Smith and Wesson serial number search

[laytonj1]

I was wondering about the date for my Model 24-2. S/N is AEL13XX

The serial # dates it to 1984.
That said, it must be a -3 as the -2 ran from 1961 to 1967.
You likely have an example of the 24-3 that was part of a special 5000 gun run for Lew Horton distributors. It had a 3" barrel (measured from the face of the cylinder forward), round butt and wood fingergrooved combat grips.

Jim

[bje1969]

i was also wondering about my model 629 its the only one i own so i really dont want to buy the book i was wondering about the date of birth serial #bec38xx

[jgskeet]

Thanks, Jim....I misread the numbers. It is a 24-3. I agree that this is likely a Lew Horton gun. It is a very nice piece. High gloss bluing and the grips have been exchanged for high end S&W wooden grips that look like they might be from the custom shop.

[Joe from N.Y.]

Can anyone figure the date made of my .38 Chiefs Special #99524? It originally belonged to my uncle, who got it when he joined the NYPD back in the 1950's

[Deptore]

Jim,

Sorry about that, it is a 6 shot and the serial number was on the underside of the grip on the steel part. The prefix was a C so the serial was C 873**.

Just so you don't have to look back on the other page it was a 38 special ctg.

It looks like http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/de...n-revolver.htm except for a few differences.

1- the screw on the grips has a diamond in the wood around them
2- the & looks wierd

I called Smith & Wesson with the full serial and they said 1947-1960, I just think that's a wide area to cover with a serial.

[Dave Anderson]

Can anyone figure the date made of my .38 Chiefs Special #99524? It originally belonged to my uncle, who got it when he joined the NYPD back in the 1950's

I don't know of year-by-year serial number records for J-frames of that era. If anyone does I'd like to know about it. However it is know that s/n 75000 was made late in 1955 (December) when the top sideplate screw was discontinued. Also, s/n 125000 dates to June 1957 when S&W began using the model numbering system.

A reasonable estimate of production date for your Chiefs would be late 1956. Nice revolver, with an interesting history.

Hope no one minds if I chime in on this thread from time to time. Not trying to intrude on the excellent service being provided by laytonj1, but I sometimes notice an interesting question when I have time on my hands and a reference book handy.

[Dave Anderson]

The prefix was a C so the serial was C 873**.

There don't seem to be year-by-year production records of this model. However we may be able to narrow it down a bit. After WW II an S prefix was used until numbers reached S999999. At that point the "C" series began. S/N C1 was made March 22, 1948.

An alloy-framed variation of the M&P revolver was introduced September 11, 1952 at s/n C223999. When the model numbering system was introduced in 1957 this would be known as the model 12. They were numbered in the same series as steel-frame M&Ps.

Since 223,999 M&P revolvers were made over a time frame of 4.5 years we can estimate production at about 50,000 annually. Of course there could be annual variations, but during this time revolvers were in great demand, both with law enforcement agencies and with private citizens. For the most part S&W was limited only by how many they could produce.

Assuming production rate was more or less steady, this would put date of manufacture of your revolver at around the end of January 1950.

Both the diamond-pattern grips and the "elongated & sign" are typical of S&W revolvers from that era.

[somebizarredude]

Hello all, first post here. I just got a S&W 500 magnum used and was wondering if someone could tell me when it was made? #CHV8xxx

I know nothing about its history and am curious how old it is. also if its not to much trouble, maybe tell me what digits mean what? just trying to learn about them

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/4387/dscf5476a.jpg
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5417/dscf5478j.jpg

I would appreciate any help

[laytonj1]

#CHV8xxx

Book goes to 2004 at CHM.
You'd have to call S&W customer service to get the DOB over the phone for free.
That said, I guess late 2004 to 2005.

what digits mean what

Well, the ones above are the SN. Any others are assembly/inspector numbers.
If you mean the individual digits in the SN, they are simply an alpha/numeric sequence that started at AAA0000 in 1980 and has progressed along, although not necessarily in order...
In earlier times some of the digits in the SN would indicate a particular series, such as a "K" in the sequence would indicate an adjustable sighted K frame revolver (example: K123456 or 12K3456).

Not trying to intrude on the excellent service being provided by laytonj1, but I sometimes notice an interesting question when I have time on my hands and a reference book handy.

Help is always appreciated.

Jim

[somebizarredude]

thank you very much laytonj1, that was extremely informative and helpful. I had no idea I could simply call S&W, thank you for that information also

[Wolfs-Bane]

I'm new, and I don't really know to much about fire arms. However, today while out scavenging through yard sales, my Dad and I found a small revolver. It sparked my interest greatly, so we left the yard sale with the revolver bought for $25. As soon as I came home I looked it up online. I found out it's a Smith & Wesson Lemon Squeezer. But, I would like to know the date that it was manufactured. It looks old, but it is pretty banged up.
The Serial Number is A80108 (at least these are the numbers found on the bottom of the grip).

Thank you for any replies.

[pdbertb]

I came across a nice S&W marked ".38 S&W Special C.T.G." at a local shop today. It has only some proof marks in the yoke but no model number or serial #. Serial # is 1854XX K and is only found under the grip strap. Can someone give me an idea of what model and the date of mfg.? It has target hammer, trigger and grips as well as an adjustable rear sight.

[BigShep85]

Hi guys I need some help here, I looked at a s&w model 58 and looked on the crane for the serial number... just doing an overall check and the only numbers I found were "mod 58" the numbers "67435" and stamped just below the previous numbers were "g12" any help with these numbers? because I didnt know what to make of them, I didnt get a chance to take the grips off so I didnt get to look on the grip frame..... any input would be helpful.

[laytonj1]

The Serial Number is A80108

Lemon squeezers got their name because they have a grip safety that is squeezed before the gun can be fired.
The gun in your picture does not appear to be a S&W, although it is chambered for a S&W cartridge.
Also, S&W never used an "A" prefix SN until 1980.

Serial # is 1854XX K

K1854xx = 1953.
If it's a 6" barrel it would be a K-38 Target Masterpiece which became the Model 14 when S&W began assigning model numbers ~1957.
A 4" barrel would make it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece which became the model 15.

I looked at a s&w model 58

See pic for location of SN.


Jim

[pdbertb]

Quote:
Serial # is 1854XX K

K1854xx = 1953.
If it's a 6" barrel it would be a K-38 Target Masterpiece which became the Model 14 when S&W began assigning model numbers ~1957.
A 4" barrel would make it a K-38 Combat Masterpiece which became the model 15.

Thank you Laytonj1. It's a 6" barrel, but it has no screw in front of the trigger guard which I thought made it a 3 screw and thus a later model. The "K" is a suffix and is why I am confused.

[laytonj1]

The "K" is a suffix and is why I am confused.

Huh? You did get the SN from the underside of the grip frame, right.
And it is a S&W revolver, right. As in it's stamped Smith & Wesson on the side of the barrel and not just the caliber?
S&W never used the "K" as a suffix.

Jim

[pdbertb]

Yes, when I first saw the gun it had the # on a tag. After I went home to research it I couldn't find anything about a K suffix. I went back today and removed the grips to see the serial # 1854XX K and it has no other serial #'s on the crane, yoke or cylinder. Am I correct that if it has no screw in front of the trigger guard it is a 3 screw? I have it on hold and will go back Monday to take a picture if that helps.

[laytonj1]

A 1953 S&W will have 5 screws. See pic below.
And yes, no trigger guard screw means a 3 screw and dates it to when model numbers were stamped.
Pictures would help allot.

Jim

[MaJo]

DOB of S&W 686-4 SerNo: BSZ7xxx?
Thanks for your help!

[pdbertb]

Here are the pictures. Hope you can identify it Jim.

[pdbertb]

Here are a few more.

Attachment 70562


Attachment 70564

[laytonj1]

pdbertd,

Well, the good news is it's definitely a model 14.
The bad news: the original serial number has been ground off and a new one stamped on it. And it does not follow S&W's serial number sequence so it was not done by them.

Jim

[MaJo]

Hello,
I'm new here and not sure of the protocol, but I'm lookin for help in finding the DOB of a S&W 686-4 6" with a Serial No: BXZ7xxx.
Thanks much for your help.
MaJo

[laytonj1]

S&W 686-4 6" with a Serial No: BXZ7xxx.
DOB of S&W 686-4 SerNo: BSZ7xxx

Either SN would fall in the late 1994 thru 1995 range.

Jim

[cmeptb]

I have what appears to be a model 10, 38 special, serial # 5906**. Any idea what year it was made?