Smith and Wesson serial number search

[CeeGro]

Flyfish: thanks for the help! Now on that Numrich site it has early model and late model slides... would this 75-76' 39-2 be considered early?
and I've had adjustable sights but how are the fixed? any preference?

[laytonj1]

Now on that Numrich site it has early model and late model slides... would this 75-76' 39-2 be considered early?
and I've had adjustable sights but how are the fixed? any preference?

39 no dashes are early slides (older large extractor) and the -2's are the newer slides (improved extractor).
I prefer adjustable sights but fixed sights that are regulated properly will work just fine.

Jim

[Atrain9]

I recently received a S&W revolver from my grandfather. I might try to sell it for him because he needs money for the assisted living home he had to go to. The number on the bottom of the butt is 657XXX. From the research I have did on it I think it is a model 31 or 31-1. It is chambered in .32 S&W long and it has a 4 inch barrel. It is in excellent condition. Any help on the year it was made or the value of it would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[FlyFish]

Atrain9: That serial number is consistent with the gun being a Model 31 "no dash" from the 1946 to 1960 period. The 31-1 was not introduced until 1961 at SN 712954. The model number should be clearly stamped on the part of the frame that's exposed when you swing the cylinder out. The precise year and model variation will not make a great deal of difference in the value - SCSW lists these guns as being worth only $275 in Excellent condition. Increasing that to allow for inflation in revolver prices since the current edition was printed would probably result in a value of $400 or so.

[Atrain9]

Thanks for the info. On the frame it says 42972. it also says what looks like Q4. Then on the the cylinder arm (or whatever its called) it says 42972 again and its either a U or a C.

[laytonj1]

Atrain9,

Since model stamping on the frames did not start till around 1957 yours likely predates that.
The "42972" are assembly numbers.

Jim

[mjparillo72]

I recently came to own a square handle k frame but don't know what I have besides it being a 38 snub with a pinned barrel #s are d316623 and on the cylinder arm 41776 any help is appreciated

[laytonj1]

I recently came to own a square handle k frame but don't know what I have besides it being a 38 snub with a pinned barrel #s are d316623

If it's a steel frame you have a model 10, model 12 if an aluminum frame.
Since it was made after 1957 it will have the model number stamped on the frame visable only when you open the cylinder.
Serial numbers ran from D90,001 in 1969 to D330,000 in 1970.

Jim

[mjparillo72]

Thank you the numbers on the cylinder are 41776

[FlyFish]

No, Jim was referring to the numbers stamped on the frame that you can see only when you swing the cylinder out, not the numbers on the cylinder itself. That's where the model number will be found on revolvers made since 1957. You should see the letters "Mod" followed by two digits, and sometimes then a dash followed by another digit.

[mjparillo72]

Looked even took the grips off those are the only numbers besides the serial

[FlyFish]

Hmmm . . . something's not adding up here. Just to be sure (and please don't take offense), here's a photo of where the model number should appear (this particular gun is a Model 10-14):



Yours really has nothing stamped there?

ETA: Hang on, that photo's not terribly helpful. I'll try to resize it and repost.

ETA(2): No luck on the resizing, not enough resolution. Head on over to this thread at The High Road:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...=397027&page=2
and scroll down to Post #32, that's where I got the photo.

[mjparillo72]

Wow I can't find anything else I even had someone else look to make sure my eyes aren't playing tricks..checked top part of frame ,under ejector,bottom part of frame under cylinder found nothing...

[FlyFish]

Well, as Jim indicated, with that SN it's from the 1969-70 period, with 1970 being the more likely year, and should have the model number stamped there. We've seen examples of S&W stamping the wrong model number on revolvers, so I guess it's not unreasonable to assume that they also didn't stamp anything on some.

It has to be either a 10 or a 12, and the 12 has an alloy frame, which you may be able to recognize from the appearance (it looks like steel to me from your photo), or you can test it with a magnet.

[mjparillo72]

Thanks its Steel any idea on worth its probably 80-85%

[FlyFish]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of Model 10s out there, and that holds the value down. Most of them are wearing 4" barrels, however, and K-frame snubs have a certain appeal, so yours gets a bit of a bump there. I'd say something in the $300 to $350 range if it's really 80-85% (it looks a bit better than that in your photo, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything).

[mjparillo72]

I appreciate your help thank you

[laytonj1]

See pic for model location. This is a model 629-1.

Jim

[Miata Mike]

I was wondering the year of manufacture of my S&W Model 4586. Serial number is: BDJ1XXX If I had to guess I would say late 90's. Thanks!

[yogiboobooranger]

I just traded for a S&W model 60 Chief's Special, Serial number AFR87XX. Can anyone tell me date of manufacture? Thanks.

[FlyFish]

yogi: ARF prefix would be late 1984

Mike: I'd like to be able to help you, but I'm confused. SCSW lists only the use of all numbers for autos up to 1970, then a single letter "A" prefix to March 1984, then changing to a three-letter prefix beginning with "T". There's no mention of any autos having a three-letter "B" prefix. In revolvers, a BDJ prefix would indicate 1989, but the Mod 4586 was made between 1991 and 1999. So, I'm stumped - maybe Jim or someone else can figure it out.

[Miata Mike]

Quote by FlyFish:

Mike: I'd like to be able to help you, but I'm confused. SCSW lists only the use of all numbers for autos up to 1970, then a single letter "A" prefix to March 1984, then changing to a three-letter prefix beginning with "T". There's no mention of any autos having a three-letter "B" prefix. In revolvers, a BDJ prefix would indicate 1989, but the Mod 4586 was made between 1991 and 1999. So, I'm stumped - maybe Jim or someone else can figure it out.

Unless the serial numbers are hidden somewhere, that is what is stamped under the model number as I just checked again. Could it be slightly different than normal if it was part of a police dept purchase? There is no PD markings on it at all.

[laytonj1]

Unless the serial numbers are hidden somewhere, that is what is stamped under the model number as I just checked again.

I'm in the process of moving so all my books are packed now. Call S&W on this one. It might be part of a special run or something. Call their customer service. They will give you the DOB over the phone. Make sure you mention it's a 4586 with that SN. Let us know what they say.

Jim

S&W
1-800-331-0852 (USA)
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time

[Miata Mike]

I'm in the process of moving so all my books are packed now. Call S&W on this one. It might be part of a special run or something. Call their customer service. They will give you the DOB over the phone. Make sure you mention it's a 4586 with that SN. Let us know what they say.

Jim

I just noticed that they were still open, so I just called and found out that it's date of birth was September 9, 2005. He told me the exact model and configuration and that it has never been back to the factory. No other information was available. Thanks Jim!

[FlyFish]

I just noticed that they were still open, so I just called and found out that it's date of birth was September 9, 2005.

The book only covers auto serial numbers up to 1998, so S&W has obviously started using something other than the "T" (and it also mentions "U" and "V") prefix for their autos. They must have started producing 4586s again after the most recent edition was published, because SCSW definitely references only '91 to '99 for the 4586, along with 2000-02 for the 4586TSW.