I recently bought my first 1st model DA in 44 russian on online, and after taking a second look at the pictures it turns out the serial number on the cylinder (152XX) is different from the serial number from that on the butt (334XX)!

How big of a deal is this? I've heard that on some later SN's they grabbed whatever leftover cylinders and frame parts and put them together, or is that a myth?

How would this affect the long term value?

I bought it cause I was looking for a shootable gun and not a safe queen, and since it's already mismatched, will getting it refinished be a big deal?


The seller does have an 3-day inspection period and I haven't received it yet, so it's not all lost if it turns out to be a deal-breaker

The mis-matched SNs definitely indicate a non-original cylinder. If you intend to use it as a shooting gun and it functions normally it has no effect on its use.

Refinishing a gun is another story - doing that depends on how much you paid and are willing to pay to have that done, how bad the original metalwork and finish are (or if it has already been redone), and if you intend to increase its value by doing so. In my opinion it is generally more trouble than it is worth but your opinion may vary.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I think mismatched numbers on S&W's depends on the gun. I have a Australian New Model #3 were all the serial numbers are mismatched, barrel, cylinder, frame, stock all different. However each serial number matches a gun/stock that was originally shipped to Australia, would seem that parts were mixed up while it was in there. Additionally I know who has the matching barrel & cylinder that goes with my frame, unfortunately the barrel and cylinder have been refinished and would not look right on my frame. I'm OK with the mismatched numbers on this gun, if fact I find it interesting.

B. Mower

This is a great subject actually. It is filled with possibilities however.

The factory put together with leftover parts is proven with other contracts of "very late" end of production guns. However a miss-matched number is not at all likely. Even the Mongrels had matching assembly numbers.

The problem here really is that we don't have enough information. It's just as likely that this gun is a put together with a lot of miss-matched parts. Not just the cylinder. Also, the numbers that you posted? The 15,000 serial number range cylinder still falls into the Frontier (44-40) caliber range. The 34000 frame number range may also be a long frame 44 Russian caliber?. That mix would not be good since the 44 Russian barrel is normally a .430 bore where as the 44/40 WCF is a .427 bullet to bore. So put togethers are often a bad idea.

We need photo's. Good photo's...and we need to know how much you paid for the gun. Simple as that. The miss-matched only piece detracts value from a matching gun in a big way unless like another member mentioned if it was part of a significant /historical contract or Military piece. That is more excepted by collectors. In this case however the Double Action's were not. Great shooter though and one of my personal favorites. So, without more information you are looking at a shooter grade gun which is what you wanted anyway and not a high grade collectable Smith & Wesson.

Still, if you want our help we need more information to determine if the gun is "visibly" safe to shoot before you even consider a quality refinish job?

**** Need more information to evaluate accurately.

Murph

Demand and appeal will almost always be lower if mismatched parts are found on a collector or antique gun for sale. I would immediately return a purchase if mismatched parts were found without the seller disclosing that fact while for sale. Unless it is a very rare model or an original pristine finish, sales price would almost always be lower than the same model with matching numbers. The question is how much lower???

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I won't rehash the collector vs shooter except to say a mismatched cylinder may or may not time correctly also headspace could also be an issue. Refinishing may change dimensions which could cause issues.

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Randy

I agree with glowe. If the seller did not disclose the mismatched parts, I would not buy it. Especially for a shooter, mismatched parts could pose a problem. I would insist that I be allowed to have it checked by a competent gun smith before committing to keeping it. It's not very likely that he didn't notice the mismatched parts...