Smith and Wesson serial number search

[laytonj1]

Can I ask you for help? Do you know how to reply with a quote?

Hit Post Reply, cut and paste what you want to quote to the new post, then highlight it, then click on the QUOTE icon (third character from right on the bottom row of the tool bar, looks like a flag).

Jim

[spacecoast]

AFY7XXX = 1984/85
AJP3XXX = 1986/87

Thanks Jim!

[rckound]

No color would be correct. It was common, however for owners to use paint sticks to highlight the rollmarked lettering.

Some current production guns from S&W do come with highlighted lettering where the lettering is laser etched (such as the model 41, 329, etc).

Jim

Thank you, Jim. Red lettering on mine, most likely post factory then?

[Badco6354]

Hello to all and Happy New Year,

First time post and new to the site. I just purchased a like new S & W Model 65-6, Serial number CEK2XXX. I read almost every post on this thread yesterday and know the gun is newer than 2000. Can anyone give me the BOD, and can you tell me what the -6 in the Model number designates?

Thank You for the Help!

[FlyFish]

Badco6354: Welcome to The Firing Line! The CEK prefix would indicate late 2000 or early 2001. The "dash" number added to the basic model number indicates a (usually minor) design or engineering change - the 65-6 came out in 1997 and included a change in the cylinder stop design, MIM hammer with floating firing pin, and changes to the internal lockwork.

[Tall Pine]

Hit Post Reply, cut and paste what you want to quote to the new post, then highlight it, then click on the QUOTE icon (third character from right on the bottom row of the tool bar, looks like a flag).

Jim

Thanks Jim!

[tgsavell]

Model 48-4 92K1432

38 special S 900500


Thanks alot
Tyson

[Tall Pine]

Model 48-4 92K1432

38 special S 900500


Thanks alot
Tyson

The 48-4 is definately a 1981

The 39 spl appears to be a 1952/1953. Note that you have 6 numerical digits where the book indicates there should be only 5. I dont see an S prefix starting with a numerical 9 that has six numerical digits after the S. Could that last 0 not really be there?

There are 6 numerical digit S prefixes but none of them start with a 9; the highest is a 3.

[tgsavell]

The S is way over to the front of the butt and seperate from the serial number.
The 0 is there. Its a nickel finish.

thanks,
Tyson

[Badco6354]

Thanks Flyfish,

I noticed when I reviewed the post on this thread that you seemed to be one of the resident experts on S & W Serial numbers. This is my first S & W revolver. I got what I consider a good deal, ($350), and look forward to shooting the gun! This will be a nice complement to my 9mm, 40S&W, and 45ACP semi autos. My collection is complete. (until I find something else I have to have! )

Thanks again.

[FlyFish]

Thanks for the kind words, Badco6354. I'm just a guy who likes S&W revolvers, has "the book," and sits in front of a computer most of the day. I may know a bit - only a bit - more about this stuff than the average bear, but Jim (laytonj1) and carguychris are the real experts.

Happy New Year to you, and to all of our brothers and sisters here, regulars and newbies alike, who enjoy the shooting sports!

Dick (FlyFish)

[Tall Pine]

The S is way over to the front of the butt and seperate from the serial number.
The 0 is there. Its a nickel finish.

thanks,
Tyson

Dick or Jim,

Can you give a 2nd opinion on this lookup? I gave it a stab, but am new with the book and might be missing something. The fact that he has 1 extra numerical digit than the book has for S prefixes is making me second guess myself.

Thanks

[Tall Pine]

The S is way over to the front of the butt and seperate from the serial number.
The 0 is there. Its a nickel finish.

thanks,
Tyson

Sorry folks. I think I got it. Was looking in the "S Serial Prefix: N Frames Postwar" section but it can be found in the "Postwar S Serial Range (fixed sight K frame)" section.

Yours must be a model 10, 11, or 45. Correct? If so then I am now pretty certain your date range is 1945-1948, and would be toward the 1947 or 1948 end of the spectrum.

Sorry for all the confusion. I'll get better at this I promise!
Happy New Year to you all.

Tall

[spitlist]

I have a Smith & Wesson model 10 that I purchased used back in the 70's and was wondering exactly when it was made. The serial number from the bottom of the butt is D500XXX (XXX being the last 3 digits of the number).

If anyone could look this up and let me know , it would be greatly appreciated.

[FlyFish]

Sorry folks. I think I got it. Was looking in the "S Serial Prefix: N Frames Postwar" section but it can be found in the "Postwar S Serial Range (fixed sight K frame)" section.

Yours must be a model 10, 11, or 45. Correct? If so then I am now pretty certain your date range is 1945-1948, and would be toward the 1947 or 1948 end of the spectrum.

Yes, I think that's correct. I would just add it would have to be a Model 10, because he said the caliber is .38 Special. The 11 was .38/200 (aka .38 S&W) and the 45 was .22. And, technically, the gun would be a .38 Military & Police (pre Model 10) because the system of designating models by number didn't start until 1957.

ETA: It could also be a pre Model 12, though the pre 10 would be much more likely. Test the frame with a magnet - the 12 is alloy.

[FlyFish]

spitlist: 1973

[spitlist]

Thanks, FlyFish! I must say, I am very surprised ath the quick response.

[spoolie]

I posted up this number...28-2 N2938xx
Laytonj1 (jim) came back quickly and said 1977...the same time I posted here I also emailed S&W directly. Today they got back with me and the rep there said my gun with that number was manufactured 1967

[FlyFish]

I posted up this number...28-2 N2938xx
Laytonj1 (jim) came back quickly and said 1977...the same time I posted here I also emailed S&W directly. Today they got back with me and the rep there said my gun with that number was manufactured 1967.

Ordinarily I would say that S&W should know better than anyone, but I think not in this case. The "N" prefix wasn't initiated until 1969, and Jim's response appears correct, at least based on SCSW, which is a pretty authoritative source. If the SN started with an "S" followed by those digits then 1967 would be correct - I wonder if someone at S&W was confused by that.

[laytonj1]

Quote:
I posted up this number...28-2 N2938xx
Laytonj1 (jim) came back quickly and said 1977...the same time I posted here I also emailed S&W directly. Today they got back with me and the rep there said my gun with that number was manufactured 1967.

Ordinarily I would say that S&W should know better than anyone, but I think not in this case. The "N" prefix wasn't initiated until 1969, and Jim's response appears correct, at least based on SCSW, which is a pretty authoritative source. If the SN started with an "S" followed by those digits then 1967 would be correct - I wonder if someone at S&W was confused by that.

While there is overlap on some of the serial numbers, as Flyfish stated, they confused the "N" prefix with a "S".
Per the SCSW:
S290000 - S304999 = 1967 - 1968
S305000 - S329999 = 1968 - 1969
S330000 - S333454 = 1969 - 1970
N1 - N99999 = 1969 - 1972
N100000 - N199999 = 1973
N200000 - N299999 = 1974 - 1977
To add some more confusion:
N300000 - N399999 = 1975 - 1976
N400000 - N499999 = 1977 - 1978
Depending on the specific model number of the gun an earlier serial number can be from a later manufactured gun. Example, most of the last half of the N200000 serial range was model 28's and 58's in 1976/77. Where as, a model 27 with a later N300000 serial number could be made in 1975.

Jim

[tgun1]

Appreciate a little help - Family member passed on a S&W MOD. 37 to me, serial # 473XXX, also says AIRWEIGHT 38 SPL.CTG. on snub barrel. Looks near new, i'm told 1 box of shells fired through it when purchased, after that never fired. Can anyone tell me when it was made? Also, aside from 38 cal, what kind of shell is safe for use? Lastly, i'd like to get rubber grips, seems to be square butt, plan to fire at range to get comfortable w/ it and keep it, or should this not be fired, any recommendations? thanks much.

[spoolie]

Thanks guys...here is the email address of the contact at S&W directly.

Valenze, David [[email protected]]

I emailed him back requesting him to double check his info please.

[laytonj1]

Tgun1,

Your m37 was made ~1964/65. It is rated for 38 Special only. Because of the aluminum frame I would not use +P ammo in it. Now, get some ammo and start shooting...

Jim

[tgun1]

Jim,
thanks very much for the info, really appreciate it.

read somewhere that the wood grips with diamond around the screwhole are valuable, any input on this? thought i would replace them to save wear.

[budget_patriot]

i havent been able to find any info or pics of this one so i'm gonna post some pics with this request. the sn is as the guy above posted s at the front of the butt followed by a six digit number. it is blued steel on the side of the 6 inch barrel says .38 s.&w. special ctg serial num is (S 990xx0)



i know +p wont blow it up but i wanna make sure exactly what i have. its a great shooter. very accurate. i am a handloader so i kinda wanna know what pressures this thing will handle reliably. thank you.