Privacy.Why is it suggested that we put Xs at the end of the serial number listings for their weapons? Because it's not necessary for determination of the gun's history or is it a privacy thing?
I recently took posession of a nickel-plated S&W .38 2nd Model, as shown below. Seems to be in fairly good condition, operates properly on all five, etc.
Anyone know what years this model was produced? I read somewhere it started in 1877, but I'm not sure.
Also, according to the S&W site, their revolvers have the serial numbers stamped into the bottom of the frame between the grips. Most serials seem to be alphanumeric and rather lengthy, but this one only has three numbers. Is that the way they did it back then and this particular one was just early in the production run?
S&W originally used just numbers up to WWII and began using single letters both as prefixes and floating before ending up with the three letter followed by numbers in 1980. In the earlier years they also used the same serial numbers on different models of guns.
The 38 Single Action 2nd models started in 1877 at serial number 1 and ran to 1891 at serial number 109255. Your 3 digit serial number would likely be 1st or 2nd year production.
Jim