suffixes you might see on model numbers:
- PD: “Personal Defense”. Usually indicates Scandium alloy frame.
- Sc: Indicates frame with Scandium Alloy.
- Ti: Titanium Cylinder. Usually accompanied by Scandium alloy frame.
- Lady Smith: Name given to a number of variants in different calibers and frame sizes. Usually accompanied by special grips and engraving.
- Airweight: Indicates an Aluminum alloy frame.
- Airlite: Indicates a Scandium alloy frame.
- Night Guard (NG): Series introduced in 2008 with models in various calibers and frame sizes. All have a 2.5-inch barrel, alloy frame, steel cylinder, Tritium front sight, and a removable Cylinder and Slide brand fixed rear sight.
J-Frame
The J-frame S&W revolver has become so ubiquitous that the term is often used as a generic reference to almost any small frame snub nosed revolver. The most common barrel length for a J-frame is 1 ⅞” but 3-inch models are also plentiful along with some other less common sizes.
J-Frame model numbers are determined by frame material, hammer/action type, and finish. Unlike K and L frame revolvers, S&W doesn’t use a separate model number for J-frames with adjustable versus fixed sights.
A few J-frame models started out as being offered in only .38 special, but in the mid-1990s, were beefed up to handle .357 magnum. I’ve included each of these multi-caliber models as two separate entries in the chart.
The three major J-frame model series are as follows:
- Chief’s special: Standard hammer. Most have fixed sights but a few have been offered with adjustable sights.
- Bodyguard: The original S&W Bodyguard. They include a hammer shroud with a small protrusion that allows the user to cock the hammer for single action shots.
- Centennial: This is the name generally given to all “hammerless” S&W revolvers. They aren’t literally hammerless, but the hammer is completely internal, which means these revolvers can only be fired in double action.
K-Frame
The classic S&W K-frame is one of Smith & Wesson’s most enduring designs. Picture a typical 20th century policeman’s “service revolver” and it probably looks a lot like a K-frame with a 4-inch barrel. These mid-size revolvers have also been offered with long 6-inch barrels for target models, and 3-inch, 2.5-inch, and 2-inch snub nose versions for concealment.
Model numbers are based on finish, caliber, and whether the gun has fixed or adjustable sights.
How To Date Smith And Wesson By Serial Number
There have been three major series of .38 Special and .357 magnum K-frames along with a couple of unique models:
- Military & Police: The original K-frame. They have fixed sights and no underlug or shroud around the ejector rod. The .357 magnum versions were added to the catalog along with the Combat Magnum series.
- Combat Masterpiece: Essentially identical to the M&P line, but with the addition of adjustable sights. The model 68 — a special run for the California Highway Patrol — also includes a shrouded ejector rod.
- Combat Magnum: These are the .357 versions of the Combat Masterpiece. The Combat Magnums have a shrouded ejector rod as standard.
- Target Masterpiece: Target guns with adjustable sites and typically offered with a 6-inch barrel, but also available with 4-inch and 8 ⅜-inch barrels. The later models added a full underlug to the barrel.
- Alloy K-frames: The only non-steel K-frame revolvers have been the 12 and 315. The Model 12 was offered for many years as a lightweight version of the model 10, but was discontinued in 1986. The 315 was offered for a very short time in 2008 as a part of the Night Guard series with a 2.5-inch barrel and upgraded sights. By some estimates, fewer than 1000 were ever produced.
Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup
L-Frame
The medium-large L-frame .357 models came along in the early 1980s as a bridge between the hefty N-frames and the smaller K-frames. Common barrel lengths are similar to the K-frames, with the 4-inch models being the most common and 6-inch, 3-inch, and 2.5-inch versions also available.
Also similar to the K-frame revolvers, the L-frame model numbers are determined by sights, finish, and frame material.
S&W has used the L-frame for a lot of its more innovative and experimental models. The 586 and 686 “plus” models were among the first 7-shot medium-frame revolvers on the market, and several lightweight alloy L-frames have been produced at various times.
- Distinguished Combat Magnum: These are the flagship models of the L-frame line. They feature a full barrel underlug, steel frame, and adjustable sights.
- Distinguished Service Magnum: Nearly identical to the Combat Magnum, only with fixed sights.
- 619 & 620: These two were introduced as a replacement for the K-frame .357 models that S&W discontinued in the early 2000s. They are very similar to the 681/686, but have a slimmer barrel profile with a shrouded ejector rod rather than a full underlug.
- 520: Not to be confused with the short-lived N-frame model 520. This was essentially an alloy framed version of the 620.
- 386: The model with no name. There have been several versions of the 386, each with its own name and features. The common attributes are an alloy frame with a black finish and adjustable sights. With the exception of the 386 PD, all have had a 7-shot cylinder.
- 242: The only “Centennial” hammerless Smith & Wesson that’s not a J-frame. Designed for concealed carry, it’s also the only L-frame chambered in .38 Special rather than .357 Magnum.
N-Frame
Smith And Wesson Serial Number Lookup
The S&W Model 27 N-Frame was the original platform for the .357 Magnum cartridge. The design proved to be durable, but it’s considered large and heavy for a 6-shooter by today’s standards. With modern metals, S&W has managed to cram eight rounds into the newer N-frame .357s.
What Year Smith Wesson Serial Number
Available barrel lengths for N-frame revolvers have varied widely over the years, and include 3 1/2-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch, 6-inch, and 8 3/8-inch models, among others.
Smith And Wesson Age By Serial Number
- The Original Magnums: The Model 27 was the original .357 and was initially called the “Registered Magnum”. It has a deep blue finish, shrouded ejector, and adjustable sights. The budget model 28 “Highway Patrolman” has all the same features, but with a few minor changes, such as a slightly less polished finish.
- 8-Shot Magnums: Neither the alloy 327 or the steel 627 have had an official name. Both of these 8-shot N-frames have been offered with various features and barrel lengths.
- Military & Police: In 1980, the New York State Police ordered a model 27 with fixed sights. The ordered was never delivered, and a few thousand of these ended up in the general market. In 2005, S&W recycled the model number 520 for an alloy L-frame .357.
Work in Progress
I am by no means an expert on Smith & Wesson revolvers. Most of this information is just stuff I’ve picked up from window shopping for Smith & Wesson revolvers over the years. I’ve tried to verify and flesh out the info using other sources like the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, but there are probably some omissions and errors in there somewhere. If you spot one, be sure to let me know. I’ll be checking on this post periodically and will update it with corrections and additions when I have the chance.
S&W Dates of Manufacture I have some S&Ws that I cannot seem to narrow the date of manufacture down any farther and don't want to send off for a letter for each, either. I figure we have enough experts around here that may have better resources available to them than just the internet and an old S&W book to help, and was hoping some of you may be more successful than I. Decoding the serial number on a Smith & Wesson firearm requires some research, as several codes were utilized for guns manufactured before and after World War Two. Reading the serial number is appealing for gun owners because the letters and numbers can reveal the year of manufacture and the rarity of the weapon. Seems like a quick internet search is all that's required to match a serial number to a manufacture date. But not Smith & Wesson. I do realize they weren't good about keeping them in order and that a higher serial number doesn't always mean a later manufacture date. Look up the pistol's full serial number -- including all letters and numbers -- in the back section of the 'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' book. These listings inform you of the pistol's date of manufacture, based on the serial number. S&W Model 36 Date of Manufacture. Ok, here's one I just picked up. Smith and Wesson Model 36 (no dash) with adjustable sights with Serial # 391XXX. Help dating the gun would be appreciated. Sorry for the repeat post, but I think I was getting lost in the shuffle of the other thread.
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S&W serial#/date of manf.
Where can I find a list telling the manufacture date for the serial number on a S&W model 36 Chief Special?
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for $30 the factory offers a 'Letter of Authenticity' for your pistol.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w..ectionId=10504
other than that, ive heard its hard to date a s+w exactly due to them using a strange numbering system. dont know for sure if its true or not.- Join Date
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Thanks for the info. I searched the web and found nothing of help. I may have to pay the piper.
Thanks again.
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I don't know about the exact date but, I called Smith and gave them my Sn. and they told me the year.
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Huntingguy, that sounds good. Do you have the number you called?
I have mine and my uncles mod 36. I know when I bought mine and I have a vague idea of when my uncle bought his. He's dead now so I can't ask.
How did you find the number if you don't still have it?
If all else fails I will join and seek the info on the S&W site above.- Join Date
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Huntingguy, that sounds good. Do you have the number you called?I think I just called S&W customer service.
I have mine and my uncles mod 36. I know when I bought mine and I have a vague idea of when my uncle bought his. He's dead now so I can't ask.
How did you find the number if you don't still have it?
If all else fails I will join and seek the info on the S&W site above.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w..ectionId=10504
By Telephone:
1-800-331-0852 (USA)
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time
The number is from the link above. I am pretty sure that is the one I called. I had an early J frame I wanted to convert to a 32HR so I called.. It is possible I got in contact with the custom shop.. (No they wouldn't convert it..)- Join Date
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Thanks huntinguy, I'll call them monday.
Why don't you reline the barrel and make a new cylinder???
My dad had a S&W .32 kit gun with a 4' barrel. The kit gun is a J frame. You may be able to find a kit gun with a snub barrel or you could snub it yourself.
I ended up with dads guns and gave the kit gun to my sister.- Join Date
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It is the same gun as you mentioned but with a three inch barrel. The gun is perfect, not even a wear mark. Maybe it has 100 rounds through it.
My daughter (13) shot it a few times then it went back to its owner. I thought it was going to stay with me, that is when I called Smith. I just wanted a little more power out of it.
I really like the 32. great kids gun, makes bigger holes than a 22. impresses the kids more.
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The Smith & Wesson company was formed in 1852, in Norwich, Connecticut. The company's first offering was a lever-action repeating pistol. Moving forward from those beginnings, Smith & Wesson shaped innovations in the manufacturing of modern handguns. As of March 2011, Smith & Wesson offers approximately 110 different pistols of varied designs and features.
Smith and Wesson pistol
Smith & Wesson catalog
Get a basic idea of whether your Smith & Wesson pistol was manufactured at a very early date or a later date by identifying the letters from A to Z in the serial number. The letter 'A' denotes a pistol manufactured at a very early date. The letters continue on through the alphabet, for pistols manufactured at later dates.
The numbers in the Smith & Wesson serial numbers are random numbers.
Examine the barrel of the Smith & Wesson pistol. Locate either 'Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts' or 'Smith & Wesson; Houlton, ME' stamped on the barrel. Download ati windows gamer edition x64 java. This identification proves that the handgun is an authentic Smith & Wesson pistol.
Locate the serial number on the left side of the pistol's frame. The standard location for the serial number is above the trigger guard. Some serial numbers are located underneath the frame in front of the trigger guard. Others are on the rear of the frame, above the gun's grip.
Look up the pistol's full serial number -- including all letters and numbers -- in the back section of the 'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' book. These listings inform you of the pistol's date of manufacture, based on the serial number.
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Smith Wesson Serial Number Identification
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Manufacture Date
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