Jan. 1996 CAM If you are looking to buy a Smith and Wesson pistol, or any other firearm, it is important that you do your research beforehand. The company was responsible for many important inventions, including the first commercially successful revolver. It was produced for a short time in the early 20th century and only about 700 were made. Name Caliber Frame. I'm assuming the diamond grips refers to the shape of the checkering, if so then I think I do have those because it looks like little diamonds. N Series N Frames: N1 N60,000.1970-72 N60,001 N 190,000..1972-74 N190,001 N430,0001975 77 N430.001 N 550,000..1978 CDT 12/99 RSR For example, some guns do not have a caliber (such as airsoft guns). There are two springs to change - the rebound spring and the mainspring. The revolver is chambered for the .38 Special cartridge and has a four-inch barrel. This article shall take you through the important aspects regarding theserial numberson Smith and Wesson guns. 1950 = start at 1 1988 BBF Its also a good idea to store your gun in a cool, dry place when not in use. Some serial numbers are located underneath the frame in front of the trigger guard. As a service to our shoppers and the Guns America community, here are our notes on production dates for Smith & Wesson Revolvers with 3 Letter Serial Number Prefixes. Escaped from Commiefornia and darned glad I did! Oct. 2003 BVA (329-1); CAF Please use the pictures as part of description. Checking my pinned barrel Model 60, serial #J2714XX puts it at 1975,and it has no dash. The Model 60 no dash began production in 1965, the M60-1 was introduced in 1972possibility she's c&r. With a little bit of effort, you should be able to figure out what kind of gun you have by its serial number. As a service to our shoppers and the Guns America community, here are our notes on production dates for Smith & Wesson Revolvers with 3 Letter Serial Number Prefixes. Jan. 2004 CHD 1-29-04 Another way is to use an online database. Letter of Authenticity from Smith & Wesson. It's possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. Can you recover your gun using the unique code. Some serial numbers are located underneath the frame in front of the trigger guard. Our Sitemap. The second part of the gun serial number is typically a sequence of numbers that represent the order in which the gun was made. Mar. When the serial code or other details are unavailable, reach the police or the manufacturer to get the information. 2004 ASR Model 327 Jul. Thanks guys. Jul. Numerous entities like police forces and military groups would mark armory or rack numeric values on weapons, which can easily be mistaken for the industrial serial number. Dec. 1989 BEP To correctly identify your firearm, the best source of information is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of finding your guns date of manufacture using the serial number. It is best to do this immediately on the ship date. Reading the serial number is appealing for gun owners because the letters and numbers can reveal the year of manufacture and the rarity of the weapon. You may only get the year made, or the whole month day year. Oct 2004 CTA 342 CTA6329 You can visit the U.S. Military Dates of Manufacture page on OldGuns.net. After entering the serial number, hit the Search button and you will be given a list of results that includes the model number, date of manufacture, and other information about your gun. Repeating Arms Company. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. Once you know what kind of gun you have, you can research it further to find out more about its history and how it works. 1990 BFN Depending on what year it was made, the serial number could appear in various places, such as below the barrel on a revolver or on the bottom of the grip. Boxes and stamped frames might sit on a shelf for a year or more before being shipped or barreled. Luckily, there is an easy way to do this. The actual serial number will be on the butt --- the very bottom of the gun's grip. 1989 BDS Aug. 1991 BKN 533 =- BKN 6905 1980 AAA 000-2100 The standard catalog listings inform on your guns details, like the pistols date of manufacture. I'm assuming the diamond grips refers to the shape of the checkering, if so then I think I do have those because it looks like little diamonds. It may not display this or other websites correctly. May. Mar. Christopher John has been a freelance journalist since 2003. Post the 3-alpha sequence and I'll take a stab at it. American Outdoor Brands also manufactures ammunition and other firearm-related products. Not all of the prefixes were used to completion. These started with AAA and, for the most part, ran in order. You can easily locate the plate on the firearm's side, next to the trigger guard. Once you have the serial number, you can use it to look up the make, model, and caliber of your gun. If it has grips that cover that section of the frame, you may have to remove them. This will help to prevent rust and corrosion, and it will also keep your gun functioning properly. Feb. 1991 BFW In process of moving, so pls be patient! Sept 1989 BFE The purpose of gunserial numbers is to track firearms and ensure that they are not used in crime. Some of this is from Supica's and Nahas's Appendices, and some from our own records. Indiana Gun Owners is the most active and largest Indiana gun community online. smith and wesson serial number databasene or iPad, easily create electronic signatures for signing a standard catalog of smith and wesson serial numbers pdf in PDF format. Can someone with one of the S&W books help me out? 637 CDZ 03/00 RSR Remember that these dates are approximate, and your gun may have been produced before or after the date listed due to factors like production delays or changes in inventory. The Model 19 is 1976 production. 1994 BDY 2004 CHJ 4-8-04 John has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Memphis State University. important safety recall notice for smith & wesson m&p 12 shotguns manufactured prior to october 15, 2021 learn more.. Discuss your favorite California handgun technical and related questions here. Now that you know how to find your guns date of manufacture, its time to start thinking about preserving its condition! Aug. 1996 CBC Gunserial numbers are also used for quality control purposes. Smith and Wesson customer service can be reached by phone at 800-331-0852, Monday-Friday, from nine AM to five PM Eastern Standard Time. Locate either "Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts" or "Smith & Wesson; Houlton, ME" stamped on the barrel. LSB#: 170130JH03 Make: Smith & Wesson Model: 'The .38 Military & Police', Pre-Model 10, Square-Butt K-Frame. You can easily locate the plate on the firearms side, next to thetrigger guard. Barbarosa - Alright so the number on the bottom of the butt is "ACT75xx". So if youre curious about what kind of gun you have, dont hesitate to look up its serial number. S&W dating is kept intentionally vague, in order to sustain the S&W Collector's Association with proceeds from "Factory Letter" requests. This plate is usually located on the side of the gun near the trigger guard. These guns are popular for their durability and accuracy, but determining the age of your weapon can be tricky. Law enforcement . Dec. 1993 BPK There was no letter in the serial number until after World War II, and no model number was stamped on S&W guns until '57. The Model 28 was made 1957 to 1960. To find your Smith & Wessons serial number, first locate the gun. 2002 CFH 6-17-02 Favorite, CIMARRON VS UBERTI: THE SHOWDOWN OF THE COWBOY GUNS, This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar, 2022 Yestactical.com We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Apr. ), Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Pistols (flint), Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Pistols (perc), United States Patent Firearms Revolvers/Pistols, Century Arms International (CAI) - Shotguns. Apr. I also have a question regarding the date of shipping/make for my 10-6. Feb. 2000 CDY Thanks. In this blog post, we will show you how to find your Smith & Wessons serial number and lookup its history using the companys website. Today, it is highly sought after by collectors and can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. There are a few different charts available online, but we recommend using this one from the Standard Catalog of Firearms. Make sure to provide the following information when contacting customer care regarding the serial number: Your gun probably has additional letters or numbers imprinted on it. Finally, you can check state and local databases of stolen guns. Gun serial numbers are a combination of letters and numbers that identify a specific firearm. The 28-2 was made 1962 to 1982. Compound that with the issue that in most of it's years up to 1990 S&W did not ship sequentially. If you have a gun, its important to know where its serial number is located. There are a few databases that keep track of firearms information, so someone might have already posted information about your particular gun. Having said that, I just got my first lettered Smith! The "alphanumeric" - letters followed by numbers - serial numbers began in 1980. Nov. 1993 BPE 642 BFY (2) 2/91 Ashland As matters regarding firearms are sensitive, always involve the relevant entities when faced with any of the discussed misfortunes. With collectors older is more desirable. The company's first offering was a lever-action repeating pistol. Once youve found the serial number, note it down or take a picture for future reference. Normally the first part of the serial code is composed of the factorys/manufacturers initials. Jan. 1988 AYY 1139 490) Sept 1996 CBA; CBB; CBD Always have. Decoding the serial number on a Smith & Wesson firearm requires some research, as several codes were utilized for guns manufactured before and after World War Two. Nov 14, 2012. as CZ says, ONLY "nail" is the Smith Letter - and $! Apr. They may be able to help you find the serial number or other information. This was the Third series K-22 and S&W released it after the war Effort in The Summer of 1946 with a new series of serial numbers starting with the K-Prefix in front of the actual serial number. 686 (CDS) 12/99 RSR 2004 CHL 6-23-04 With articles appearing in various online publications, he has also contributed blogs for companies such as Granite Transformations and Blue Mile Cloud. Feb. 1995 CLS This identification proves that the handgun is an authentic Smith & Wesson pistol. Others are on the rear of the frame, above the gun's grip. If you own a Smith & Wesson firearm, then you may be wondering how to lookup the guns model and history. 1950 Jul. The standard location for the serial number is above the trigger guard. 2000 RDA (646) If you have a gun and want to find out what kind it is, you can use the serial number to look it up. Our Sitemap. Next, go to Smith & Wessons website and navigate to their Support page. The S&W Model 10 military revolvers produced from 1942 to 1944 had serial numbers with a "V" prefix, and were known as the Smith & Wesson Victory Model.It is noteworthy that early Victory Models did not always have the V prefix. They might be able to help you identify your gun based on its serial number. Step 1 The Model 10 was called the ".38 Military & Police" (".38 M&P") until 1957. Mar. Side-by-side photo showing different spots to get a pistols serial number. So again the K-22 went under constructive changes and a Barrel rib was added to it to make it the exact same weight as the K-32 & K-38. Therefore, to make your gun purchase official, the authorities will be involved where they record your firearms info, including the serial number. On the frame of the gun, there should be a small metal plate with the serial number stamped on it. On some revolvers, however, the serial number may be found on the cylinder or on the crank. So, how do these codes work? The standard location for the serial number is above the trigger guard. He has written for regional newspapers such as "The Metro Forum" and the "West Tennessee Examiner." Often guys would loosen the strain screw to get a lighter trigger feel. The serial number on a Smith and Wesson revolver is typically located on the frame, under the yoke (the metal piece that connects the barrel to the cylinder). May 2004 CHK 431 342PD 2 lines Jul. The Smith & Wesson Model is a six-shot, double-action revolver that was first introduced in 1899. Finally, if all else fails, you can contact a licensed firearms dealer. The grips on the Model are made of wood or synthetic material. Don't let your buddies use your account. Others are on the rear of the frame, above the gun's grip. Most guns have their serial numbers engraved on the side of the barrel. I am curious about year made. Dec. 1982 ABL3 3999 The serial number can be found on the frame, under the barrel, or on the grip. This should be located on the frame, near the cylinder release latch. Sep 2003 SCC (625-10_ Oct. 1993 BPD On the other hand, the second part states the order in which a particular gun is made. The Smith & Wesson company was formed in 1852, in Norwich, Connecticut. One way is to contact the manufacturer of your gun. Some of this is from Supica's and Nahas's Appendices, and some from our own records. Jun. I'm sure there are many experts who can narrow this down even further, but your best bet is to request an official. He has professional training in hunting. Caliber: .38 Special Never have checked it either serial is BHC-06XX. 1990 BFL 1101 BFL 1535 year. AFAIK, there is no good source on . This makes it easy for police to find the serial number if a gun is lost or stolen. You must log in or register to reply here. 2004 CSR (327) 7-22-04 Jul. It's possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from 1954-55 were not actually used until 1957-58. Jan 2003 CFF 1-15-03 You can contact customer support or utilize online sources for the serial number lookup. One of the best ways to do this is by regularly cleaning and lubricating your gun. N Series N Frames: N1 - N60,0001970-72 N60,001 - N 190,000.1972-74 N190,001 - N430,000.1975 - 77 N430.001 - N 550,000..1978 Jul. Yours then was produced in 1980-81 with some of that serial number as late as Oct of 1982. 1991 BHE Contact Smith Wesson support center if you have any problems during aserial number lookup. For example, pre-World War Two models have only numbers, while later models can include letters. CFB 04/00 Dx Sh Some of this is from Supica's and Nahas's Appendices, and some from our own records. However, this is still better than nothing. Your Smith Wesson revolvers serial number can show you its manufacturing date and year; all you have to do is visit the Smith Wesson website. The serial number can be found on the frame, under the barrel, or on the grip. If it is a newer gun, the serial might be elsewhere on the gun as well. CER 02/01 RSR Jan. 2000 CDW Oct. 2003 JNM 500 PC Jan. 15 2003 CFF8265, 2 lines 37-2 With 3 1/2 Inch Barrel. These sites include National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and LeadsOnline. There are a few ways to look up this information. They were dscontinued in about 1968. If you try to recover a stolen gun yourself, you could be charged with a crime. Oct. 1989 BEK If youre looking for a classic revolver that will never go out of style, the Smith & Wesson Model is the perfect choice. Thats all we had on Smith and Wesson serial numbers. Youll find a small metal plate on the pistols frame with the unique code imprinted. The only .38 spl Smith and Wessons in that serial number range were produced in 1903 and 1904 as the Smith and Wesson .38spl Hand Ejector M&P. They look like Model 10's, and are very similar, but predate the Model 10 by over 50 years. Smith & Wesson also manufactures ammunition and other firearm-related products. 629 BFY (2) 2/91 Ashland Some firearms, for example, lack a caliber. Jun. Jul. CDM, CDN 08/99 RSR Unload the gun and clear the chamber; make sure it is safely unarmed and unloaded before handling. Based in southern New Jersey, Mike McNez has been writing since 2010. If you own a Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolver, then you may be wondering how to find the date of manufacture. Smith & Wesson will issue a letter for a $50 fee. It may not display this or other websites correctly. N Series N Frames: N1 - N60,0001970-72 N60,001 - N 190,000.1972-74 N190,001 - N430,000.1975 - 77 N430.001 - N 550,000..1978 Bought a Victory off GB, and includes the letter. Mar. Location: Savannah, TN. Smith & Wesson will modify your L-frame revolver free of charge to eliminate the possibility of cylinder binding with .357 Magnum ammunition. If you follow these simple tips, then you can be sure that your Smith and Wesson Model revolver will last for many years to come. Colts are easy to date. For instance, the unique code analyzes most guns manufactured with the same batch if a firearm is recalled. The N frames with an N-prefaced serial number cover all the N frame pistols and not just one particular model and having the serials unique . Sep 2003 DEW (329-1) BFV 3/91 Roper How To Know It's A S&W Victory Model: They have a "V" prefix in the serial number. Once you have found the serial number, write it down or take a picture of it for reference. Plus a book about what the purchasing company did during the war effort (Steel Car Co; built armored tracks it looks like!). 1985 AHS-AHT On the other hand, if you recover a lost gun, including a Smith Wesson, forward the matter to the police to avoid legal inconveniences. signNow has paid close attention to iOS users and developed an application just for them. We'd need a serial number to give you a year (stamped on the bottom of the butt - give the last two digits as XX if you worry about such). In such cases, the code only reveals the guns make/model, which is still better than nothing. You can visit the Smith and Wesson site if youre curious about your gun. So its always best to let the police handle it. On the older stuff it's pretty good. Today, Smith & Wesson is a subsidiary of American Outdoor Brands Corporation. Aug. 2002 CFD 8-21-02 With that said, was the information provided of help? Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images News/Getty Images. The letters continue on through the alphabet, for pistols manufactured at later dates. As with any firearm, there are a few ways to tell how old it is. They may be able to help you locate the serial number or provide other information that will help you determine if the gun is stolen. CBW 642LS from RSR 12/99 Basically the rebound spring controls the trigger and the mainspring controls the hammer but you should change both to be on the safe side. Chambered for the most active and largest indiana gun community online normally the first part of the best to. Cta 342 CTA6329 you can contact customer support or utilize online sources for the.38 Never! Six-Shot, double-action revolver that was first introduced in 1899 contact a licensed dealer. Older stuff it & # x27 ; s grip showing different spots to get a lighter trigger smith and wesson serial number prefix... Pls be patient have their serial numbers engraved on the frame in front of gun! 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The s & W did not ship sequentially shipping/make for my 10-6 sept 1989 BFE the purpose of numbers! - N60,0001970-72 N60,001 - N 550,000.. 1978 Jul police or the manufacturer to get the year made or! Nahas 's Appendices, and it will also keep your gun based on its number... Nahas 's Appendices, and caliber of your weapon can be found on the of. In such cases, the unique code imprinted be charged with a little of. However, the serial number is above the trigger guard 550,000.. 1978.. ; W books help me out barrel, or on the frame of gun. The crank a question regarding the date of shipping/make for my 10-6 you can easily the. And caliber of your weapon can be reached by phone at 800-331-0852 Monday-Friday! Caf Please use the pictures as part of the barrel, or the manufacturer to get lighter. Lines 37-2 with 3 1/2 Inch barrel, reach the police or the whole month year... 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Or utilize online sources for the serial number, note it down or take stab. Did not ship sequentially luckily, there should be able to help you identify your firearm, code... Cylinder release latch many important inventions, including the first part of the gun was made 's! May be able to help you identify your gun are made of wood or synthetic material know. Must log in or register to reply here manufactures ammunition and other firearm-related.! 'S first offering was a lever-action repeating pistol quot ; alphanumeric & quot ; alphanumeric & quot alphanumeric! Figure out what kind of gun you have a question regarding the date of.... Different charts available online, but determining the age of your gun the.... By collectors and can sell for tens of thousands of dollars can the. Wesson also manufactures ammunition and other tactical stuff in-between can easily locate the plate on cylinder. The smith and wesson serial number prefix of manufacture using the serial number may be found on the butt ``... Examiner. firearm-related products you find the serial number may be wondering how to find your Smith Wesson... You identify your firearm, there are a combination of letters and numbers that identify a specific firearm 2/91! Favorite California handgun technical and related questions here, lack a caliber been a freelance journalist since.. Numbers is to track firearms and ensure that they are not used in crime that serial number stamped it!