S&W serial numbers

brucegodlesky · 06-22-2008, 07:22 AM

Is there anywhere online where i can research vintage S&W serial numbers? I've acquired an old pocket pistol and was curious as to the age . Thanks . bruce

pajaro · 06-26-2008, 04:00 AM

not sure yet.... am looking..... i do know that you can tell what years the model was manufactured..... gives you some larger time bracket, i suppose..... what model is it and in what calibre? .......

rfc357 · 06-27-2008, 09:27 AM

Don't know about the internet, but I have a book. I have been pretty successful in finding dates for old Smiths. Tell me the caliber, identifying marks, serial number. Leave out the last couple of digits if you like, but include x's. Like 1234xxx. I need to know how many digits in the serial number to do this right. Top break or swing-out? A picture is very helpful.

By the way, some Smiths have a lot of numbers on them. The serial number is usually on the bottom of the grip frame. You may have to remove the grips to see it.

I don't know how "old" your gun is. Sometimes people think a gun is "old" when it was made in my lifetime. I don't think I'm "old." But if the gun is a swing-out and has a model number on the frame under the crane, include that also.

pajaro · 06-28-2008, 02:51 AM

without a model number, we cant even give the years that model is made..... i cannot find a comprehensive source for s&w serial #'s.... some sources say in fact that the numbers are duplicated and confusing..... i have found some other sources that say you can contact smith & wesson for veriication , but that may be for rare or special firearms only......... does any one else have any info on the s&w question? for winchester and remington, info is readily available..... what about s & w?.......

vonfatman · 06-28-2008, 11:58 AM

This is the book.
Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica, Richard Nahas (2007) about $25.00

This is S&W's customer service number:
800-331-0852 then 7
They can generally get you a date of manuf. during business hours or you can request a letter from S&W for $35.00

I don't know of an on-line resource.

If you had provided the gun's serial number, I would expect you would have an answer already. Many have the book and would have looked it up for you.

Here's another resource:

Smith & Wesson Forum
S&W Revolvers 1857 to 1945 - Forum Powered by eve community

rfc357 · 06-30-2008, 09:56 AM

pajaro, the great majority of Smiths made before 1957 did not have model numbers. It is still relatively easy to determine model and vintage (at least approximately) from serial number and other identifying characteristics such as caliber. A picture is a great help, as minor features changed over the years (pinned vs. forged front sights, left had thread vs. right hand thread on ejector rods, etc.). It can be a fun little detective puzzle.

vonfatman is spot on. Supica's book is my primary reference. It still can be a little tough to nail down a specific year without a factory letter, because Smith did not always produce guns in serial number order.

brucegodlesky · 07-18-2008, 03:32 PM

Here is a picture of my S&W. This is a "lemon squeezer"??
5 shot, top break. Looks to be a .32. Serial number on the bottom of the grip is 82xxx.
Thanks guys!

brucegodlesky · 07-29-2008, 12:03 PM

bttt

ffspanky33 · 08-23-2009, 12:55 AM

I wonder If you could help me out as well sir, I have a 38 S&W Spl. snub nose, Im sure it is a genuine S&W, it's a model 10-5 swing out that was made in springfield,mass per the markings, she's completely blue except for the wooden grips inlayed with the S&W trademark. The serial number is C96870X.Any Info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

ffspanky33 · 08-23-2009, 01:01 AM

The Model number is located on the frame under the swing out crane, Thank you again in advance. hope you check back to this thread

madcratebuilder · 08-24-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucegodlesky

Here is a picture of my S&W. This is a "lemon squeezer"??
5 shot, top break. Looks to be a .32. Serial number on the bottom of the grip is 82xxx.
Thanks guys!

I have the same model, #148XXX, made in 1905. That would put yours around 03-04?

Quote:

I wonder If you could help me out as well sir, I have a 38 S&W Spl. snub nose, Im sure it is a genuine S&W, it's a model 10-5 swing out that was made in springfield,mass per the markings, she's completely blue except for the wooden grips inlayed with the S&W trademark. The serial number is C96870X.Any Info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

Model and Dash numbering system
--------------------------------
Model 10
-1 1959 Heavy Barrel
-2 1961 Changed extractor rod thread to LH on standard barrel
-3 1961 Same as above, for heavy barrel
-4 1962 Screw in front of trigger eliminated
-5 1962 1/10" to 1/8" front sight, on standard barrel
-5 1962 Screw in front of trigger guard eliminated on
heavy barrel model
-7 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-8 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
on heavy barrel model

C Series K Frames: (Fixed Sight Models)

C1 - C233,999………….....1948 – 52
C236,004 – C261,483…….1953
C277,555 – C314,031….…1954 – 56
C402,924 – C405,018…….1957
C405,019 – C429,740…..1958 – 59
C429,741 – C474,148…….1960
C474,149 – C622,699…….1961 – 62
C622,700 – C810,532…….1963 – 65
C810,533 – C999,999…..1966 – 67

Looks like your S&W Model 10 M&P was born in 1967.
That's a nice snubbie you have.

ffspanky33 · 08-24-2009, 09:53 AM

Thank you very much buddy

pold9000 · 10-25-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcratebuilder

I have the same model, #148XXX, made in 1905. That would put yours around 03-04?

Model and Dash numbering system
--------------------------------
Model 10
-1 1959 Heavy Barrel
-2 1961 Changed extractor rod thread to LH on standard barrel
-3 1961 Same as above, for heavy barrel
-4 1962 Screw in front of trigger eliminated
-5 1962 1/10" to 1/8" front sight, on standard barrel
-5 1962 Screw in front of trigger guard eliminated on
heavy barrel model
-7 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-8 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
on heavy barrel model

C Series K Frames: (Fixed Sight Models)

C1 - C233,999………….....1948 – 52
C236,004 – C261,483…….1953
C277,555 – C314,031….…1954 – 56
C402,924 – C405,018…….1957
C405,019 – C429,740…..1958 – 59
C429,741 – C474,148…….1960
C474,149 – C622,699…….1961 – 62
C622,700 – C810,532…….1963 – 65
C810,533 – C999,999…..1966 – 67

Looks like your S&W Model 10 M&P was born in 1967.
That's a nice snubbie you have.

Hi
the serial number is
J648108

what is the year manufactured?

bye
wolfgang
Austria

BOBBLAKELY · 11-04-2009, 11:51 AM

Can anyone help? I have a s&w model 66-1,6" stainless steel, 357 #60k2282, trying to find the history and value, strong gun and has adjustable sights shoots great.

vonfatman · 11-05-2009, 02:09 PM

Mr. brucegodlesky,

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition...

Your gun is .32 Safety Hammerless (a.k.a. Safety, New Departure or Lemon Squeezer)

Yours is a 1st Model which was manufactured from 1888 - 1902. The serial number range for the 1st Model guns: 1 - 91,417

Your gun appears to be in good condition (or better) and thus the estimated value: $250-300 if the action is good and the bore is decent.

If I were guessing...(which is all I am doing)...I'd estimate your gun was produced towards the end of the 1st Models which might put it out-the-door around 1901-02???

My gun is a bit older, s.n. 298xx Here's my gun.

Mr. madcratebuilder,
Your gun would most likely be a 2nd Model based on it's serial number. The 2nd Model Serial Number range: 91,418 - 170,000

Wolfgang,
Your snub-nose S&W may be a Model 36 (pop open the cylinder and look on the frame).
1977 - 1978

Mr. BOBBLAKELY,
I covet a nice Model 66 to go with my Model 19. Your gun would have been manufactured in 1980. Value, well I'm no expert, but if it's in fine shape, don't let it go for less than four-Franklins.

As ALWAYS....a factory letter ($50) is the only certain way to determine age and (in many instances) the condition the gun left the factory.

Bob

LefthandShooter · 11-05-2009, 03:53 PM

Send any S&W pistols to me and I'll research them, and return them when I am confident I can find no more info on them.

Might be a good deal of years though....

allendjames · 11-14-2009, 03:38 PM

I have an old S&W revolver of unknown caliber. I'll check the cylinder bore diameter and barrel bore. I need to know what caliber it is and approximate mfg. date.
Could anyone help me with this? S/N is 445781
There is no model number marking on it that I can find. Its pretty rusty but I believe salvagable.

06-26-2008, 04:00 AM	#2
pajaro Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: newcastle, california Posts: 334	date of manufacture not sure yet.... am looking..... i do know that you can tell what years the model was manufactured..... gives you some larger time bracket, i suppose..... what model is it and in what calibre? .......

06-27-2008, 09:27 AM	#3
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Don't know about the internet, but I have a book. I have been pretty successful in finding dates for old Smiths. Tell me the caliber, identifying marks, serial number. Leave out the last couple of digits if you like, but include x's. Like 1234xxx. I need to know how many digits in the serial number to do this right. Top break or swing-out? A picture is very helpful. By the way, some Smiths have a lot of numbers on them. The serial number is usually on the bottom of the grip frame. You may have to remove the grips to see it. I don't know how "old" your gun is. Sometimes people think a gun is "old" when it was made in my lifetime. I don't think I'm "old." But if the gun is a swing-out and has a model number on the frame under the crane, include that also. __________________ Certified rifle and pistol instructor Last edited by rfc357; 06-27-2008 at 09:30 AM.

06-28-2008, 02:51 AM	#4
pajaro Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: newcastle, california Posts: 334	s & w serial number.... without a model number, we cant even give the years that model is made..... i cannot find a comprehensive source for s&w serial #'s.... some sources say in fact that the numbers are duplicated and confusing..... i have found some other sources that say you can contact smith & wesson for veriication , but that may be for rare or special firearms only......... does any one else have any info on the s&w question? for winchester and remington, info is readily available..... what about s & w?.......

07-18-2008, 03:32 PM	#7
brucegodlesky Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Armstrong County Pa Posts: 25	Here is a picture of my S&W. This is a "lemon squeezer"?? 5 shot, top break. Looks to be a .32. Serial number on the bottom of the grip is 82xxx. Thanks guys! Attached Thumbnails

11-05-2009, 02:09 PM	#15
vonfatman Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	Mr. brucegodlesky, According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition... Your gun is .32 Safety Hammerless (a.k.a. Safety, New Departure or Lemon Squeezer) Yours is a 1st Model which was manufactured from 1888 - 1902. The serial number range for the 1st Model guns: 1 - 91,417 Your gun appears to be in good condition (or better) and thus the estimated value: $250-300 if the action is good and the bore is decent. If I were guessing...(which is all I am doing)...I'd estimate your gun was produced towards the end of the 1st Models which might put it out-the-door around 1901-02??? My gun is a bit older, s.n. 298xx Here's my gun. Mr. madcratebuilder, Your gun would most likely be a 2nd Model based on it's serial number. The 2nd Model Serial Number range: 91,418 - 170,000 Wolfgang, Your snub-nose S&W may be a Model 36 (pop open the cylinder and look on the frame). 1977 - 1978 Mr. BOBBLAKELY, I covet a nice Model 66 to go with my Model 19. Your gun would have been manufactured in 1980. Value, well I'm no expert, but if it's in fine shape, don't let it go for less than four-Franklins. As ALWAYS....a factory letter ($50) is the only certain way to determine age and (in many instances) the condition the gun left the factory. Bob Last edited by vonfatman; 11-05-2009 at 02:25 PM.

06-22-2008, 07:22 AM	#1
brucegodlesky Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Armstrong County Pa Posts: 25	S&W serial numbers Is there anywhere online where i can research vintage S&W serial numbers? I've acquired an old pocket pistol and was curious as to the age . Thanks . bruce

06-28-2008, 11:58 AM	#5
vonfatman Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	This is the book. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica, Richard Nahas (2007) about $25.00 This is S&W's customer service number: 800-331-0852 then 7 They can generally get you a date of manuf. during business hours or you can request a letter from S&W for $35.00 I don't know of an on-line resource. If you had provided the gun's serial number, I would expect you would have an answer already. Many have the book and would have looked it up for you. Here's another resource: Smith & Wesson Forum S&W Revolvers 1857 to 1945 - Forum Powered by eve community

06-30-2008, 09:56 AM	#6
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	pajaro, the great majority of Smiths made before 1957 did not have model numbers. It is still relatively easy to determine model and vintage (at least approximately) from serial number and other identifying characteristics such as caliber. A picture is a great help, as minor features changed over the years (pinned vs. forged front sights, left had thread vs. right hand thread on ejector rods, etc.). It can be a fun little detective puzzle. vonfatman is spot on. Supica's book is my primary reference. It still can be a little tough to nail down a specific year without a factory letter, because Smith did not always produce guns in serial number order. __________________ Certified rifle and pistol instructor

07-29-2008, 12:03 PM	#8
brucegodlesky Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Armstrong County Pa Posts: 25	bttt

08-23-2009, 12:55 AM	#9
ffspanky33 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6	I wonder If you could help me out as well sir, I have a 38 S&W Spl. snub nose, Im sure it is a genuine S&W, it's a model 10-5 swing out that was made in springfield,mass per the markings, she's completely blue except for the wooden grips inlayed with the S&W trademark. The serial number is C96870X.Any Info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

08-23-2009, 01:01 AM	#10
ffspanky33 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6	The Model number is located on the frame under the swing out crane, Thank you again in advance. hope you check back to this thread

08-24-2009, 09:53 AM	#12
ffspanky33 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6	Thank you very much buddy

11-04-2009, 11:51 AM	#14
BOBBLAKELY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Can anyone help? I have a s&w model 66-1,6" stainless steel, 357 #60k2282, trying to find the history and value, strong gun and has adjustable sights shoots great.

11-05-2009, 03:53 PM	#16
LefthandShooter Got Jesus? Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northeastern Ohio Posts: 4,350 Blog Entries: 2	Send any S&W pistols to me and I'll research them, and return them when I am confident I can find no more info on them. Might be a good deal of years though.... __________________ May God give us the wisdom & strength to live our lives in a manner that will be pleasing unto Him.

11-14-2009, 03:38 PM	#17
allendjames Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	I have an old S&W revolver of unknown caliber. I'll check the cylinder bore diameter and barrel bore. I need to know what caliber it is and approximate mfg. date. Could anyone help me with this? S/N is 445781 There is no model number marking on it that I can find. Its pretty rusty but I believe salvagable.