Smith and Wesson serial number search
- Thread starter Driveout02
- Start date
Generally, no, but sometimes the order of letters (if any) and numbers may be sufficiently unique to pin it down. If you post the number (use "x"s for the last couple digits if you like) with information on caliber and, best of all, some photos, someone here may be able to help.
Early (presumably) in the 1969 to 1972 period; the SN range was from N1 to N999999.
Youngblood_
Inactive
Dad's old Model 19-5
this was my dad's that he acquired when I was just a little guy. Now it is my possession after mom hid it away when he passed in '91. It is extremely clean, and from the looks of it fired very little. I only remember dad taking it out a couple of times.
Sorry for the blurry pics. The serial is AEF7xxx, does anybody have a manufacture date and or an approximate value?
That being said the thing is priceless to me, and I will NEVER let it go.
Thanks guys.
this was my dad's that he acquired when I was just a little guy. Now it is my possession after mom hid it away when he passed in '91. It is extremely clean, and from the looks of it fired very little. I only remember dad taking it out a couple of times.
Sorry for the blurry pics. The serial is AEF7xxx, does anybody have a manufacture date and or an approximate value?
That being said the thing is priceless to me, and I will NEVER let it go.
Thanks guys.
The AEF prefix would date the gun to 1984. The gun looks to be in outstanding condition and I would say it would fetch about $600. However, I can't ever recall seeing a Model 19 with a 6" barrel and Patridge front sight, though obviously they made them in addition to the much more common 4" and less common 2-1/2", both of which had ramped sights. SCSW doesn't say anything about the 6" barrel bringing a premium due to rarity, but for the right collector it might, I suppose.
ETA: I've still never seen a 19 with the 6" barrel, but there's another thread that's full of them, so I guess they must not be so rare. A bit unusual, I think, but not rare.
TexasJustice7
New member
I have a S&W 625-5 Long Colt 45, from the first 3 digits can someone tell me when it was made? N735XXX
That doesn't look like a typical S&W serial number. If it came from the frame cutout area it may be what are called "assembly numbers." The definitive serial number is almost always on the butt (the bottom of the frame area where the grips are). You may need to remove the grips to see it. Also, the SN alone may not provide enough info to definitively identify the gun, so if you could also provide barrel length, number of chambers in the cylinder and similar information that would good. Best of all would be photos of both sides of the gun.
Bob - There's a lengthy discussion of .44 Russian S&Ws beginning on p. 88 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW), 3rd Edition. I don't see any mention of the term "frontier" anywhere, but I didn't read every word. Based on what I did read, the gun is (1) if a genuine S&W (there were copies made), potentially quite valuable and (2) impossible to identify from just the serial number because the same SN series was used for different models. If you could post photos perhaps someone with more knowledge in this area than I could help. Or you could try posting over on the S&W Forum where more of the real experts hang out.
S&W Model 12.
Recently inherited a S&W Model 12 with the serial number V 740XXX The butt of the revolver is dissimilar to most I've seen as it has what looks like a ring for a strap (maybe military surplus?) screwed into the middle of the butt. The serial number is starts with V on the left of the ring and the rest on the right. The 7 looks slightly different than the rest of the numbers as it is pretty flush against the screw of the ring, whereas the other 5 number are pretty close together. Nothing seems fishy, just odd.
Are there any other markings that may be helpful?
I also have the instructions and parts list for the revolver in excellent condition. The date on the instructions are 1958, so I assume the gun is older than that. How much older I have no clue.
Recently inherited a S&W Model 12 with the serial number V 740XXX The butt of the revolver is dissimilar to most I've seen as it has what looks like a ring for a strap (maybe military surplus?) screwed into the middle of the butt. The serial number is starts with V on the left of the ring and the rest on the right. The 7 looks slightly different than the rest of the numbers as it is pretty flush against the screw of the ring, whereas the other 5 number are pretty close together. Nothing seems fishy, just odd.
Are there any other markings that may be helpful?
I also have the instructions and parts list for the revolver in excellent condition. The date on the instructions are 1958, so I assume the gun is older than that. How much older I have no clue.
That's not a Model 12, which technically didn't exist until 1957 when S&W started numbering instead of simply naming different models. Nor can it be a pre-Model 12, which was known as the .38 Military and Police Airweight - they didn't exist until 1952 and never carried a "V" serial number. The serial number and lanyard ring pretty definitively identify the gun as a so-called "Victory" model .38 Military and Police, part of the series of guns that led to today's Model 10. These guns were made from 1942 to 1945 in the serial number range of V1 to V769000, with the "V" denoting Victory in WWII.
One marking that you may want to look for would be an "S" stamped somewhere on the butt. That would indicate the gun was one of those sent back to S&W to be fitted with a hammer block designed to prevent accidental discharge - this is the same design used in S&W revolvers to this day. Non "S" guns also have a hammer safety but it's not as positive a design as the newer modification. You may also find "U.S. Property" stamped on the topstrap, along with "GHD," the initials of US Army inspector at the time, Guy H. Drewry.
One marking that you may want to look for would be an "S" stamped somewhere on the butt. That would indicate the gun was one of those sent back to S&W to be fitted with a hammer block designed to prevent accidental discharge - this is the same design used in S&W revolvers to this day. Non "S" guns also have a hammer safety but it's not as positive a design as the newer modification. You may also find "U.S. Property" stamped on the topstrap, along with "GHD," the initials of US Army inspector at the time, Guy H. Drewry.
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Thank you!
I will definitely check for those markings. I am excited the gun is of WWII vintage and very happy you pointed out the potential lack of hammer block.
I can't tell you what a great and thorough reply that was. Thank you!
(Also, just to correct a typo from my original post, I had assumed that the instructions dated 1958 meant the gun was NEWER (not older) - the fact it did turn out older is sort of a happy coincidence.)
I will definitely check for those markings. I am excited the gun is of WWII vintage and very happy you pointed out the potential lack of hammer block.
I can't tell you what a great and thorough reply that was. Thank you!
(Also, just to correct a typo from my original post, I had assumed that the instructions dated 1958 meant the gun was NEWER (not older) - the fact it did turn out older is sort of a happy coincidence.)
Police trade in
Hey guys. new to TFL! I recently purchased a police trade in model 10 from buds. Its a 10-10 and i was wondering if anybody would be so kind as to date it for me?? The serial # is bht3xxx. Also ive herd of people being able to identify where (which P.D) there police trade in guns came from. Any idea how anyone? Mines got a sticker on it with vpa01xxx on it and there are numbers that looked post factory ingraved on the crane Thanks guys happy shooting
Hey guys. new to TFL! I recently purchased a police trade in model 10 from buds. Its a 10-10 and i was wondering if anybody would be so kind as to date it for me?? The serial # is bht3xxx. Also ive herd of people being able to identify where (which P.D) there police trade in guns came from. Any idea how anyone? Mines got a sticker on it with vpa01xxx on it and there are numbers that looked post factory ingraved on the crane Thanks guys happy shooting
samdiddles
Inactive
serial number
S&w revolver. 323xxx. It belonged to my late grandfather trying to get a date and a possible if its registered.
S&w revolver. 323xxx. It belonged to my late grandfather trying to get a date and a possible if its registered.
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