October 4, 2012, 05:11 PM | #1 |
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S&W Serial Number Help
Guys;
First post and I need an assist. I just inherited an S&W model 30-1, blue with a 4 inch barrel. I'm trying to figure out when it was manufactured. It has two different s/n's on it...one on the yoke (79884) and a different one on the butt of the stock (796141). The gun was my farther-in-law's and it looks to be almost unfired. Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
October 4, 2012, 06:05 PM | #2 | |
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Jim Last edited by laytonj1; October 4, 2012 at 06:31 PM. Reason: added more info |
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October 5, 2012, 12:23 AM | #3 |
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I understand the main S/N is on the yoke just above the model number. In some pictures, I see another (different) number on the arm holding the cylinder. What number is that? Thanks
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October 5, 2012, 04:48 AM | #4 |
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Please excuse me if my terminology is not correct but the s/n that is one the cylinder swing out is 79884. The other side (stationary part) of the swing out has the model number, 30-1 stamped but no additional numbers. The other s/n (796141) is on the bottom of the handle.
Thanks for the attempts to help. |
October 5, 2012, 06:37 AM | #5 |
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The number on the butt is always the serial number. On earlier guns the number in the crane is an assembly number used only by the workers at the factory to keep the various components together during assembly.
On guns that typically came with target stocks that covered the base of the butt, they would stamp the serial number in the crane. Your 30-1 did not come with target stocks so the number in the crane is not relevant as a serial number. |
October 5, 2012, 06:53 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
The serial number on a S&W swing-out cylinder revolver is almost always found on the butt, i.e. the bottom of the grip frame. On some pre-WWII models that shipped with factory "extension stocks" or oversized grips that cover the butt, the serial number was stamped on the frontstrap above the butt. The number stamped in one of these two places is THE serial number. Differing numbers in other places should be disregarded. Other minor notes:
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October 5, 2012, 07:06 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
First, many postwar guns wearing oversize Target stocks did not ship with these stocks originally; they were added by a former owner. Second, there are numerous S&Ws floating around with incorrect numbers inside the yoke cut, and I used to own one of them- a Model 19-5. It appeared to have been built with an "8" inside the yoke cut where there was supposed to be a "9"; a factory inspector apparently caught the error and attempted to correct it by overstamping the bad digit with a "9", but since the two numbers are so similar in shape, the correction did NOT make things much clearer. In cases where the numbers do not match, the number on the butt or frontstrap is treated as definitive. ALWAYS check the butt or frontstrap!
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"Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak Last edited by carguychris; October 5, 2012 at 07:08 AM. Reason: minor reword |
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October 5, 2012, 10:12 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Not relevant to this discussion, but I'm mystified by a gun maker would stamp "assembly" numbers into parts that appear directly adjacent to the key S/N |
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October 5, 2012, 02:07 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
While it may have other numbers (assembly / inspector) and the SN stamped on other areas, the grip butt is still the "go to" location. Jim |
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October 5, 2012, 04:39 PM | #10 |
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How hard all this stuff on S&W revolvers is to remember....why most of us buy a copy of the "Standard Catalog of S&W " .... 3rd edition is the latest one ( 400 + pages ) of great info on all these great guns...
Its a great addition to anyone's gun library ...in my view.../ they're about $ 40 ....but I routinely see them at my local gun shows for around $ 30...( its a gun digest book / by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.. ( cover says over 770 Models in 6 grades of condition ).... |
October 5, 2012, 05:09 PM | #11 |
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All good information, so I've concluded that the s/n to use is the one on the grip butt. That one is 796141. Can one of you smart fellers provide any information about that particular number?
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October 7, 2012, 08:46 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
Jim |
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October 8, 2012, 08:58 AM | #13 |
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Nothing...I just overlooked the previous post. Thanks for the help.
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October 10, 2012, 02:20 PM | #14 |
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AFAIK, the only S&W that had the serial stamped on the front strap was the Regulation Police Model, which always came with wood "filler" stocks to make it round butt. Those guns also have a "step" in the backstrap, the only S&W's to have that. Its purpose is, again AFAIK, not known at this time though there has been speculation.
One point that confuses folks. S&W (with the above exception) ALWAYS put the serial number on the butt. But at times, Colt put theirs on and under the crane, where S&W put its assembly numbers. Jim |
October 10, 2012, 06:03 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
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