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
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? .......
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
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?.......
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.
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
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 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
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
Austria 38spec. sub nose - serial number which year please
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
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.
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.
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.
My S&W is a "Lady Smith" Model 36 Serial no is BFK21XX and has M 36-7 on the frame. It also has the number 116 engraved on the yoke. That number looks to me to be composed of little dots as opposed to a stamped number. Like it was done by hand.
Any information on decoding these numbers would be appreciated.
Thanks for the info. I got it for my wife in about 1992. After our house was robbed, she started carrying my heavy 357 around but wanted something lighter. The Lady Smith was really nice. We think the robbers were still in the house when she came home and she was unarmed. They stole most of my guns, so I know they were heavily armed by the time they left!
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