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laytonj1 · October 12, 2010, 08:13 PM

ThomasH,

Don't feel bad, I get confused with the tables also.
You have to do some interpolating.
On page 399, under J serial prefixes 1971 to 1972, it shows J1 to 999J99. The J1 is a typo, it should read 1J1.
4J would fall between 1J and 999J, which was also known as the floating J years.

On page 400, AWTXXXX would fall between AVB8654 in July 87 to AWW7874 also in July 87.

S&W started the three letter prefix in 1980 and things got real confusing from there because they make allot of special runs with serial numbers out of sequence. To make matters worse, the semi autos use their own serial sequence which jumps all over the place and is not up to date.

Another issue is when S&W makes a frame they stamp the serial number at that time. However, the frame may not be assembled into a gun and shipped for quite some time.

The serial number of my 629 Classic DX dates it to 1997 and yet I have the test target with it dated May 1996 and the original purchase receipt dated Sept. 1996.

The thing to remember is S&W makes guns first. Serial numbers are something that they have to put on them and unfortunantly, they don't assign them for the convenience of collectors.

The book provides a wealth of knowledge on their guns. The serial number tables are really just guides to get you in the range. They charge $50 to research the actual ship date of a gun, which includes other history as well on it.

Jim

October 12, 2010, 08:13 PM	#3476
laytonj1 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2005 Posts: 4,443	ThomasH, Don't feel bad, I get confused with the tables also. You have to do some interpolating. On page 399, under J serial prefixes 1971 to 1972, it shows J1 to 999J99. The J1 is a typo, it should read 1J1. 4J would fall between 1J and 999J, which was also known as the floating J years. On page 400, AWTXXXX would fall between AVB8654 in July 87 to AWW7874 also in July 87. S&W started the three letter prefix in 1980 and things got real confusing from there because they make allot of special runs with serial numbers out of sequence. To make matters worse, the semi autos use their own serial sequence which jumps all over the place and is not up to date. Another issue is when S&W makes a frame they stamp the serial number at that time. However, the frame may not be assembled into a gun and shipped for quite some time. The serial number of my 629 Classic DX dates it to 1997 and yet I have the test target with it dated May 1996 and the original purchase receipt dated Sept. 1996. The thing to remember is S&W makes guns first. Serial numbers are something that they have to put on them and unfortunantly, they don't assign them for the convenience of collectors. The book provides a wealth of knowledge on their guns. The serial number tables are really just guides to get you in the range. They charge $50 to research the actual ship date of a gun, which includes other history as well on it. Jim Last edited by laytonj1; October 12, 2010 at 08:27 PM.