Smith and Wesson serial number search

[Sevens]

If your revolver is indeed the single alpha "K" and six-digit number 355xxx, then the table shows production to be 1959. I would imagine that it's a real sweetheart! I own a worked-over custom Model 10 that predates it by a mere 3 years and it is truly amazing.

The Model 15 is a K-frame and very much like a Model 10, but with adjustable sights. Also according to the book I am using, your revolver might be either a Model 15 no-dash or a dash-1 variant. On the frame where the yoke closes, it should say either "Model 15" or "Model 15-1." The biggest difference here is that Smith & Wesson changed the extractor rod threading from a right hand twist to a (better!) left hand twist. This matters to you because the earlier revolvers had somewhat of a natural tendency to unscrew their rods simply because of the natural turning of the cylinder.

When a Smith & Wesson ejector rod loosens up -- it can feel like the revolver is wrecked if you have never experienced it before. Depending on how much it has loosened, it can lock up a very fine handgun like a bank vault, loaded or otherwise. The good news is that no damage has occurred if it's simply the ejector rod, but with this earlier right hand thread before they changed it... it pays for you to be aware of it.

Wish to know more about your Model 15?
Take some pictures and open up a new discussion thread in the "REVOLVERS" area of this site and you'll get many fans and folks to comment and discuss it.

Value is best discussed in another thread, but keep in mind that there are *MILLIONS* of Smith & Wesson K-frame .38 revolvers, it is the single most-produced handgun in history. As such, it is a phenomenal handgun, but for "collector value" to be high, it must have rare, odd features and also be in mint or very nearly mint condition. Generally speaking and not knowing specifically your revolver, the value here is going to be pride of ownership and the knowledge that you have one of the finest platforms ever built. For it to be extremely valuable would be to defy odds. Certainly possible.

[EvilleMicro]

Thank you for the add TFL. Long time reader, first time posting.

Having seen the reference to The Complete Catalog For Smith and Wesson, I have looked up the online version and unfortunately, pages 398 and 399 are omitted. I'm trying to find the DOB (and perhaps value) for two revolvers I've recently acquired.

The first is a S&W Stainless .44 Special CTG Model 624 - SN AHB15xx in good condition. The other is a S&W Blue .357 Magnum Model 19-4 - SN 71K34xx in pristine condition.

Any information you might be able to share with me until I can get to the library to check out the catalog would be greatly appreciated.

[Sevens]

S&W Stainless .44 Special CTG Model 624 - SN AHB15xx

Between January and July, 1985

S&W Blue .357 Magnum Model 19-4 - SN 71K34xx

1980

Values are difficult, very much as noted in my post just above. The Model 19 is a very, very much loved and desired revolver and being in pristine shape certainly helps, but it's miles from rare and a 1980 build date is a fine one but not one that generates ridiculous collector interest. It also depends very, very much on the local market and the accoutrements, if you have the original box, cleaning rod, etc etc. Where I live and the areas I buy and sell in, just the revolver in "pristine" shape (assuming you haven't missed anything! ) would certainly bring around $800 or more... --if-- you were a dealer or sitting behind a table at the right gun show. And it would bring less if you were simply a guy trying to sell, and if you were selling it -TO- a dealer, he would break your heart.

The Model 624 is a different animal because they didn't make nearly the volume of these and they didn't make them for many years. Suffice to say, it would be far more advantageous if your 624 were pristine rather than the Model 19. This one would be very difficult to place a price on because of all of those factors, but I expect that if you were to sell both of them on the same day to the same buyer, the 624 is perhaps carrying a bit more weight, assuming there are no complete condition FAILURES, such as dings in the metal, broken parts, alterations, etc etc.

I sometimes find it a bit troubling to discuss "value" because it can be a harsh environment and quite often, it simply doesn't speak to the intrinsic value of the extremely fine handguns were are talking about. the Model 19 is one of the most loved revolvers in the history of humankind, and that's not by accident, so when we have to slice & dice it down to a number, it often seems like the true "value" gets lost.

Like I said above in another post--
If you want a better idea of the history of your revolvers and some more insight in to value, open a new thread in the REVOLVER area of the site and include pictures. We very much love to discuss these things, wheelgun guys will flock to them, especially if you upload a picture or two.

You have a couple of great revolvers.

[Sevens]

Helpful and/or interesting link:

http://fugatefirearms.com/
These guys operate in a world of absolutely top-notch, top-drawer, top-tier firearms. I believe Smith & Wesson is their specialty, but I could be mistaken.

These gentlemen likely love and enjoy all older Smith & Wesson, but a great 92% grade gun that almost any one of us would LOVE to call our own is just not the environment they spend their energy on, unless it's very old or exceedingly rare. Many of the guns that Fugate works with are like time capsules. Imagine going back to 1955 and buying a Smith & Wesson in the kind of condition it would arrive to the hardware store in BEFORE the idiot son of the store owner had a chance to drool on it.

That's the kind of things that Fugate works with. I've had a chance to have a conversation with one of the brothers and the man is a walking encyclopedia and I thought it was extremely gracious of him to help me value a very old and interesting Smith & Wesson I was tasked with moving.

Check them out for just one perspective of "value."

[EvilleMicro]

Thank you so much! The manufacture dates were of more interest than necessity, and the value question was perhaps more rhetorical than assessing.

The 624 belonged to my younger brother who recently passed before his time. It is a nice piece, and the "good" condition was more due to swirls in the stainless than dings. It's tight and holds a good group. I'm proud to own it!

The 19-4 actually belongs to a lady friend of mine who's brother also passed recently. She has gotten her permit and wishes to carry, but the .357 with it's 6" barrel doesn't conceal very well, so she's interested in something a little more compact.

Value has a couple of different definitions; what it's worth to the heart, and what someone else will give you for it. As for the 624, I'll own it until my son inherits it when I pass. The 19-4 will trade nicely for something my friend can find security with. Her brother would have wanted it that way, and I'll help her along the way.

Again, thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge. You're correct, both revolvers are very nice pieces, and they'll serve their current purposes well.

Mike

[S.billy]

Model 29-2 n621xxx 4" nickel thanks billy

[patreojames]

Purchased my first Smith and Wesson, model 64-2 stainless steel, serial #ANT27XX. Date of manufacture would be appreciated.

[laytonj1]

Model 29-2 n621xxx 4" nickel

N6xxxxx range ran from 1979 to 1980.

model 64-2 stainless steel, serial #ANT27XX

1986/87.

Jim

[S.billy]

Thanks Jim it put it a year or two older than me. There is nothing like a smith revolver

[Uncle Ethan]

The pistol is pretty nice, but I'm not sure when it was manufactured. The serial number is K 284xxx. I read the beginning of this thread and I will buy the book, but I'm not sure how many of these S&W put out a year. My S&W with a 8 3/8 barrel was mfged in 1955 I believe. That pistol is K243xxx I believe. Any idea when the K 284xxx was made? Thanks in advance.

[laytonj1]

Uncle Ethan,

K284xxx = 1956.
K243xxx = 1955.

Jim

[WE0H]

Got a new used 'wheel gun yesterday
Model 15-2 4" S/N K627xxx
Incredibly light single action trigger, seriously smooth double action pull. Holster wear on the very end of the barrel and high spots on the cylinder with bluing loss Still a cool revolver that will be passed onto my son when my days are over.

Many thanks,
Mike

[laytonj1]

Model 15-2 4" S/N K627xxx

1965.

Jim

[WE0H]

Thank you Jim

Mike

[ZMBKLN]

Thank you Sevens for that excellent information...

I'll definitely be taking some pics and looking to learn more.

[Viper99]

Hello all,
Purchased S&W 624 AHB7XXX
Thanks for the info.

[laytonj1]

S&W 624 AHB7XXX

1985.

Jim

[skrumpy1]

trying to find out exact model and approximate age of smith and wesson have serial # 92853? can anyone help out?

[laytonj1]

trying to find out exact model and approximate age of smith and wesson have serial # 92853?

S&W reused the same serial numbers between their different models years ago. As I will need to determine the model first I will need a much better description and / or picture to help you. Chambering, how many rounds it holds, swing out cylinder or top break, finish, etc.
If the gun was made post 1957 the model number location can be seen in pic #1. Serial number location in pic #2

Jim

Model 629

[Barbaren]

Hi, this gun has a 6 inch barrel. 4 screws, no model markings and SN k313345 on the bottom of the frame. Since model numbers began in 1957 and the 5'th screw was removed in 1955 this gun should be produced between those changes. So my guess is that i just bought a target masterpiece. I was hoping that someone could help me out to get as spesific as possible here.

[laytonj1]

K38 sn: K 313345

1957.
Your K38 Target Masterpiece was made right at the time when S&W was starting to transition to model numbers.

Jim

[Barbaren]

Thanks. I havent shot it yet, but i have big expectations. It is almost as tight as my 1958 Colt Python. And the trigger feels good. Only need a good clean up. Guess it'll do good with 148gr WC in size .357.

[rdping]

.38 S&W Special; ser#102*; model 6029; 4" barrel

[laytonj1]

38 S&W Special; ser#102*; model 6029; 4" barrel

No such model number from S&W. Sounds like an assembly number.
See four post above yours for location of serial number. If your gun was made after 1957 the pics above also show the location of the model number, it will start with M or MOD.

Jim

[Doc Intrepid]

Hi laytonj1,

I've got two S&W revolvers, but based on your photos and post above, they may be somewhat different - they seem to have numbers in both places and those numbers are different:

First is a Model 19-3, inside the yoke or crane are the markings "98066" and larger "F16". The serial number on the base of the frame is 6K137xx.

Second is a Model 60 with the same situation; inside the yoke or crane are the markings "83089" and a larger "S". The serial number on the base of the frame is R1058xx.

Any information you could provide would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,

Doc