Was looking at some gun auctions and noticed a few S&W guns with a ser no. on bottom of grip frame that was differant from the one stamped on frame under the yolk.
How can there be two differant ser. no. on the same frame?


Willy

The stamp inside is not a serial number. It's an "assembly" number - used to match components during the assembly line process that are to stay together before they are completed (e.g., yoke/cylinder fit to a frame).

On older S&Ws, you will find the true S/N under the barrel, on the frame butt, under the extractor star, and on the cylinder face. These should all match.

I believe this was done until 1957, when the model number was stamped inside, as well as the S/N. I believe that is when the assembly numbers stopped "matching." Someone else may no more about when this stamping practice changed than I do.

quote:

I believe that is when the assembly numbers stopped "matching."

I don't understand what you mean. Assembly numbers that don't match would be rather confusing!
When the space in the yoke cut became occupied by the serial number and model numbers, the assembly number was merely MOVED to the grip frame- usually on the bottom left side.
Sideplates also have the assembly number inside.
The yokes and sideplates are fitted BEFORE serial numbers are applied, which is what makes them necessary.

Thanks guys!


Willy