Smith and Wesson serial number search - Page 72

fortkevin2 · August 26, 2009, 03:25 PM

thanks!

stigp6 · August 26, 2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks FlyFish.

Can you estimate what year this model came out based from pics below by looking at the markings? I don't have the unit and I'm still asking the seller for the SN details.

thanks

10s&Xs · August 26, 2009, 07:16 PM

Just picked up a K38 in very nice condition. Wondering if I could get a date on it and find out how to tell if it's a combat or target masterpiece.

There's no model number on the front of the frame, just a five digit number that matches the one on the crane.
Serial number is K399XX.
6" barrel with a grooved top.
Adjustable sights.
Serrated trigger.

Thanks in advance!

tyusclan · August 26, 2009, 09:28 PM

1948.

Normally K prefixes are target frames.

S&W began assigning model numbers in 1957.

FlyFish · August 26, 2009, 09:42 PM

stigp6: The lack of an upper sideplate screw (next to the rear sight) immediately identifies the gun as newer than 1955. The lack of an S&W logo on the sideplate means it has to be newer than 1981, and the unpinned barrel (a bit difficult to see in your photos, but I think there's no pin) means it's newer than 1982. The square butt (which this appears to be) and the tapered barrel were dropped in 1995-96, so the gun appears to be between 1982 and 1995/96. That's the best I can do for you from the photos.

10s&Xs · August 26, 2009, 10:42 PM

tyusclan: 1948? Very cool. I was looking for something that would be good for NRA Distinguished revolver. but I didn't expect to find something that old in such good condition for what I paid. Hope it shoots as good as it looks.

thanks much.

tyusclan · August 27, 2009, 05:26 AM

If it's that nice a revolver it would probably be worth the $35 to request a letter from Roy Jinks. His letter will document a lot of information for your gun, including giving you the exact date of shipment and who it was originally shipped to.

You can go to S&W's website for the info and address to request the letter. I don't have it handy right now or I'd post it.

stigp6 · August 27, 2009, 05:48 AM

FlyFish,
Just got the serial number of the pics I just posted - AYR583x

Also edited my post above and included pic of other side. Sorry for the duplicate pic.
What do you think? thanks

Radagast · August 27, 2009, 07:35 AM

stigp6: Between July & December 1987.

stigp6 · August 27, 2009, 07:48 AM

thanks Radagast

10s&Xs · August 27, 2009, 07:53 AM

tyusclan: I'll check into that. There was no box or papers, and the grips aren't original, so I don't think I'm looking at something highly collectible, but it'd be cool to know some history about it.

Thanks.

Dieselgrin · August 27, 2009, 07:58 AM

Just picked up a cherry 10-8, but don't know how to determine YOM. SN is AYS46XX. Can anyone help me out?

FlyFish · August 27, 2009, 08:12 AM

Dieselgrin: first half of 1988.

rnr · August 27, 2009, 10:59 AM

Hey Flyfish.

My K22 is a M17-4 made in 80, (78-Kxxxx) I think??? That's around the time I bought it.
So what revisions made it a -4?
And can this be classified as a combat masterpiece? Adjustable rear sights, fat trigger, and oversized grips.... The hammer is the transfer bar type.

Any info you can tell me is much appreciated.

FlyFish · August 27, 2009, 11:46 AM

rnr - S/N starting with 78K would be correct for 1980. There was one change with the -4: the gas ring (thickened area to protect the cylinder/ejector rod mechanism from gasses excaping the cylinder/barrel gap) was moved from the yoke to the cylinder. Model 17s were simply called the K-22 Masterpiece prior to numbering - the K-22 Combat Masterpiece, basically the same gun with a 4" barrel (only) and a ramped front sight, was designated the Model 18.

rnr · August 27, 2009, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the info, Mr. Fish

I'd always heard them called the combat masterpiece, so that's what I thought. Mine's a 6" and it's had lots of rounds put thru it, tho you wouldn't know it to look at it. She rides in a suede lined Safariland holster and shoots like a dream. Such a nice trigger!!!

Anyway, thanks.
You must like SW's to do this for everyone. I know I appreaciate the info. It does take a while to read thru so many pages tho.

shadow53 · August 27, 2009, 04:36 PM

Looking for info on a Mod 36-1 ser#AAM47xx

I bought it second hand about 25 years ago

Thanks!!

FlyFish · August 27, 2009, 04:58 PM

Shadow53: Appears to be late 1982 - October was AAF prefix and December was ABL. Just curious - does it have a pinned barrel? It's either one of the last ones with, or one of the first ones without.

rnr: I have the book and a bit of spare time, so I'm happy to help out, even though my knowledge pales in comparison to several real S&W experts here. And, yes, I do confess to having a bit of a love affair with S&W revolvers.

I have a 17 from 1971, and I agree they are sweet guns - definitely a "must have" for any S&W collection.

shadow53 · August 27, 2009, 05:03 PM

FlyFish: Thanks for the info. I am still really a novice, although I have heard the term "pinned barrel" not really sure what it is?

What do I look for?

shadow53 · August 27, 2009, 06:55 PM

After some Googling for images, I figured out it is NOT pinned. It is a 3" square butt, they seem to be less common than the round butt.

Dieselgrin · August 27, 2009, 07:56 PM

Thanks Flyfish. Where can I find a list of serials?

tyusclan · August 27, 2009, 08:19 PM

The info is found in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. It's available at Amazon.com or most any bookstore.

Thenarwhal · August 27, 2009, 09:35 PM

Model 25-2, N378xxx
Model 57, N669xxx
Model 17-3, 5K102xx
Bekeart 458xxx

Anyone have any info ... ? Thanks.

laytonj1 · August 27, 2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Model 25-2, N378xxx
Model 57, N669xxx
Model 17-3, 5K102xx
Bekeart 458xxx

Model 25-2, N378xxx = 1975/76
Model 57, N669xxx = 1979/80
Model 17-3, 5K102xx = 1973
Bekeart 458xxx = Serial numbers ran from 160000 in 1911 to 536684 in 1941. SN 525600 was in 1935 so yours is prior to that.

Jim

Thenarwhal · August 27, 2009, 11:57 PM

Thanks.

August 26, 2009, 06:46 PM	#1777
stigp6 Junior Member Join Date: August 25, 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks FlyFish. Can you estimate what year this model came out based from pics below by looking at the markings? I don't have the unit and I'm still asking the seller for the SN details. thanks Last edited by stigp6; August 27, 2009 at 05:53 AM.

August 26, 2009, 07:16 PM	#1778
10s&Xs Member Join Date: February 15, 2006 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 73	K38 Just picked up a K38 in very nice condition. Wondering if I could get a date on it and find out how to tell if it's a combat or target masterpiece. There's no model number on the front of the frame, just a five digit number that matches the one on the crane. Serial number is K399XX. 6" barrel with a grooved top. Adjustable sights. Serrated trigger. Thanks in advance!

August 27, 2009, 05:48 AM	#1783
stigp6 Junior Member Join Date: August 25, 2009 Posts: 4	FlyFish, Just got the serial number of the pics I just posted - AYR583x Also edited my post above and included pic of other side. Sorry for the duplicate pic. What do you think? thanks Last edited by stigp6; August 27, 2009 at 05:59 AM.

August 27, 2009, 07:58 AM	#1787
Dieselgrin Junior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Posts: 7	Model 10-8 Just picked up a cherry 10-8, but don't know how to determine YOM. SN is AYS46XX. Can anyone help me out?

August 27, 2009, 10:59 AM	#1789
rnr Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Denver Area Posts: 61	Hey Flyfish. My K22 is a M17-4 made in 80, (78-Kxxxx) I think??? That's around the time I bought it. So what revisions made it a -4? And can this be classified as a combat masterpiece? Adjustable rear sights, fat trigger, and oversized grips.... The hammer is the transfer bar type. Any info you can tell me is much appreciated. Last edited by rnr; August 27, 2009 at 11:14 AM.

August 26, 2009, 03:25 PM	#1776
fortkevin2 Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 318	thanks!

August 26, 2009, 09:28 PM	#1779
tyusclan Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 45	1948. Normally K prefixes are target frames. S&W began assigning model numbers in 1957.

August 26, 2009, 09:42 PM	#1780
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	stigp6: The lack of an upper sideplate screw (next to the rear sight) immediately identifies the gun as newer than 1955. The lack of an S&W logo on the sideplate means it has to be newer than 1981, and the unpinned barrel (a bit difficult to see in your photos, but I think there's no pin) means it's newer than 1982. The square butt (which this appears to be) and the tapered barrel were dropped in 1995-96, so the gun appears to be between 1982 and 1995/96. That's the best I can do for you from the photos.

August 26, 2009, 10:42 PM	#1781
10s&Xs Member Join Date: February 15, 2006 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 73	tyusclan: 1948? Very cool. I was looking for something that would be good for NRA Distinguished revolver. but I didn't expect to find something that old in such good condition for what I paid. Hope it shoots as good as it looks. thanks much.

August 27, 2009, 05:26 AM	#1782
tyusclan Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 45	If it's that nice a revolver it would probably be worth the $35 to request a letter from Roy Jinks. His letter will document a lot of information for your gun, including giving you the exact date of shipment and who it was originally shipped to. You can go to S&W's website for the info and address to request the letter. I don't have it handy right now or I'd post it.

August 27, 2009, 07:35 AM	#1784
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	stigp6: Between July & December 1987.

August 27, 2009, 07:48 AM	#1785
stigp6 Junior Member Join Date: August 25, 2009 Posts: 4	thanks Radagast

August 27, 2009, 07:53 AM	#1786
10s&Xs Member Join Date: February 15, 2006 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 73	tyusclan: I'll check into that. There was no box or papers, and the grips aren't original, so I don't think I'm looking at something highly collectible, but it'd be cool to know some history about it. Thanks.

August 27, 2009, 08:12 AM	#1788
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	Dieselgrin: first half of 1988.

August 27, 2009, 11:46 AM	#1790
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	rnr - S/N starting with 78K would be correct for 1980. There was one change with the -4: the gas ring (thickened area to protect the cylinder/ejector rod mechanism from gasses excaping the cylinder/barrel gap) was moved from the yoke to the cylinder. Model 17s were simply called the K-22 Masterpiece prior to numbering - the K-22 Combat Masterpiece, basically the same gun with a 4" barrel (only) and a ramped front sight, was designated the Model 18.

August 27, 2009, 04:05 PM	#1791
rnr Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Denver Area Posts: 61	Thanks for the info, Mr. Fish I'd always heard them called the combat masterpiece, so that's what I thought. Mine's a 6" and it's had lots of rounds put thru it, tho you wouldn't know it to look at it. She rides in a suede lined Safariland holster and shoots like a dream. Such a nice trigger!!! Anyway, thanks. You must like SW's to do this for everyone. I know I appreaciate the info. It does take a while to read thru so many pages tho.

August 27, 2009, 04:36 PM	#1792
shadow53 Junior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 14	Looking for info on a Mod 36-1 ser#AAM47xx I bought it second hand about 25 years ago Thanks!!

August 27, 2009, 04:58 PM	#1793
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	Shadow53: Appears to be late 1982 - October was AAF prefix and December was ABL. Just curious - does it have a pinned barrel? It's either one of the last ones with, or one of the first ones without. rnr: I have the book and a bit of spare time, so I'm happy to help out, even though my knowledge pales in comparison to several real S&W experts here. And, yes, I do confess to having a bit of a love affair with S&W revolvers. I have a 17 from 1971, and I agree they are sweet guns - definitely a "must have" for any S&W collection.

August 27, 2009, 05:03 PM	#1794
shadow53 Junior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 14	FlyFish: Thanks for the info. I am still really a novice, although I have heard the term "pinned barrel" not really sure what it is? What do I look for?

August 27, 2009, 06:55 PM	#1795
shadow53 Junior Member Join Date: December 10, 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 14	After some Googling for images, I figured out it is NOT pinned. It is a 3" square butt, they seem to be less common than the round butt.

August 27, 2009, 07:56 PM	#1796
Dieselgrin Junior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Posts: 7	Thanks Flyfish. Where can I find a list of serials?

August 27, 2009, 08:19 PM	#1797
tyusclan Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 45	The info is found in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. It's available at Amazon.com or most any bookstore.

August 27, 2009, 09:35 PM	#1798
Thenarwhal Junior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Posts: 3	How about ... Model 25-2, N378xxx Model 57, N669xxx Model 17-3, 5K102xx Bekeart 458xxx Anyone have any info ... ? Thanks.

August 27, 2009, 11:57 PM	#1800
Thenarwhal Junior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks.