Model1 Third Issue Serial Number

fasted55 · #1 05-01-2015, 12:34 AM

Hi, I bought a fairly well kept Model 1 Third Issue on GunBroker. The model# on the barrel, cylinder, and frame all match. The barrel is nice and tight to the frame. MOP grips in excellent shape. Nicely engraved and all edges are sharp. But the first 4 digits of the serial number are stamped out, the stamp being in the shape of a "1" without the bottom slash. Any idea what this means? Thanks, Ed

fasted55 · #2 05-01-2015, 07:48 AM

Hi again. 38 reads overnight and no clues. I guess I'll spend the $50 and send some pictures into S&W and see what they say. Although without knowing the first 4 digits of the 6 digit SN I'm not sure what they can tell me. Maybe the shape of the stamping and the style of the engraving will provide some clues. Thanks and regards, Ed

mmaher94087 · #3 05-01-2015, 11:51 AM

fasted55, nothing looks obliterated in the serial number. The 1st,3rd model serial numbers went from 1 - 131,163. Yours appears to be 111,129. The '1' stamp does look worn.

opoefc · #4 05-01-2015, 01:14 PM

I agree with Mike. These guns nearly all went to a distributor, mostly J.W.Stoors, in NYC., so a factory letter will not tell you much more. S&W had no in house factory engravers at the time this gun was made so the engraving was done outside the factory, probably in NY City for a distributor. Ed

fasted55 · #5 05-01-2015, 02:18 PM

Thanks guys. Good to know. I'll stand down.

Regards, Ed

glowe · #6 05-02-2015, 07:56 AM

Not enough pictures to go by, but I believe the gun could have been refinished. The surface looks uneven and maybe pitting below the redone plating? If refinished, I bet the first 4 ones did not take the plating to the bottom of the stamping unlike the 89, potentially explaining the difference in appearance of the numbers.