|
|
09-01-2017, 10:25 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,685
Likes: 2,473
Liked 5,898 Times in 1,224 Posts
|
|
Who has the Centennial (pre-40) with the lowest serial number?
I'll start with #2486. Pics appreciated!!
Best,
Charles
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
09-01-2017, 10:37 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Kentucky, USA
Posts: 7,470
Likes: 2,830
Liked 6,261 Times in 2,170 Posts
|
|
I've got #157 in nickel. Its been carried a bit, even by me. Its a nice gun.
__________________
Dick Burg
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
09-01-2017, 10:43 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,685
Likes: 2,473
Liked 5,898 Times in 1,224 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rburg
I've got #157 in nickel. Its been carried a bit, even by me. Its a nice gun.
|
I'm thinking this may have been a very short contest.
Pics please!!
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
09-02-2017, 06:54 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,250
Likes: 11,925
Liked 20,598 Times in 8,583 Posts
|
|
I don't have these two but they're in my database and I don't retain owner's names:
#104 The only Centennial shipped in December '52, the first year they were offered.
#171 was shipped on July 17, 1953
Good thread on this model:
A brief history of the Centennial revolvers
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Last edited by Hondo44; 09-02-2017 at 06:55 AM.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 03:48 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 24
Liked 31 Times in 16 Posts
|
|
I would post photos but dont know how, sorry.
I have several three digits, the lowest of which is #108.
The serials started at #104 (according to S&W letters). I always suspected they started at #100, because that would make sense being the 'Centennial' edition. Maybe they did make #100-103 but they were "consumed" or given as gifts? I'm still trying to find out.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 09:26 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: East Texas
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 18,683
Liked 9,249 Times in 1,491 Posts
|
|
I forget what my serial is, but I do know it is more than 3 digits.
Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk
__________________
Regards,
Bruce
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 11:02 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,224
Likes: 34,840
Liked 10,790 Times in 3,676 Posts
|
|
Quote:
I would post photos but dont know how, sorry.
|
Tom, see these:
Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures
__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 12:30 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 575
Likes: 588
Liked 995 Times in 185 Posts
|
|
I know it's not the lowest #, but I've got SN: 272
It's still in my carry rotation!
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 12:34 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: South-Central PA
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 19,207
Liked 6,511 Times in 2,036 Posts
|
|
This one certainly is not a contender for the low serial number trophy, but it is relatively early (likely shipped mid-1955) SN6726, and has aged better than I.
IMG_2036.jpg
.... and with a touch of ivory elegance.....
IMG_3018.jpg
__________________
NRA Endowment Member
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 04:48 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,527
Likes: 11,154
Liked 12,130 Times in 1,940 Posts
|
|
__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd
Last edited by quinn; 07-11-2023 at 04:51 PM.
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 06:43 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Xtrm Northern KY
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 5,540
Liked 2,912 Times in 656 Posts
|
|
Here is my contribution----s/n 2085 that I bought from a fellow forum member in March of this year (Toad67). Anyway, it definitely filled a hole in my S&W collection!
Last edited by rjm6120; 07-12-2023 at 05:49 AM.
Reason: adding member screen name
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 07:58 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,250
Likes: 11,925
Liked 20,598 Times in 8,583 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldSmithCollector
I would post photos but dont know how, sorry.
I have several three digits, the lowest of which is #108.
The serials started at #104 (according to S&W letters). I always suspected they started at #100, because that would make sense being the 'Centennial' edition. Maybe they did make #100-103 but they were "consumed" or given as gifts? I'm still trying to find out.
|
Welcome to the forum.
The Centennial Model began with serial #1, SCSW 3rd ed., pg. 212.
Just for reference, it was the Model of 1953 New I frame .22/32s, the pre models 34 and 35, that began their new serial # range beginning with #101.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Last edited by Hondo44; 07-11-2023 at 08:01 PM.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-11-2023, 09:32 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,252
Likes: 17,481
Liked 18,451 Times in 5,052 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
The Centennial Model began with serial #1, SCSW 3rd ed., pg. 212.
|
Dr. Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson, 8th printing, August 1983, p. 231, states, "These revolvers were assigned a separate serial number series beginning at serial number 1."
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-12-2023, 05:19 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 24
Liked 31 Times in 16 Posts
|
|
Thanks for giving me work TheWiregrassGuy, I'm far too lazy to go look up how to post pictures on my own, but now I have no excuse...
Here is my #108
Last edited by OldSmithCollector; 07-12-2023 at 05:40 AM.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-12-2023, 05:22 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 24
Liked 31 Times in 16 Posts
|
|
Centennial #105
This one is not mine, but it is # 105
Last edited by OldSmithCollector; 07-12-2023 at 05:39 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-12-2023, 05:34 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 24
Liked 31 Times in 16 Posts
|
|
Centennial Serial Numbers
To my knowledge, #105 is the earliest one seen, at least in the last few decades that I have been able to research, in photos or with some proof. I have not heard back for sure if the Springfield museum might have an earlier one or not. If they have one, I would assume it is #100-104, or one of the airweights.
Here is a copy of the #105 S&W letter stating the serials start at #104, just so you can see the reference for my comments. I also have the books and your correct about what it states as well. Like most researchers, I have found discrepancies in the books, as well as the letters, so I dont assume either is gospel until I see the physical proof. Just take it for what it is. I have learned the Centennial information available seems pretty out of wack with what can be proven "in the wild".
Here is more detailed information from Mr. Jinks from back in 2012:
"There was only one .38 Centennial sold in 1952 and it was serial number 104. The production records indicate the following; November 1952 the factory finished 7 units all airweights, the first steel unit was finished in December 1952. In March 1953 the factory finished 8 units and full production began in April 1953 with a total production of 639 units. I hope that this helps. Roy"
So the Airweights were maybe assembled first but serialized farther down the line and if there were only 7 they might have been given as gifts or testers or just sold later. Centennials were very poor sellers in the beginning. The earliest Airweight I have seen is serial 4,047 but I didnt look very hard for those.
The rumor I always heard was the serials started at 100 because it was the 100 year revolver, and that to me makes sense and does track with what has been able to be proven with actual examples. I have no 'positive' proof of that, just an absence of proof to the contrary and I like the 'symmetry' of the idea.
If anyone has any proof of existing examples earlier than #104, please share.
Last edited by OldSmithCollector; 07-12-2023 at 05:50 AM.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|