Smith and Wesson serial number search

[DragonSlayer]

I found this sight by looking for all the information I could get on a Model 57S&W 41 mag. I've already bought it and have waited and wanted one for years. I do have the Shooters Bible but this ones not even listed. The serial # is N 60 XXXX Thank You in advance for any help. I got it for 350.00 and a fishin trip (I got him a 10lbs Striper) He thinks he got the deal, I know i did.

[tschmittel]

How about a b-day for a Model 10-7 2" SB: 9-D11XXX?

Thank you.

[laytonj1]

I believe it is a Model 37 Chiefs Airweight Special with the alloy frame, steel cylinder & barrel, square butt, and pinned 1 3/4" barrel and would like to know the approximate age.

Serial is 704JXX

1971/72

Yet another request for this popular thread!
I really thank those who spend the time to answer the questions.

Model 66-2 ADK2XXX

Late 1983

Thanks a lot for the info on the BSH serial number. I hate to abuse this thread, but would anyone know approximately what year CDK97XX for a 629-5 would have been in? Would that be late 1990s?

1999

need help dating a model 36 I picked up today. The number on the butt is 4J67XX. Trying to find out all little about the gun, and date. New to the S&W.

Nice gun. 1971/72

I found this sight by looking for all the information I could get on a Model 57S&W 41 mag. I've already bought it and have waited and wanted one for years. I do have the Shooters Bible but this ones not even listed. The serial # is N 60 XXXX

1979

How about a b-day for a Model 10-7 2" SB: 9-D11XXX?

1981

Jim

[laytonj1]

Most commonly asked S&W J frame "J" prefix serial numbers posted again.

J serial Prefix serial numbers.
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.

1969-1970 = J1 - J99999 pinned barrels
1971-1972 = 1J1 - 999J99
1973-1974 = J100000 - J250000
1975-1976 = J250001 - J370000
1976-1977 = J370001 - J610000
1977-1978 = J610001 - J670000
1979-1980 = J670001 - J760000
1981 = J760001 - J915400
1982 = J915401 - 1J18600 start non pinned barrels
1983 = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX
Jim

[kamerer]

I'll try to answer or get close on the last few - I don't have my full reference handy so I'll do what I know and leave the others for someone with a book, but' I'll summarize the open questions to aid the next responder.

37 Chiefs 704jxx - I don't know
Model 66-2 ADK2XXX - that is 83 +/- 1 I believe - 83 I think.
CDK97XX for a 629-5 - 1999 I believe.
model 36 4J67XX - I don't know.
10-7 2" SB: 9-D11XXX - 1981
Model 57N 60 XXXX - 1980.

DragonSlayer- I looked up your user profile and have called your local cops. $350 for a 57 is a crime anywhere, and in California it is a serious felony. That is the deal of the week for sure, maybe the month. I know a few guys on the S&W forum who I swear would probably pop an aneurism and stroke out if they heard that.

Edit - oops, looks like Jim was working on it the same time I was and he posted before I did. Looks like we agreed. I think the 57 is '80 based on a non -SCSW reference (it is vague on that range/year). Looks like he understands or knows the J numbers much, much better than I can recall!

[laytonj1]

Looks like he understands or knows the J numbers much, much better than I can recall!

I wish my memory was that good, I got both the 2nd and 3rd edition SCSW in front of me!

I think the 57 is '80 based on a non -SCSW reference (it is vague on that range/year).

Agreed... a S&W letter beats the SCSW.
I see you keep late hours too.

Jim

[kamerer]

I see you keep late hours too.

yep, I do. But it's not 1am here yet - west coast. But I am fading fast. We spent a long day riding horses. Up in the "low" mountains at the base of the BIG mountains. Really pretty. First sunny day in western Washington in like a month, I swear. This spring has been awful! OK, rant off Here's some horse porn instead of gun porn for a change!

[BigMikeUSMC]

Jim,

Thanks for the quick response - appreciate it!

Mike

[imrisk]

Thanks guys for looking up my 66-2. I picked it up in a gun shop yesterday. Great shape. $399. I had no idea it was 25 years old. They did not seem to know either. It was very clean, but I cleaned it anyway last night and am going to go out and fire it this morning at the range.

Risk

[kamerer]

but I cleaned it anyway last night and am going to go out and fire it this morning at the range.

The only caution about K frame magnums is to NOT shoot lightweight magnum rounds in them - 125gr, 110gr, etc. These have been demonstrated to cause cracking at the 6 o'clock on the forcing cone. Some can take it, some crack after 50 to 100 rounds. Shoot any .38 you want, but stick with 14x grain or larger magnum loads.

One of the faults I consistently find with S&W revolvers over 15 years old is OVER maintenance by the user. Do not "lube it up" by pouring oil down the trigger slot, hammer slot, or hand window. This, over times, dries up to a varnish or gunk and interferes with the action. It is easy to clean out, but requires a few tricks to get the sideplate off properly without damaging the screws and flange in the hammer area of the sideplate.

[dakuda]

I just paid for a S&W 686. I have to wait 2 more days until I can pick it up (IL laws....), but the SN is REH6xxx.

Just curious, as long as someone as some time to kill....

Thanks

[Don_N]

Thank you laytonj1 and kramerer!

[DragonSlayer]

Thank you laytonj1 and kramerer!

Yes thank you both very much I was told it was somewhere in that era I'll see if i can load a picture so you too can appreciate the condition of this gun. Shot it today for the first time it was everything i hope it would be, the trigger was light but not too light the recoil wasn't a 44 but it had a bit of a bite.

[iapryx]

I'm trying to figure out if my revolver is rated for .38 SPL +P, hope the serial helps figure that...

Model 10-7 AFW5979

[laytonj1]

I just paid for a S&W 686. I have to wait 2 more days until I can pick it up (IL laws....), but the SN is REH6xxx.

My latest editon of Standard Catolog of Smith and Wesson only covers up to 2004, so I'm guessing your 686 was made after that. However, a call to S&W at 1-800-331-0852 (Inside USA) 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (Monday - Friday) will get you a DOB free of charge.

I'm trying to figure out if my revolver is rated for .38 SPL +P, hope the serial helps figure that...

Model 10-7 AFW5979

Late 1984 and yes for +P.

Jim

[dakuda]

My latest editon of Standard Catolog of Smith and Wesson only covers up to 2004, so I'm guessing your 686 was made after that. However, a call to S&W at 1-800-331-0852 (Inside USA) 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (Monday - Friday) will get you a DOB free of charge.

Thank you, will do.

[carguychris]

I'm trying to figure out if my revolver is rated for .38 SPL +P, hope the serial helps figure that...

Model 10-7...

Any model-numbered .38 can safely fire +P according to an advisory in the current S&W revolver owner's manual. M10s can handle it just fine and I fire +P in my 10-5 all the time.

The only caveats are:

1) If you own one of the rare early Airweights with an aluminum-alloy cylinder, most books on the subject advise that these guns should not be fired at all, much less with +P ammo. The cylinders are simply too weak.

2) Some 'Net enthusiasts claim that older J-frames (such as non +P stamped M36s) will "shoot loose" if subjected to a steady diet of +P loads, but I'm not sure if this has ever really been factually verified. IMHO a steady diet of +P loads through a steel J-frame will probably wear out the owner before the gun.

3) There have been reports of Airweights suffering from cracked frames due to this treatment, although someone on the S&W forum tried to put this to the test by firing over 1,000 +P rounds through an M12... and the gun made it through without failure. Go here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/for...3481091842/p/1

[dakuda]

Turns out the serial number was BEH6xxx, NOT REH6xxx. A typo on the receipt.

It is from 1989. Thanks for the help.

[thughes4987]

I have and older S&W revolver that my father gave me from my grandfather.

The only numbers I can find are 609##. Can anyone tell me the age and model. Just found it in the closet and haven't gotten a chance to go to gun dealer.

[kamerer]

We'd need to know :

a) caliber
b) bbl length (from cylinder to muzzle)
c) grips shape (round or square)
d) number of shots/cylinder bores
e) type of sights.
f) if there is a letter in front of or anywhere near the s/n on the bottom of the grip

That number, if it is the s/n, should come from the butt of the grip (or under the barrel or face of the cylinder).

A picture or two is worth A LOT of words in this case...

[The Bulldawg]

Just curious on a date, any help is greatly appreciated

Mod. 29-5 BFH8xxx

[carguychris]

Add to kamerer's list:

g) How does the cylinder open? Does it rotate out to the left (Hand Ejector) or does the frame have a hinge that pivots the cylinder upwards when you actuate a latch on the rear frame (Top Break)?

[carguychris]

c) grips shape (round or square)

Open the link in reply #205 if you have trouble telling the difference.

[laytonj1]

Just curious on a date, any help is greatly appreciated

Mod. 29-5 BFH8xxx

1990.

Jim

[Abunai]

Hi -

I'm looking for some assistance on manufacture dates for a couple of older Smiths that I've got in my collection. I've sent away for factory letters, but no reply yet.

The first is a 28-2 Highway Patrolman, .357, 6" barrel, marked "Wash State Patrol", in great shape. Serial #S271xxx. Underneath that is OD. 28-2.

Next is a 38/44 Heavy Duty, 6.5" barrel, 38 S.&W. Special Ctg, excellent condition. Serial S 161xxx on butt of pistol; with “6 4757” or “8 4757” with a 3 in a circle under the 4, and an H on top the 7 inside frame in yoke area.

Any help would be appreciated.