Smith and Wesson serial number search

[Dave Anderson]

Model 66-1 2 1/2" - 77K8XXX

Made in 1979

Model 66 no-dash 4" - 4k93XXX

Made in 1974

The other numbers are inventory parts and assembly numbers

Side note: the 66's action is incredibly smooth and it feels like it has received a very good trigger job

The model 66 may well have been tuned up by a commercial pistolsmith or (if it is a police trade-in) by an S&W-trained armorer. Many police agencies sent their armorers to the S&W factory for training courses. All these armorers were at least competent, and some (though they didn't do commercial work and are probably long since retired) were really good.

[wombathunter]

s&w 5906
S#VCZ5xxx
First gun ever. Will buy the book i promise. Already hooked on them. Already want an older revolver or the 6906. Thanks

[Oxkey511]

Just found your great forums! I understand that Smith & Wesson has a reference available for determining the date a revolver was manufactured, but since I only have the one S&M .38 that I inherited, I was hoping one of you Senior Members could help me date it. It's a Model 36 .38 special with the serial number 1J21xx. The barrel is less than 2". I read all the previous posts in this thread and didn't see any serial numbers like this. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[netsecsys]

Dave, Thanks for the info!

[Dave Anderson]

It's a Model 36 .38 special with the serial number 1J21xx.

S&W began using the 1J prefix in 1970. Since yours is a relatively low number I expect it was made in 1970.

[micksis86]

Hi there, looking for the age of a model 16 serial number BFS34xx.
Also wondering if this is chambered for 32 s&w long or 32 h&r magnum?
Thanks

[Oxkey511]

Dave Anderson, thank you for the date! From family comments, I had thought it was early '70's or late '60's. Appreciate the quick response. David

[Carson1023]

I have a Smith and Wesson Model 18. Can anyone help me determine the age and value of this firearm? Serial Number- 161950

Attachment 71645

Attachment 71647

[Dave Anderson]

I have a Smith and Wesson Model 18. Can anyone help me determine the age and value of this firearm? Serial Number- 161950

Made in 1952, meaning it is a Combat Masterpiece .22 model. S&W did not begin to use model numbers until 1957 at which time this model was assigned number 18.

Incidentally even though the letter "K" is offset a bit from the numbers it helps with identification to use it as part of the serial number, i.e. K161950.

To wombathunter and micksis86, I'm not ignoring you but as it happens the reference book I have with me at present doesn't have the three letter/four numeric serial numbers. You'll have to wait for laytonj1, who is the real expert on this thread, to check in.

[Carson1023]

@ Dave Anderson. Thank you very much for the information, it is much appreciated.I have been struggling on finding the age on my own for a while now... Any idea what the value may be?

[majordon]

Can anyone tell me the year of mfg of a S&W Model 15-1 with serial number
K4434XX?

Thanks for any help.

[Dave Anderson]

Can anyone tell me the year of mfg of a S&W Model 15-1 with serial number
K4434XX?

1961

[Stumpp2k7]

can i get some info on this S&W 38 special Serial # V43XXX

[Dave Anderson]

an i get some info on this S&W 38 special Serial # V43XXX

This is a Military & Police model revolver made during WW II. The V (for Victory) prefix was introduced April 24, 1942 when the previous serial number range reached 999999.

Between April 24, 1942 and August 27, 1945 S&W made 811,119 Victory models. Yours was made fairly early in the series, most likely around mid-1942.

Revolvers made for Britain and other Commonwealth nations (e.g. India) were chambered for .38 S&W. Those for U.S. use were chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. Many were issued to security personnel guarding plants manufacturing war material.

Your revolver has the older style hammer block system. The design depended on spring pressure to return the hammer block to position. It was found that excessive dirt or grease could keep the hammer block from returning, so S&W introduced a new more positive system at s/n V769000. These are stamped with the prefix VS (occasionally SV), the "S" indicating the new safety system.

If older pistols such as yours are to be fired, the hammer block should first be checked for proper function. Personally even then I'd keep an empty chamber under the hammer.

Victory models have become quite collectible. Since a great many were made they aren't hard to find, but they can be hard to find in really good condition, say with 95% original finish.

Though they lacked the high polish and blued finish of commercial revolvers these were very well made. S&W quality did not deteriorate during the war years. The amazing number produced is just another example of the staggering production achievements of American industry during the war years.

[flyguy958]

I'd like to know the birth year of a new purchase. Ballpark on value if you care to gander.
S&W 65-3, Serial AFU4***. 3", factory grips, 96%. Thanks!

[Broke Hoss]

My future daughter-in-law showed me a Smith & Wesson, Mdl 36-1, Ser# J474xxx, round butt It was given to her by her grandmother. With my limited knowledge I guessed it was from the mid to late 60's. Very clean looking gun. Could you help me out with a more precise year of manufacture?

I appreciate the help.

[grousebuster]

I don't own the book either and just joined the group.Would anyone care to date my 3 Smiths for me?Thanks. K-38 s/n6606xx;22/32 kit gun (34-1) s/nM92xx;mdl19,s/nk9003xx I shoot all 3 of these regularly and throughly enjoy the quality that Smith and Wesson has put into these hanguns.Seems like the esthetics seen in the earlier firearms are often missing with current manufacture.Maybe I'm just getting old.Thanks for the help. Tom

[Dave Anderson]

My future daughter-in-law showed me a Smith & Wesson, Mdl 36-1, Ser# J474xxx,

The reference book I have at hand (A History of Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks) indicates 1976.

K-38 s/n6606xx;

1966

22/32 kit gun (34-1) s/nM92xx

The M prefix was introduced October 1968. The Kit Guns were steady but not huge selling models. This example was most likely made in 1969.

mdl19,s/nk9003xx

1969

[iccojo]

Can anyone tell me what year my 32 pistol was made? Serial #164xxx

[laytonj1]

s&w 5906
S#VCZ5xxx

The book has incomplete data for Smith's semi autos after 1993.
That said, The "V" prefix started in 1994 and 5906's were made from 1989 to 1999. So, somewhere around 1994-99.
S&W's customer service can narrow the date down over the phone for free.

model 16 serial number BFS34xx.
Also wondering if this is chambered for 32 s&w long or 32 h&r magnum?

1990/91.
Chambering would be 32 H&R magnum but it will also fire the 32 S&W long.

S&W 65-3, Serial AFU4***. 3", factory grips, 96%

Late 1984.
Around $350 to $400 for a minty 65. Although there is likely a small premium for the 3" barrel.

Model #4 Serial #164xxx

Serial numbers ran from 43406 in 1883 to 282999 in 1909

Jim

[flyguy958]

Thanks!

[iccojo]

Thank You for your help, any idea what it would be worth?

[jpzxcv]

Hi, a friend's grandfather left him a S&W with a serial 29xxx, it seems to have been used during the spanish civil war 1936-1939, any idea what year is it from and how much could it be sold for? Thanks¡

[laytonj1]

Model #4 32
Thank You for your help, any idea what it would be worth?

2006 pricing shows $150 in good to $400 in excellent.

S&W with a serial 29xxx

S&W reused the same serial numbers on numerous models of guns. So, I need more info.
What caliber? How many rounds does it hold? Is it an older break-top action (barrel tips down to reload) or a modern swing out cylinder? Did you take the serial number from the underside of the frames grip butt?
Value on older guns depends heavily on condition... pictures help allot.

Jim

[D Thomson]

Can you all help me with the same question, S&W 38 SPL ser. # V137XXX ? Thanks