The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Revolver Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 26, 2008, 12:16 PM   #1
Driveout02
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 9, 2006
Posts: 205
Smith and Wesson serial number search

Is there a website where I can find out the age of my used S&W revolver by serial number search? I know this exists for other brands (my Remington shotgun), but couldn't find anything like that for Smiths. Any help would be appreciated!
Driveout02 is offline  
Old January 26, 2008, 11:00 PM   #2
Tamara
Moderator Emeritus
 
Join Date: March 11, 2000
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 16,002
Right here.

What kind of Smith is it, and what's the serial number? (use X's for the last three digits.)
__________________
MOLON LABE!
2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium.
The Arms Room: An Online Museum.
Tamara is offline  
Old January 27, 2008, 12:37 AM   #3
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
There is nothing on the internet that I'm aware of. I and most other S&W fans have a copy of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (now on it's third edition) which also contains serial number/dates.
So, as Tamara said, if you provide the model number and first few digits of the serial number we can give you the DOB.
Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old January 27, 2008, 06:59 AM   #4
Hammer It
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 8, 2004
Location: The Great Smoky Mountain Range
Posts: 1,367
Quote:
The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson
Hello
I see another responder has Pointed out an excellent source of S&W serial numbers and it will provide many hours of good reading on all the different models they made and make. The Only True way to know when your gun was shipped from the factory is to apply for a Factory letter. Some models are not as fast selling as others and although a reference book shows serial numbers and list's years when they shipped, it can only be considered a general idea of that model as I have seen some that shipped several years after these books show them to due to a less Popular status or demand for them. Here is a direct link to the Factory letter I spoke of and the Excellent reference book the Poster before me mentions that can be ordered from your computer and shipped to your front door. Another excellent book written by the factory Historion Roy Jinks is also shown and I have it as well and I highly suggest it as a Great choice.I hope this helps, Hammer It



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

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...6205&training=
Hammer It is offline  
Old January 27, 2008, 07:49 PM   #5
Driveout02
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 9, 2006
Posts: 205
alright, I'll post what I got
It's a 65-4, serial # BDA0xxx
I know it's not that old, but I was curious as to the year it was manufactured.. Thanks in advance for your help!!
~Jake.
Driveout02 is offline  
Old January 27, 2008, 07:52 PM   #6
Hammer It
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 8, 2004
Location: The Great Smoky Mountain Range
Posts: 1,367
Quote:
alright, I'll post what I got
It's a 65-4, serial # BDA0xxx
Hello
1988-1989 period. Now, Do the right thing and go Buy the book. Hammer It
Hammer It is offline  
Old February 5, 2008, 11:17 PM   #7
Navy joe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 28, 2001
Location: VA, USA
Posts: 1,804
How about a 28-2 S/n N97x? TIA Except for the rust on the trigger guard the darn thing looks unfired. I about doubled the cylinder drag mark just fondling it in the store.
Navy joe is offline  
Old February 5, 2008, 11:56 PM   #8
BillCA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 28, 2004
Location: Silicon Valley, Ca
Posts: 7,117
Navy Joe,

That's easy. That short N97X serial number was made in 1969 when S&W started using the N prefix.

For the rust on your triggerguard, soak the area in Kroil penetrating oil for an hour or so to loosen the rust. To remove it, use a copper Chore-boy brand scrubber pad to remove the rust. The copper is soft enough it won't hurt the finish. You may have a bare metal spot when done but you can either touch it up or keep it well oiled.
BillCA is offline  
Old February 15, 2008, 03:05 PM   #9
Colokeb
Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2008
Location: west
Posts: 86
Two S&W Revolvers Dates from Serials

Might you help me with BRK 65xx a Model 66

and S 2055xx a 357 Blackhawk?

Many Thanks
Colokeb is offline  
Old February 16, 2008, 12:47 AM   #10
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
1994/95 on your 66.
Ruger serial numbers are available here:
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...story-RE.html#
Although, are you sure about that serial number on the Ruger? It looks like a S&W serial number.


Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old February 16, 2008, 02:53 AM   #11
novaDAK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 14, 2006
Posts: 312
hey anyone want to date my S&W I just picked up? It would be greatly appreciated as I know absolutely nothing about Smiths (grew up around Colts and Rugers ) basically I'd like to know if I can shoot +P's through it (heard that the stainless K-frames are good to go with +P after reading in the Smith manual online that all models after the late 60's are ok with +P)

64-5
BBJ1xxx
novaDAK is offline  
Old February 16, 2008, 06:47 PM   #12
XTeacher
Junior Member
 
Join Date: November 30, 2007
Posts: 2
Model 19-2

Hi all,

I have recently acquired a S&W Model 19-2 with a 4" barrel. The serial number is K6 82XXX.

Thank you in advance for your help.
XTeacher is offline  
Old February 16, 2008, 07:23 PM   #13
Hammer It
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 8, 2004
Location: The Great Smoky Mountain Range
Posts: 1,367
Quote:
The serial number is K6 82XXX.
Hello Teacher
And welcome to the Firing lLne forum. You guys need to invest a few bucks and buy the excellent reference book entitled "The Standard Catalog Of S&W's", By Supica & Nahas. There is Now Three volumes and they are reasonable. You gun dates roughly 1966 I hope this Helps, Hammer It

Last edited by Hammer It; February 17, 2008 at 04:38 AM.
Hammer It is offline  
Old February 17, 2008, 02:10 AM   #14
laytonj1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2005
Posts: 4,443
Quote:
64-5
BBJ1xxx
1988. And +p is safe with it.

Jim
laytonj1 is offline  
Old February 17, 2008, 10:07 AM   #15
XTeacher
Junior Member
 
Join Date: November 30, 2007
Posts: 2
Quote:
You guys need to invest a few bucks and buy the excellent reference book entitled "The Standard Catalog Of S&W's", By Supica & Nahas. There is Now Three volumes and they are reasonable. You gun dates roughly 1966 I hope this Helps, Hammer It
Thank you for the help. I only have the one S&W (it belonged to my father-in-law), otherwise I'd certainly invest in the books, especially if I was going to begin collecting S&Ws or if I were in the market for one and wanted to troll the gun shows.

My father-in-law told me that he had bought this particular Model 19 as his first handgun forty years ago. He has maintained it beautifully . . . I'd say, in my non-expert opinion, that the finish is 90%+, and it honestly looks like a new gun, apart from some wear on the bluing near the muzzle.

Thanks again for the information. A manufacture date of 1966 makes sense.
XTeacher is offline  
Old February 17, 2008, 11:06 PM   #16
novaDAK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 14, 2006
Posts: 312
Quote:
1988. And +p is safe with it.

Jim
A big thank you goes to you Jim!
I am told it was a former security sidearm, and by the looks of it (external wear but great rifling and lock-up) I wouldn't doubt it.
novaDAK is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 12:01 AM   #17
DonR101395
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 30, 2005
Location: NWFL
Posts: 3,033
Hey folks, could someone look up the date of a couple of serial number for me? A friend asked me the age of his guns, but I don't have a S&W book.

S&W Model 10-5

Serial 697xx


S&W Model 19

Serial 9K19xx

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Don
DonR101395 is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 01:52 AM   #18
carguychris
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 7,523
The number you listed for the 10-5 is the assembly number, which is arbitrary and basically meaningless. The serial number of a Model 10 is found on the bottom of the grip frame. It will be a 6-digit number preceded by a "C" or a "D".

The Model 19 is 1976 production.
carguychris is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 11:29 AM   #19
gc70
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 24, 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,909
I would appreciate anyone's help in dating a couple of S&W autos (if I can sneak into this active Revolver thread rather than starting a new one in Semiautos):

3906 - TDL28xx
5906 - VED15xx
gc70 is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 12:58 PM   #20
pilot08
Junior Member
 
Join Date: February 24, 2008
Posts: 2
Very old S&W Revolver

This gun belonged to my grandfather who died a long time before I was born. It still has the S&W trademark stamp but the serial number doesn't have any letters in it or at the end. It's a squeeze handle revolver and I hope you can help me out. The Serial # is 181xxx
pilot08 is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 02:26 PM   #21
DonR101395
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 30, 2005
Location: NWFL
Posts: 3,033
Quote:
The number you listed for the 10-5 is the assembly number, which is arbitrary and basically meaningless. The serial number of a Model 10 is found on the bottom of the grip frame. It will be a 6-digit number preceded by a "C" or a "D".

The Model 19 is 1976 production.
Thanks, that is in fact the only "serial" number on it. I haven't seen it, he sent me a pic but it didn't come out so I asked for another.


Thanks,
Don


Edit: Here are the pics he sent me. The same number appears in both places and there is no number on the bottom of the grip.


Last edited by DonR101395; February 24, 2008 at 05:53 PM.
DonR101395 is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 02:57 PM   #22
Gbro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 20, 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,084
Pilot08;
Here is an old thread that might help. It has a picture also.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=108495
__________________
Gbro
CGVS
For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18
Gbro is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 09:10 PM   #23
carguychris
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 7,523
Quote:
3906 - TDL28xx
5906 - VED15xx
TDL = 1989, I think (SCSW has TBL-TCB in 88 and TED in 89)
VED = 94-96

FWIW the SCSW has a handy hint for those who have the original plastic box for their modern S&W. The big white box end label is applied right when the box is sealed for shipment, and it has a 4-digit code after the serial number. This is a date code; the first number is the last digit of the year, and the next 3 numbers represent the day of the year numbered consecutively.
carguychris is offline  
Old February 24, 2008, 10:40 PM   #24
gc70
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 24, 2005
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,909
Thanks, Chris.
gc70 is offline  
Old February 25, 2008, 12:07 AM   #25
BADSBSNF81
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 18, 2001
Posts: 386
FYI, when looking at box end labels, sometimes there is a considerble lapse in time between when a S&W is made and when it is shipped.
BADSBSNF81 is offline  
Reply

Tags
s&w 686

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2024 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.53405 seconds with 9 queries