Where did you find that number on the gun? S&W serial numbers often have alphabetical prefixes, but never suffixes. If the number came from inside the yoke (the front part of the frame visible with the cylinder swung out), it may be an assembly number, which was applied to help keep the parts of the gun together on the assembly line. The serial number will be on the butt or (rarely) on the front of the grip frame below the trigger guard.
S&W serial numbering is a complex topic since the company built .38Spl revolvers on several different frame sizes with overlapping serial number ranges.
To get a positive serial number ID, please post:
The number on the butt including alphabetical prefixes.
The model number inside the yoke, if there is one; you should see an "M" followed by 2 or 3 numbers, and possibly a dash followed by another number. The model number is the first one after the "M".
If there is no model number:
1) Does the gun hold 5 rounds or 6?
2) Is the rear sight adjustable or fixed? (The fixed rear sight is a simple notch machined into the topstrap.)
3) If the gun holds 5 rounds, is the hammer fully exposed, partially hidden by a rounded shroud, or totally concealed?
4) Is the frame steel (magnetic) or aluminum alloy (non-magnetic)?
