I'm trying to get an idea of when my new acquisition was manufactured. I know that it was sometime between 1886-1940. The serial number doesn't have a letter...126646. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Welcome to the Forum. There's sticky in every subforum describing the information you can provide that will be helpful in answering your question. We need more data and better pictures of both sides of the revolver. Also all the markings on the top and sides of the barrel and sides of the gun itself.

There are subtle differences between the .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model and the 5th Model. If the front sight is pinned in place (can't tell from your picture), it is likely a 4th Model with a serial number range 116003 to roughly 220000, circa 1898 to 1907. Some 5th Models had pinned sights although most with 4" barrels had the front sight forged with the barrel.

My best guess based the on the serial number and information in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Edition is that you have a 4th Model.

Again, more info on markings will assist with accurate identification by people here who know much more than I do about these revolvers.

Ok. I'll take more pictures when I get home from work and send them. As for the front sight, I can say it's pinned in place. Thank you for your time and help. I'll be posting more pictures soon.

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Just wanted to let you know that I had the revolver dated by S & W to be made between 1894 - 1895. Thank you again for your time and help.

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Curious. Did S&W date it based on the serial number? Standard Catalog says 1890 to 1898 would be a .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model, but the serial number range for that model is 42484 - 116002.

Your serial number 126646 would fall in the 1898-1907 range as I mentioned in my original post.

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, the current folks at S&W customer service don't always give out the right info.

If you want the real information you need to contact Roy Jinks.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

And this is how you can do it: a letter of authenticity...

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come

Hope this is helpful.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for posting your revolver and please take more pictures and come back with more information as us newer guys are always reading looking and learning also thanks murphydog for putting out information to contact Roy Jinks we hear his name so much but generaly contact info isn't added that was a nice touch .