Smith and Wesson serial number search

[Jauflyer]

Hello everybody,

New to the forum here and recently purchased my first revolver. A S&W 357. It's a model 686-4 , with a 4" barrel and was told by the dealer it came in from the Austrian police.

I bought the online version of the Smith catalog to try finding out about the "born on date", but was unable to determine since my serial prefix is not listed.

So, any help, outside of me submitting the paperwork back to S&W with $50 to get a letter would be awesome. My serial is BSD53xx.

FYI...there was a no BSD listed in the table, but a BDS was .. Don't know of that was a transpose of letters, or if it was part of a special run that did not have a standard serial #.

Thanks in advance for any help......

[skoro]

I have a S&W Model 17-5 with 4" barrel and serial #AUZ46xx that I suspect is early 80s manufacture as the barrel isn't pinned. I'd appreciate a better fix on the date from any of you experts out there.

Thanks!

[laytonj1]

My serial is BSD53xx

The later serial numbers can be confusing. There is some conflicting info in the book and S&W used some serial numbers out of sequence.
BSD falls after BRF in 94 and before CAM in 96. Most likely late 94.

serial #AUZ46xx

~1987.

Jim

[Jauflyer]

Jim,

Thx for clarifying for me. Would you have any qualms about buying a gun that was used in law enforcement over seas???

My buddy who went with me when I purchased recently said that LEO's take good care of their stuff. The gun is in good shape and doesn't show signs of abuse. Just don't know how many rounds were run though it.

Probably just paranoia on my part....

thx again for your help with serial #

[jeffinky]

I have acquired a smith and Wesson on the barrel the best I can read it says pat'd jan 17&25 65 july 11 65 aug 24 69 (maybe 65 hard to read) july 25 71 may 11 1880 It is a top break that looks to be either 32 or 38 by guessing. It is nickle below the grips on the metal looks like a serial number of 84xx5 not sure about the 4 What is a ball park value of this gun? What caliber is it? I would like to think it is real old, but a gut feeling tells me it's not. Attachment 75841

[laytonj1]

serial number of 84xx5

With that serial number and it being a single action break-top there are two possibilities.
1. If it's 32 caliber then it's a Model One-and-a-Half.
Serial numbers ran from 1 in 1878 to 97574 in 1892.

2. If it's a 38 then it would be a .38 Single Action 2nd Model.
Serial numbers ran from 1 in 1877 to 108255 in 1891.

You'll have to figure out the caliber, but I'm guessing it's the 38 from the picture. Either way, it's old.

As far as value, based on 2006 pricing in excellent condition would be about $500.

Jim

[Dan F]

I am here to request the generous assistance of those here armed with The Catalog…

I acquired two Model 10’s from Budsgunshop.com recently, when they started their police buy-back special. The first was a 10-5 square-butt with a 3” barrel, serial #D808xxx, the next a 10-8 square-butt with a 4” heavy barrel, serial #5D92xxx.

I did make some attempts to find this information before deciding to post… I dug through dozens of the pages here (not all 100+, however…!), and the pertinent entries seemed to indicate the 10-5 was from 1975-1977, and the 10-8 from 1979. I tried calling S&W at 1-800-331-0852, as recommended in another entry, only to hear (after 20 minutes on hold) the rep tell me both guns had been produced THIS YEAR, the latest as recent as July or August, I believe. He was not persuaded from this even when I offered that they were buy-backs, with holster-wear and worn wooden grips. Oh well.

If any of the resident savants will oblige me to look up their production dates, I will be most appreciative!

[Tall Pine]

Dan F,

I am a newb at this so forgive me if I read this incorrectly. But I am happy to give it a try...the book is glad to get some attention

On pg 399 of my book (the 3rd edition) it shows:

Your 10-5 is a 1975-1976 production. The range starts in 1975 at D750001 and ends in 1976 at D870000.

Your 10-8 is a 1979. The range starts and ends in 1979 for serial# 4D00001 to 6D10000.

I hope thats right. Sounds like it might be because it ties out to your research. How do you like the Buds trade ins? I see them advertised and wonder what condition they are in.

Enjoy and happy plinkin'
Tall

[jeffinky]

Thank you laytonj1!!!!!!!!!! I am sure the gun is a 38 too. Thanks so much, and so quickly!!

[mooney1el]

New member here seeking information. A friend of mine has acquired a nickel plated S&W revolver, 38 Special CTG with the serial number K 233XXX as displayed on the butt and elsewhere, I do not have the numbers inside the frame however. Can anyone tell the year of manufacture etc for this gun?

Thanks in advance.

[thedaddycat]

Hi all. I would like to find out the year of manufacture for a small blued five shot S&W revolver. I do have the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson on order but it won't come in until next week, after which I can also help others with similar questions.

Anyhow, the Serial No. is J75XXX. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me.

[laytonj1]

K 233XXX

1955.
SN's ran from K231256 to K266164 that year.
S&W did not start stamping model numbers on their guns until 1957.
The K prefix identifies it as an adjustable sighted K frame. That and the 38 special chambering means it's either a K-38 Target Masterpiece (6" barrel) or K-38 Combat Masterpiece (4" barrel).
The Combat Masterpiece went on to become the model 15 and the Target Masterpiece the model 14.

Serial No. is J75XXX

SN's ran from J1 in 1969 to J99999 in 1970.
The model number is stamped on the frame just forward of the cylinder and only visable with the cylinder swung open.

Jim

[mooney1el]

Thank you very much Jim, you are soooooo much help to us non-revolver owners. This particular example is in pristine condition with no holster rash or marks anywhere and appears to be little, if any, fired. It is said to be a former BATF weapon.

Thanks again!!

[Mnrepoman]

xx

[thedaddycat]

Thanks laytonj1, it is a Model 38. The grips are a little small for my paws but fit my better half pretty well. That's perfect, as both she and it were made in 1970(though final delivery on her was not until '71). This one is small enough for CC but more than big enough for backing some miscreant down if needed...

[ktoivat]

can anyone please help me identify and date this revolver, the only numbers I can find are 863xx

thanks

[jackyl1313]

Hi, i would like to find some info on a handgun my dad gave me. it's a Smith & Wesson .38 SPL. 2" barrel 6 shot Serial # 4D137xx Any info would be much appreciated.Thanks,Steven

[Dan F]

Tall Pine,

Many thanks for sharing your time and resources!

I was somewhat disappointed that the S&W rep didn't even try to dig a little, but I guess I shouldn't expect too much from a free call. You get much better results from a free blog post!

As for Buds, I can't speak for the condition of any other guns but mine, but my two are in excellent shape... the bore's are shiny, grooves sharp, lockup is nice and tight, bluing is ~85%. The holster wear is obvious but not excessive, which just gives them character in my opinion, which is also true for the original wood grips... the wear is slight and just adds personality. And Buds has always given me great service as well as very good prices, so I have nothing but good to say about the whole transaction.

Thanks again!

Dan

[RickyRocket]

I have two pre-M&P's that I know nothing about except made sometime in the 40's. Could I please get whatever info ya'll have ro share?

4" C2289 (full number)
and
5" 912xxx this one has landyard ring

Thanks

[laytonj1]

the only numbers I can find are 863xx

While 863xx would date to 1906/07 it would be chambered in 38 Special. However, from the picture I see it's chambered in .38 S&W (vs .38 Special).
So, it's likely a Victory model (.38 Military & Police) made for the British during WWII.
I'm guessing there is (or was) a "V" somewhere around the serial number on the butt?

Serial # 4D137xx

1979.
It's likely a model 10 if blued finish or model 64 if stainless steel.
The model number is stamped on the frame just forward of the cylinder and only visable with the cylinder swung open.

4" C2289 (full number)and
5" 912xxx this one has landyard ring

They're still M&P's, which became model 10's around 1957.
C2289 would be 1948.
912xxx would be around 1942.

Jim

[ktoivat]

Thanks laytonj1,
I cant find a V anywhere on the butt, the serial number is 7515xx

The Victory model (.38 Military & Police) made for the British during WWII sounds right as I found the gun in Papua New Guinea, lots of Australian soldiers here during WWII.

It is chambered for S&W .38, I have fired it a few times.



Thanks again for your help

[uarcher]

Hi,

I recently purchsed a S&W 686 mod-3 with serial number BDRXXXX. It has National Match engraved in the barrel and has a staggered 5 7 3 mark on the yoke. It also has 1 of 500 stamped on the frame. Does anybody have any idea on the date of manufacture and approximate value? I am very happy with it and only request the value because it was purchased used (on impulse) and would like to validate that I did not overpay. Thank you in advance for any help.

[mongo356]

Hello,

I'm relatively new here & hoping someone can help.
About 25 years ago my father and I both bought S&W 586's at the same time. It was my first pistol that I bought (I was about 12yrs old) and was wondering the following:

1- can someone confirm if it was a 586 no dash or -1,-2 etc?
2- roughly when if was shipped or MFG'd?

Info for my pistol is: S&W 586 LP, Blued, 6"bbl, patridge front sight, w/o rear adjustable sight, smooth trigger, large square checkered wood grips. Sn# AEL 3343

Info for Dad's pistol: S&W 586 RR WO, blued, 6"bbl, red ramp front sight, w/o rear adjustable sight, grooved target trigger, large squared checkered wood grips. Sn# ATV 4515.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, sadly we sold them some time ago (wish we didn't but hind sight). We were reminiscing the other day and got curious. We both harvested a couple of Illinois squirrels with these pistols.

Thank you in advance
Mongo

laytonj1-

Sn# AEL 3343
Sn# ATV 4515.

AEL would be 1984 and a no dash.
ATV around 1987 and could be a -1 or -2.

Jim

Thank You Sir!!

[laytonj1]

I cant find a V anywhere on the butt, the serial number is 7515xx

That SN makes more sense. That dates it to just before/beginning of WWII, which is just prior to the Victory model but is consistent with it being a British service model.

S&W 686 mod-3 with serial number BDRXXXX

Per the SCSW:
Product code 104254: 5" barrel, made for Bill Davis, dual speed loader cutouts, unfluted cylinder, 500 manufactured in 1989, National Match.

I don't know what the collector value on one would be. You might get an answer over on the S&W forum.

Sn# AEL 3343
Sn# ATV 4515.

AEL would be 1984 and a no dash.
ATV around 1987 and could be a -1 or -2.

Jim

[uarcher]

Thank you so much. This is the first information of any kind that has been provided to me and I really appreciate it. I am very happy to have some direction in my search.