Smith and Wesson serial number search

[laytonj1]

Thanks for your response! It looks more like the first one (it has a really short barrel) but the grip is like the 2nd one.

Okay, sounds like you have a "J" frame Centennial (model 40). The Standard Catalog of S&W only list the serial numbers as 1 thru 30160 from 1952 till 1971.
To narrow it any further (short of getting the letter from S&W) you'll need to look for clues on the gun itself.

1. On the right side of the gun, there are screws holding in the side plate. If there are 4 of them then it was made 1952 - 1955. If only 3 screws then 1955 on. The one that was eliminated was up near the hammer.

2. In 1957 S&W started stamping the model numbers on the forward inside of the frame behind the yoke assembly. It's only visable when the cylinder is opened. If yours has "MOD 40" stamped there then it was made from 1957 on. If not then prior to 1957. There are usually some assembly numbers stamped there as well the serial number on later guns.

3. In 1966 S&W changed from the flat thumbpiece (to release the cylinder) to a more rounded one.
The model 36 in this picture has a flat thumbpiece (also called a "flat latch").
.

4. In 1968 the diamond shape in the center on the wood grips was eliminated. Of course, that doesn't apply to your pearl grips.

5. In 1971 the serial numbers received a 'L' prefix and in 1974 the Model 40 (Centennial) was discontinued. However, S&W has recently started producing them again.

Hope this helps,
Jim

[atlbabs]

Jim

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this gun with me and I am now going to absolutely get the letter from S&W. I left the gun at the gunsmith to have the heavy spring replaced with a lighter gauge as i was finding i tended to shoot high with the heavy trigger pull and after firing it, decided if i lessened the pull, i might be a bit more accurate (and I would have a rather fashionable carry piece!)...I will check the screws and other identifying marks when i get it back.

My dad served in Korea until 1952 and with 4 digit sn/, i would like to think he got this when he got back...in any event, you've answered the important questions and i truly appreciate it.

take care and thanks again~Barbara

[SunGrasses]

I recently inherited my great-grandmother's Smith & Wesson .32 caliber pistol from my father. He is 72 years old, and he inherited it when he was a teenager. He has never shot it. I'm sure it has very little monetary value, but it is the most valuable gun in my collection. I'm a 44 year old mom and feel honored to be the caretaker of her gun.

From what my father said, my great-grandmother carried it all the time, and she was quite a good shot. From the wear pattern, I think she was left-handed (Like me!). The handle is very worn and has very little of the "criss-cross" pattern left.

If anyone can help, I would love to know the approximate date that it was manufactured. It has a 4 digit serial number, 897x, on the bottom of the handle. The 5 1/2" long barrell is marked "32 long ctg." I can find no other markings. It is a 6-shot.

Any other info or insight that you may have would be wonderful.

Can't you just see the old lady with this in her apron pocket?

Thanks for the help.

[carguychris]

I recently inherited my great-grandmother's Smith & Wesson .32 caliber pistol from my father... If anyone can help, I would love to know the approximate date that it was manufactured. It has a 4 digit serial number, 897x, on the bottom of the handle. The 5 1/2" long barrell is marked "32 long ctg." I can find no other markings. It is a 6-shot.

Your revolver is a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903, sometimes known as a .32 Hand Ejector 2nd Model. According to the serial number range, your gun was made in 1903 or 1904.

That's a neat revolver with a neat story! You might want to contact S&w and get a factory letter. It might add some more details to the gun's story:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...ectionId=10504

Also, I think you may have measured the barrel length incorrectly. The Model of 1903 was available with a 3-1/2", 4-1/4", or 6" barrel. Yours looks too short to be the 6" barrel; it looks to me like the 4-1/4", which seems to be the most commonplace length for old .32HEs. The barrel length is measured from the end of the barrel to the front face of the cylinder (the revolving part).

[mymojo34]

Hi all.

My father in law just gave me a couple of old guns from his collection. Among them was this neat lil old pistol that I'd love to know more about. Its a five shot and appears to be a .38 (although standard .38 rounds are too long to fit it). It has matching serno's on the handle & barrel: 59195

Any insight into this weapons history would be appreciated!

[laytonj1]

My father in law just gave me a couple of old guns from his collection. Among them was this neat lil old pistol that I'd love to know more about. Its a five shot and appears to be a .38 (although standard .38 rounds are too long to fit it). It has matching serno's on the handle & barrel: 59195

Any insight into this weapons history would be appreciated!

It's a S&W .38 Double Action 2nd Model. They were made from 1880 to 1884 with serial numbers from 4001 thru 119000.
Your gun is chambered for ".38 S&W" caliber which is shorter and less powerful than the current .38 Special that came out in 1899.

Jim

[btadams]

I just bought a S&W model 10 from a coworker that he carried for a duty weapon in the early 80's. I would like to see if anyone can help me with when it was made. I know he said he had bought it used at the time. It is a smith modle 10-6 the searial number is 53233 and has R6 below it. This is stamped on the cylinder frame. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
adamsbt

[Whirlwind06]

Model 10-5 C790XXX

Thanks

[laytonj1]

I just bought a S&W model 10 from a coworker that he carried for a duty weapon in the early 80's. I would like to see if anyone can help me with when it was made. I know he said he had bought it used at the time. It is a smith modle 10-6 the searial number is 53233 and has R6 below it. This is stamped on the cylinder frame. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

That looks like an assembly number. The serial number should have a "C" or "D" prefix or a number/letter/number (ex. 4D8901). It will be located on the underside of the grip butt. If the grips on it cover the bottom of the grip frame you will need to remove them to see it.

Model 10-5 C790XXX

1965.

Jim

[smith627]

Any help would be appreciated on the date of manufacture of a S&W
617 .22 revolver with SN# CEJXXX. I'm guessing maybe the mid to late 1990's ? Thanks in advance.

[carguychris]

617 .22 revolver with SN# CEJXXX. I'm guessing maybe the mid to late 1990's ?

Late 2000.

[btadams]

I made a post a couple of days ago but I put the manufacture number instead of the serial number. The gun I have is a S&W model 10-6. It has a blued finish with a heavy barrel. The serial number is 2D89xxx. It also has the numbers B6, B24, B14 what are these numbers. I am trying to find out about when it was made.
Thanks in advance
BTADAMS

[laytonj1]

I made a post a couple of days ago but I put the manufacture number instead of the serial number. The gun I have is a S&W model 10-6. It has a blued finish with a heavy barrel. The serial number is 2D89xxx. It also has the numbers B6, B24, B14 what are these numbers. I am trying to find out about when it was made.
Thanks in advance

1978. The other numbers are assembly numbers.

Jim

[btadams]

Thanks Jim you're a wealth of knowledge or have alot of books. I've read several of your posts and you always have the answer.
BTADAMS

[Ignacio49]

Hello Jim.
I bought this one today.

Blue model 36-1, round butt, 3" barrel, s/n J775xxx. Wood grips have same s/n (without the "J").

Appreciate your help.

[laytonj1]

Hello Jim.
I bought this one today.

Blue model 36-1, round butt, 3" barrel, s/n J775xxx. Wood grips have same s/n (without the "J").

That would be 1981.

Jim

[laytonj1]

Thanks Jim you're a wealth of knowledge or have alot of books.

LOL, yeah... it's the books, but thanks for the compliment. The majority of the info I give (DOB's and gun ID's) comes right out of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Available at finer book stores and gun shows.

Jim

[Ignacio49]

Thanks Jim.

[russp]

I have what appears to be a re-nickled S&W 1899 M&P revolver.
The serial number is 1756. Has two rows of dates on the
barrel with a Maltese Cross on both ends of the dates.

My email address is [email protected]

Thanks

[laytonj1]

I have what appears to be a re-nickled S&W 1899 M&P revolver.

You are correct. They were made from 1899 to 1902 with serial numbers 1 thru 20975. Your serial number of 1756 would be first year.
Neat gun with a lot of history as the first year of the K frame and the .38 Special cartridge.

Jim

[btadams]

Is the model 10 made in 1978 rated for +p ammo

BTADAMS

[laytonj1]

Is the model 10 made in 1978 rated for +p ammo

Yes. Per S&W, model 10's made from 1958 on are rated for +P.

Jim

[Scott_MS]

Model 686 SN= ACL3XXX It's one of the dash nothing models, so I assume in the 1982-83 timeframe

[laytonj1]

Model 686 SN= ACL3XXX It's one of the dash nothing models, so I assume in the 1982-83 timeframe

Yep, 1983.

Jim

[range_rider13]

a) .357 Magnum
b) 6" bbl
c) square grips
d) 6 shot
e) adjustable rear sight (no white outline) and red/orange insert ramp front sight
f) Serial #AEL6XXX
g) Mod. 586