Age of Mod 19-3 S&W ?

C.R.Sam · July 16, 2000, 12:15 AM

I haven't been able to find anything useful on the S&W site.

Have 19-3, 6", all Ts, short lug, ser# 7K97XXX. Wonder what ball park year of manufacture is.

Appreciate any help.

Thanks, Sam....follow me, I know a shortcut

fal308 · July 16, 2000, 08:57 AM

Not positive but I believe your Model 19-3 was made in late 1975 or very early 1976.

C.R.Sam · July 16, 2000, 06:31 PM

fal308...I woulda thought like you but I found a -4 that was SOLD in 75. The -4 has different ser# format. Two digits before the K and only four digits after the K. Then to further confuse myself, just found record of having sold a -3, new in 69 that had no digits before the K903XXX.

Sam, I may be old but at least I confuse easily.

[This message has been edited by C.R.Sam (edited July 16, 2000).]

James K · July 16, 2000, 10:38 PM

It looks like you are trying to make the S&W serial numbers track with change numbers. There is no correlation. Serial number patterns were usually changed when the numbers "rolled over". That had nothing to do with the change number like "-5".

Jim

C.R.Sam · July 17, 2000, 12:45 AM

Hi Jim
Let me throw out the dash four.

I sold a 19-3 ser# K903XXX...6 digits behind the K and nothing in front of the K. That came from S+W on 11-69.

I am trying to date a 19-3 ser# 7K97XXX...5 digits behind the K.

Sam

fal308 · July 17, 2000, 07:35 AM

I just have a pocket-size serial number, frame description and production engineering changes booklet so it is of necessity very brief. But according to it the K-frame had no prefix before the K (i.e.K 231255) up to 1970. In 1970 they started with 1Kxx after they produced K 999999. They progressed up thru single digit prefixes until 1977 when they went to 10K 0001. Sometime in 1981 they went to the three digit prefix. My booklet lists 91K 6801 - 124K 000. But it also states that in 10/82 they began the 3 letter prefix. Go figure.

C.R.Sam · July 17, 2000, 07:43 PM

fal308, sho glad I like it so much, tis indeed a tad confusing.

I do appreciate your digging. FN FAL is a loved family member also.

Sam

July 16, 2000, 12:15 AM	#1
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	I haven't been able to find anything useful on the S&W site. Have 19-3, 6", all Ts, short lug, ser# 7K97XXX. Wonder what ball park year of manufacture is. Appreciate any help. Thanks, Sam....follow me, I know a shortcut

July 16, 2000, 08:57 AM	#2
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	Not positive but I believe your Model 19-3 was made in late 1975 or very early 1976.

July 16, 2000, 06:31 PM	#3
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	fal308...I woulda thought like you but I found a -4 that was SOLD in 75. The -4 has different ser# format. Two digits before the K and only four digits after the K. Then to further confuse myself, just found record of having sold a -3, new in 69 that had no digits before the K903XXX. Sam, I may be old but at least I confuse easily. [This message has been edited by C.R.Sam (edited July 16, 2000).]

July 16, 2000, 10:38 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It looks like you are trying to make the S&W serial numbers track with change numbers. There is no correlation. Serial number patterns were usually changed when the numbers "rolled over". That had nothing to do with the change number like "-5". Jim

July 17, 2000, 12:45 AM	#5
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Hi Jim Let me throw out the dash four. I sold a 19-3 ser# K903XXX...6 digits behind the K and nothing in front of the K. That came from S+W on 11-69. I am trying to date a 19-3 ser# 7K97XXX...5 digits behind the K. Sam

July 17, 2000, 07:35 AM	#6
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	I just have a pocket-size serial number, frame description and production engineering changes booklet so it is of necessity very brief. But according to it the K-frame had no prefix before the K (i.e.K 231255) up to 1970. In 1970 they started with 1Kxx after they produced K 999999. They progressed up thru single digit prefixes until 1977 when they went to 10K 0001. Sometime in 1981 they went to the three digit prefix. My booklet lists 91K 6801 - 124K 000. But it also states that in 10/82 they began the 3 letter prefix. Go figure.

July 17, 2000, 07:43 PM	#7
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	fal308, sho glad I like it so much, tis indeed a tad confusing. I do appreciate your digging. FN FAL is a loved family member also. Sam