Smith and Wesson serial number search

[Whysoserious]

I have acquired a model 60 and wanted to know when it was made and anything about it. It's serial is R261xxx. It also has 88536 stamped on it.

[FlyFish]

I have acquired a model 60 and wanted to know when it was made and anything about it. It's serial is R261xxx. It also has 88536 stamped on it.

Your Model 60 was produced in 1979-1980; the serial number range for those years was R220001 to R280000. The "88536" is what's known as an "assembly number," used in the factory to keep track of fitted parts during the manufacturing process - it has no other significance.

As you probably know, the Model 60 is the stainless version of the Model 36 Chiefs Special, and it was S&W's first stainless revolver. The "R" serial number prefix is a little unusual in that it was used only for the Model 60 and for early production runs of the somewhat obscure Model 651 .22 magnum rimfire kit gun.

The Model 60 was introduced in 1965 and remains part of S&W's current product line, available both in .357 and in .38 Special +p only, and can also be had with adjustable sights and a longer barrel.

[Whysoserious]

Thank you. If you were to put a value on this particular s&w what would that be.

[FlyFish]

Assuming it's in nice shape with the original grips (stocks, in S&W speak), I'd say +/- $450

[RedneckFur]

I picked up a used model 10-10 earlier today. I've been told it was an Australian police trade in, but have no way to confirm that.

Serial number BKZ52XX.

Can one of you fine folks tell me the year and anything else that shows up with that serial?

[TEBrown]

Can someone please tell me the approx. Manufacture date of a Model 28Highway Patrolman, serial No. N5738xx. It is in extreamly good shape with original grips, no real holster wear. I would like to also get an approx value.
Thanks
Todd

[FlyFish]

I picked up a used model 10-10 earlier today. I've been told it was an Australian police trade in, but have no way to confirm that.

Serial number BKZ52XX.

Late 1991 or early 1992. They were using the numbers a bit out of order then, so it's difficult to pin down. The book mentions a number of different countries that purchased batches of Model 10s, but doesn't say anything about Australia, which doesn't necessarily mean anything - the ones they do mention are in unusual configurations or carry unusual markings. The heavy barrel 10-10 was introduced in 1988 and replaced by the 10-12 in 1997; the corresponding tapered barrel models were the -9 and -11.

Can someone please tell me the approx. Manufacture date of a Model 28Highway Patrolman, serial No. N5738xx.

The N5xxxxx series was produced from 1978 to 1980. Prices on N-frames have been escalating rapidly lately. Based on the condition you describe, I'd say somewhere around $650.

[TEBrown]

Quote:
Can someone please tell me the approx. Manufacture date of a Model 28Highway Patrolman, serial No. N5738xx.

The N5xxxxx series was produced from 1978 to 1980. Prices on N-frames have been escalating rapidly lately. Based on the condition you describe, I'd say somewhere around $650.

Wow, thanks a bunch FlyFish. I really appreciate your help in this.

[RedneckFur]

Thank you, FlyFish!

[Captain H]

I just picked up a new Model 10 no-dash. I was told that it is a 1960 but wanted to verify if any of you might know by checking. The serial # is

C 449459

Thank you for any help.

[FlyFish]

The serial # is C 449459.

1960 it is. The range that year was C429741 to C474148.

[Captain H]

Thank you very much.

[Zuben]

Hi...newbie here, with another gun from a grandfather!

.38 Special, Serial Number 26XX.

You can see the ID on the barrel in white; I'm pretty sure my dad did that with Liquid Paper (the sights are also touched up that way).

The story was that this dated to WWI, but I honestly don't know. Was passed down from my grandfather to my dad and then to me.

Thanks in advance!
-Glenn

[Laddie99]

I just got a SW 28-2 with serial # N600xxx. Can anyone tell me what is the year this baby was born? How much will a gun like this go . She is in good condition

[joedaddy81]

Hello I just purchased a 12-2 airwieght 2" nickel in the box and never fired. serial is 2D48xxx I was wondering a manufacture year and approximate value?

[Mojave]

Added to the S&W revolver family with a cherry Model 19-4 serial 57K0xxx. Anyone know the manufacture date? Should be between '77-82. Thanks!!

[FlyFish]

.38 Special, Serial Number 26XX.

Zuben, I've been trying to figure out what you've got for a while, but I'm stumped for the moment. A .38 Special, 6-shot, hand ejector like yours (I'm filling in the 6-shot from the photo, but that's what it looks like), should be the common .38 M&P. The problem I'm having is that with that very low serial number the gun would date to the first year of production (1899), and 1st Model M&Ps did not have a barrel lug. It also appears to be a square butt, and 1st Models were reportedly all round butt. Perhaps someone who's better with this than I am can weigh in, but in the interim, two questions: First, is that the entire serial number? It would appear to be from the photo, but please confirm that (and also that it's 6-shot). Second, does the S&W logo appear anywhere on the gun? There were many copies made - yours appears genuine from the photo, but some of the copies can be pretty convincing.

I just got a SW 28-2 with serial # N600xxx.

1979 to 1980, most likely 1979. For value, scroll back up a few posts. If by "good condition" you mean "good" in the context of valuing firearms, then subtract $100 or so. If it's more like what TEBrown described for his gun, then yours would be of similar value.

I just purchased a 12-2 airwieght 2" nickel in the box and never fired. serial is 2D48xxx

1979-1980. Model 12s originally (introduced 1952) came with an alloy cylinder, which would make the gun considerably more valuable and also dangerous to fire. I think yours would be well past the time that the cylinders were changed to steel, but you should check (with a magnet). Assuming steel cylinder, I'd say it's worth about $650 to $700, though you may need to hold out until the right collector comes along - the book says to double that if it's alloy.

Added to the S&W revolver family with a cherry Model 19-4 serial 57K0xxx.

1980, presumably very early 1980. The range that year was 57K0001 to 91K6800

[Mojave]

Thanks FlyFish!

[Zuben]

Flyfish,

It is a six-shot. The cellphone pic doesn't show it well, but there is a S&W logo just above the handle (it's faint, but definitely there). There are only four digits in the serial number. I debated blurring the last two out, but wanted to stay in the guidelines of posting serial numbers here.

The gun has been kept in excellent condition. My father was an excellent marksman and always took care of his weapons. It hasn't been fired in 20 years.

Thank you for looking into this!

Added comment: After reading your comments and looking further on the Internet, this gun looks a lot more like a Model 1905, 4th change. I still can't explain the serial number issue.

[laytonj1]

It is a six-shot. The cellphone pic doesn't show it well, but there is a S&W logo just above the handle (it's faint, but definitely there). There are only four digits in the serial number.

It's definitely a 38 Military & Police.
The serial number should also be stamped on the underside of the barrel near the frame and on the back of the cylinder. See if those are also 26xx. If not, I have another theory.

Jim

[joedaddy81]

Thanks FlyFish!

[Zuben]

Jim (laytonj1),

Bingo. The serial number is a six-digit one: 6826xx. The last four digits matching those on the butt of the grip.

So, the mystery is: why would the first two digits be missing?

I read an earlier message where someone noted that their gun had a round spot where a lanyard might have been mounted but was filled in. That describes the condition of my gun handle also, but that would make it seem that it was done aftermarket and then reversed. The other possibility is that someone faked the lanyard hole after removing the first two digits of the serial number.

Still doesn't make any sense to me, but I think I have a better idea of the gun's age (late 1930's, based on earlier posts here).

Thanks!
-Glenn

[FlyFish]

The serial number is a six-digit one: 6826xx.

OK, that makes sense now. What you've got is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change, manufactured between 1915 and 1942, in the serial number range of 241704 to 700000. So, it's highly unlikely (being near the end of the range) that it's old enough to have been used in WWI.

I'd noticed what appeared to be a filled-in hole for a lanyard ring in your photo and thought briefly about whether there might have been part of the serial number in that location, but it honestly never occurred to me that someone would drill out part of the number - obviously after market, as you say. I don't know what the legal status of the gun might be - if the only serial number were on the butt, as is the case for many guns, it would definitely be a rather serious federal crime to possess it. In your case, where the number also appears un-defaced in other locations, I'm not sure.

[dasanii19]

In need of some info on my newly acquired s&w 686. Would appreciate value/year and if it has any open recalls on it. ALVxxx

Thank you!

[FlyFish]

In need of some info on my newly acquired s&w 686. Would appreciate value/year and if it has any open recalls on it. ALVxxx

The ALV serial number prefix would indicate late 1985 or early 1986. It will be either a "no dash" or a -1, which you can check by swinging out the cylinder and looking at the part of the frame that's exposed - the model number will be stamped there.

At the same time, look to see if there's also an "M" stamped in that area. The 686 and 686-1 models were part of a recall that also included Models 586, 681, and 581 to correct a condition with the firing pin and bushing, which could cause the gun to lock up when firing certain hot loads. My understanding is that S&W will still do this fix at no cost, and will also pay for shipping both ways. Not everyone has the problem and not everyone has the modification done. My recommendation would be to get it done if needed, and absolutely get it done if you ever anticipate using the gun for SD.

There's a thread currently running about 686 values that you may want to check out. Although there are differing opinions, my sense is that depending on condition and where you're located, value could range from around $500 to $650 or so.