Smith and Wesson serial number search

Hi all,
I know it's a long shot (if you will excuse the pun).
I'm trying to find out the model name of my old 686 that I had in the UK before that B*****D Tony Blair had his handgun cull and had them all destroyed.

It was a Performance Center 6" 686 in SS. The only info I still have is its Serial No. which was BHN96##.
I bought it second hand from a friend of mine who spared no expense on his firearms.

The name "Carry Comp" rings a distant bell, but I can't be sure.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Cheers
G
 
The serial # is S 876490
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38 Military & Police (postwar).
Serial numbers ran from S811120 in 1945 to S999999 in 1948.
Yours looks to be about a $300 gun tops.

It was a Performance Center 6" 686 in SS. The only info I still have is its Serial No. which was BHN96##.
Click to expand...
Serial dates to 1991/92.
S&W offered at least eight different six inch barreled 6 shot 686's thru the Performance Center. One of them was a "carry comp" as well as the "competitor", "target", "hunter", etc.

Jim
 
Information on a Smith and Wesson?

My ex moved out and left his gun hidden on a shelf in the closet. I have no clue about guns, so maybe I can get some help here telling me how old it is and what it may be worth. On the barrel it is stamped "AIRWEIGHT 38 SPECIAL CTG" It's got a short barrel - 2 inches or less. The model number inside is 3150 and the serial number stamped on the butt (and inside the chamber) is C237XXX. It looks like it's in pretty good condition, but then again... What do I know? Thank you!!
 
C237XXX
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It's a .38 Military & Police Airweight. The serial number dates it to 1953.
These became known as the model 12 when S&W began assigning model numbers ~1957.
The Airweights (aluminum frame) also had aluminum cylinders (thing that holds the 6 rounds of ammo) until 1954 so there is a good chance yours has the aluminum cylinder. If that's the case then it should not be fired. The aluminum cylinders could crack from firing so they were replaced with steel cylinders. You can check the cylinder by placing a magnet on it. If it's steel the magnet will stick. If aluminum it will not.
Value depends on condition but ranges from around $300 in good (about 75% of original finish left) to $700 in excellent (no finish wear). If the cylinder is aluminum then it is worth an additional premium. These values are based on retail. If you sell it to a gun / pawn shop you'll get about half those values.

The 3150 number is just an assembly number.

Jim
 
I have a S&W that I bought at an estate sale a couple of years ago. It is nickel plate, on the side of the barrel it has "38 S&W Special Ctg," No model#, No S&W logo on the frame under the cylinder release, 4 screw sideplate and the serial # is on the butt of the frame. There is some rust and pitting but the first 3 #'s are 315. The strange thing is the 3 is smaller than the other #'s, but other than that does not look out of place (doesn't appear to be any overstrikes or any attempts to change the #'s).

Any info would be appreciated as the cylinder appears to be out of time and I would like to see about fixing it.

Thanks

Gert
 
Serial dates to 1991/92.
S&W offered at least eight different six inch barreled 6 shot 686's thru the Performance Center. One of them was a "carry comp" as well as the "competitor", "target", "hunter", etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Jim, I really appreciate you taking the time.

Just as a matter of interest how do you tell different Performance Center models from each other when you buy them used?

Cheers and many thanks
G
 
Smith 642 serial number query

Hi all. First time to the forum. Hoping you can help. Recently bought a smith 642-1, serial # CRE4XXX. Hoping you might be able to tell me about manufacturing date or anything else about it.
thx
Michael
 
No S&W logo on the frame under the cylinder release, 4 screw sideplate and the serial # is on the butt of the frame. There is some rust and pitting but the first 3 #'s are 315
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So you're saying there is no S&W logo or there is one?
I need to know how many digits follow the 315. Include any letter prefixes if there are any, such as S or C. Look on the rear underside of the barrel and the back face of the cylinder to see if there are matching serial numbers. And, I assume it's a 6 shot, not 5?

smith 642-1, serial # CRE4XXX
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CRE is post 2004. The SCSW only covers up to 2004 so you can call S&W customer service and they will give you the DOB over the phone for free.

Jim
 
Thanks laytonj1 for your response. There is no logo on either side of the frame. It is 6 shot, the serial number is 6 digits, 315xxx and no prefix or suffix The serial numbers on the underside of the barrel and the back of the cylinder do match (didn't even see them before).

Thanks again.

Gert
 
C237XXX

Thank you Jim. I appreciate the information. A friend of mine will clean it for me and I'll decide what to do with it. Thanks for the quick response!
 
Indentification Help

Hello. I have two old S&W pistols. I am trying to find out any information I can about them. Any help is appreciated. They seem to be in working order but look very worn and I would not fire them. They are conversation pieces only but I would like to know more about them.

The first one has a regular trigger guard, 3 inch barrel and looks like .38 caliber. Serial #199265 on the bottom of the grip. On top of the barrel is "Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass" then a number of pat. dates with the last one being Jan 3 82.

The second gun has a small vertical stub under the barrel with a trigger incorporated, no trigger guard at all. 3 inch barrel, looks like .38 as well. Serial #1034684. Same Smith and Wesson on top of the barrel as the other one but ends with a pat. date of May 11 18XX. Due to corrosion the May is hard to read and could be Mar, and the XX numbers are impossible, although the first X could be a 4.

Both guns have a spring loaded release mechanism on top over the hammer to open the barrel. Both guns have matching serial numbers stamped underneath the latch. No other markings on either gun.

Again, any information would be apreciated even if it's a guess.

Thanks, Brien
 
There is no logo on either side of the frame. It is 6 shot, the serial number is 6 digits, 315xxx and no prefix or suffix The serial numbers on the underside of the barrel and the back of the cylinder do match
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Assuming it is a S&W revolver (which would have a S&W logo on the side of the frame) then it would be a 38 Military & Police made around 1920.
There should be patent dates on top of the barrel and Smith & Wesson roll marked on the side of the barrel.

The first one has a regular trigger guard, 3 inch barrel and looks like .38 caliber. Serial #199265 on the bottom of the grip. On top of the barrel is "Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass" then a number of pat. dates with the last one being Jan 3 82.
Click to expand...
Is it a single action (must pull the hammer back to cock it) or double action (can also squeeze the trigger back to cock it)?
If double action, does it have an exposed hammer or concealed hammer?

The second gun has a small vertical stub under the barrel with a trigger incorporated, no trigger guard at all. 3 inch barrel, looks like .38 as well. Serial #1034684.
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Two problems, S&W never used a 7 number serial number and did not offer the gun you described in 38 caliber.

Pictures would really help...

Jim
 
Reply

Thanks Jim,

This is what I have found out so far;

#199265 is a .38 double action 3rd edition manufactured in 1890 or 91.

#103468 is a .38 single action 2nd edition (spur trigger) manufactured in 1888 or 89.

Yes, the 4 on the end was just a scratch that looked like a number.

I think the photos are attached.

Anything you can add to this info woud be great.

Brien
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#199265 is a .38 double action 3rd edition manufactured in 1890 or 91.

#103468 is a .38 single action 2nd edition (spur trigger) manufactured in 1888 or 89.
Click to expand...
Pictures help a lot and confirm what you already found out.

The first is a 38 Double Action 3rd Model.
SN's ran from 119001 in 1884 to 322700 in 1895.

The second is a 38 Single Action 2nd Model.
SN's ran from 1 in 1877 to 108255 in 1891.

Jim
 
Readily available S/N

They are readily available. These guys are just going to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson (SCSW) and finding them for those who are asking. Some of the S/N do get a bit confusing but you will learn to get around in the book. It is a GREAT reference book to have and a good read of history for a handgun owner, go to Amazon and buy it, you won't regret it.
 
s&w 357 magnum

My dad passed away and left me a 357 magnum revolver mod 27-2. My mom thinks it was my grandpa's when he was a sherrif. I was wondering if you can tell me when it was made and what it's worth.
The serial number is n177xxx.
Thanks
 
Gifted .38

My father just gave me a S&W .38 that he said my great uncle carried in WWII. The problem is the box and paperwork are from the 80s. The revolver is stamped with S&W logo and Springfield MA and also a stamp that stats it is property of US Government. Serial number is v 368183. Can anyone tell me the year this was made? I will ask S&W for the detailed history but will save the $50 bucks if it was made in 1982. Thanks.
 
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