Due to the sheer volume, overlapping serial ranges, and complex history of the company spanning back to 1852, finding the age of your S&W requires a combination of understanding how their serialization worked, utilizing reference books, and engaging with collector communities.
For collectors, historians, law enforcement officials, and firearms enthusiasts, few tools are as valuable as a comprehensive . Whether you’ve inherited a vintage .38 Special from a grandfather, found a classic Model 29 at a gun show, or are simply trying to verify the authenticity and age of a prized possession, the serial number is the key to unlocking its entire history. smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
Let’s say you have a revolver with the serial number on the butt. It appears to be a .38 Special, 4-inch barrel, fixed sights. You want to date it. Due to the sheer volume, overlapping serial ranges,
To prevent duplication across different product lines, S&W introduced letters into the serial sequence. Let’s say you have a revolver with the
The Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation offers research services to provide factory letters, which can confirm the shipping date and original configuration of your revolver. 4. General Dating Guidelines (Post-War)
Their success rate is particularly high for the (the pre-war predecessor to the Model 27), for which S&W kept meticulous records. They are also working on digitizing records for 1930 and earlier.
The Definitive Guide to the Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers Database