Smith and Wesson serial number search

[carguychris]

I have my father-in-law's pistol that he had as a young man... Only number on the bottom of the handle is 660XXX.

Your father-in-law's revolver is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change. It was built during the Depression-era timeframe when S&W was assembling guns in random serial number order using parts stockpiled during the 1920s. The only way to nail down the exact date is to request a factory letter.

[Uncle Lar]

Thanks. I knew it had to be pretty old.

[NavyEngineer]

Can anyone tell me the age of this revolver? I guessing early 1970s? Thanks.
NavyEngineer

[laytonj1]

Can anyone tell me the age of this revolver? I guessing early 1970s?

And you would be correct. Serial numbers ran from N1 in 1969 to N100000 in 1972.

Jim

[NavyEngineer]

Thanks, Jim!

[FLMom]

I just inherited my father's revolver. I don't really know anything about it. It's a S&W .38 special, serial number starts with 446
If you could help me out I'd appreciate it.
Thanks

[laytonj1]

It's a S&W .38 special, serial number starts with 446

Gonna need more info. Is it a 5 shot or 6? Take the serial number off the bottom of the grip butt and include any letters (see 1st picture). You can X out the last couple of digits but I need to know how many digits are there.
If it's recent manufacture the model number can be seen, as in the second picture, when you open the cylinder. (in this case a 629-1)

Jim

[FLMom]

Thanks for the info. It is a 5 shot. There are no letters in the serial number. The serial number is 6 digits. 4465XX
It says Model 36 on the inside. It looks pretty old.

[laytonj1]

Your model 36 falls in the SN/date range of 295000 in 1962 to 784544 in 1969.
So, mid 60's.

Jim

[FLMom]

Thanks Jim

[480volt]

I have aquirred an old S & W 32 long square butt,4 1/4", blued serial 43xxx looks like it has a B stamped before the serial# and a diamond after the serial# under the barrel, I think it is a1903 -1st change except this one has target sights. Any help would be appreciated.

[laytonj1]

I have aquirred an old S & W 32 long square butt,4 1/4", blued serial 43xxx looks like it has a B stamped before the serial# and a diamond after the serial# under the barrel, I think it is a1903 -1st change except this one has target sights.

A serial number of 43XXX would date it as a 1903 1st change, which was also available with target sights (worth a premium). But, the SCSW lists those as having round butts. Since the target versions came with extended grips which look like square butt, try removing them to see if it is a round butt.
The diamond and "B" letter refer to a factory refinish in blue and possible parts replacement.

Jim

[480volt]

it is a round butt with extended grips with 2 screws in the grip. The gun is in about 90% with only light wear around the muzzle due to holster wear.Does anybody have any idea about its value.

[NGIB]

Picked up a Model 37 today at my local shop that had come from a police dept buy. Very clean and the hammer bob was professionally done. The serial # is ADB14XX - when was it born...

[tyusclan]

According to the book it should be 1983.

There is one caveat on the three-letter, four-number serial numbers. There are often large gaps in sequence, or a sequence used for special runs before they were due to be used, etc.

The only way to know for sure is to get a letter from S&W, (true for all Smiths, but more so for these serial numbers) but unless there is some collector value to the gun, it may not be worth the cost.

[laytonj1]

The gun is in about 90% with only light wear around the muzzle due to holster wear.Does anybody have any idea about its value.

The problem with giving a value is it's been refinished. That, and the book says "premium for target sights" but doesn't say how much. That said, it was made between 1904 and 1906 and is a target model so it will likely still have collector value. I just don't know what it would be. Sorry.

Jim

[480volt]

Jim,thank you for help.I am going to go to the Fort worth Gun show tommorow, I will see what I can find out there now that you helped me identify what it is.

[RETPDSGT]

I have a K frame 22 with the serial number 72123. There is no model number on the shank. It looks rather old, I think late 40s early 50s maybe. It has a 6" barrel (not tapered)

[laytonj1]

I have a K frame 22 with the serial number 72123. There is no model number on the shank. It looks rather old, I think late 40s early 50s maybe. It has a 6" barrel (not tapered)

Take the serial number from the bottom of the grip butt. There should be a "K" prefix. K72123 would be 1948.

Jim

[fogwoman]

My dad passed away and the executor wants to know if I want this gun. It's a S&W .357, F27, Serial AUJxxxx. Good condition, 4" barrel. I'd appreciate any info you can provide...

[FlyFish]

My dad passed away and the executor wants to know if I want this gun. It's a S&W .357, F27, Serial AUJxxxx. Good condition, 4" barrel. I'd appreciate any info you can provide...

Well, regardless of anything else, the answer to the executor's question is "Hell, yes!"

Now that that's out of the way . . . Based on the serial number, the gun was produced in 1987, but it's not possible to say much more without either a lot of work trying to figure out which .357 models were being produced with 4" barrels in 1987, or (better) working from the model number, which will be stamped on the frame in the area that's exposed when you swing the cylinder out. If you can provide that, along with the "dash" variation - e.g., M27-5, then we can tell you a lot more. The "F27" has no particular meaning for me (unless it's really "M27", in which case you've got a very desirable revolver), but maybe someone else can chime in. Where on the gun does it appear?

[damHans]

I just picked up a Model 36 locally. The S/N on the bottom of the grip frame is 96xx (only four digits), but the number on the crane and the frame under the crane is 429xx. The rear of the cylinder also has the same number as the bottom of the grip frame. Which one is correct? Either way it was made in the early 50's right?

Oh and I paid $350 for it. I'm no expert but I'd put the finish at about 85-90%. The lock-up isn't as tight as my SP101, but it's serviceable.

[FlyFish]

damHans: The number on the frame (bottom of grip) is the legal serial number for the gun. It should also appear on the frame cutout that's exposed when you swing the cylinder out. If so, then the 429XXs are "assembly numbers" used to keep track of fitted parts during manufacture. I the 96XX doesn't appear anywhere else on the frame then I suppose it's possible that could mean that the gun was cobbled together from two other guns. The SN of 96XX would indicate a birthdate of 1952; 429XX would be 53-54.

[fogwoman]

Well, regardless of anything else, the answer to the executor's question is "Hell, yes!"

Ok-done!
The Model Number is 19-5. Anything else you might know about it?
I fired it a few times -- very nice! I think it's a keeper regardless of its heritage!!
Thanks for the info and FAST reply. What a great forum this is.

[FlyFish]

fogwoman: The Model 19 appears on just about anyone's short list of desirable S&W revolvers. I have a 19-2 from 1963 that's one of my favorite revolvers, and one that goes to the range often. The 19 is built on a slightly beefed-up K frame, which is the "medium" frame size used by S&W, and was intended to provide a smaller alternative to the "N" frame Model 27. You can get a ton more info on the Model 19 here, so I won't take up space repeating much of it.

Although like all Smiths it's a solid sturdy gun, the 19 was intended to be carried a lot and shot less (with .357s), so I'd not recommend a steady diet of full .357 loads. Like all .357s it will shoot .38 Special just fine and both you and the gun will be happier for it.

With regard to the -5 variation, it was made from 1982 to 1988. Smith used to pin the barrels of its revolvers and counterbore the cylinders on the magnums, but dropped both features in 1982, presumably as a cost-cutting measure. As a result your gun is of slightly less interest to some collectors, but of course of no less interest to you (my dad was not a gun hobbyist, so I'm always envious of those who have such priceless family heirlooms).