Tell me about J-Frame serial numbers

SPEEDGUNNER · #1 09-07-2011, 01:38 PM

Looking in the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog at the serial tables for the little J-Frames and I am confused. They discuss a J-prefix, but what about when the J is located in the body of the serial number?

i.e: 29JXX
3J88XX

If the 6-digit numbers are early (1950-1969) why is there a gap between 1962 and 1969 for the breakdown?

i.e. 6491XX

How do you determine exact year of manufacture?

GF · #2 09-07-2011, 05:05 PM

I don't know the answer...I started a thread about a year ago to ask the same question, got 2 replies.

It's called the "Floating J" serial number.

GF

enfield · #3 09-07-2011, 05:24 PM

According to the SCSW, the Models 36, 37, 38, 49 and 50 started the XJXXXX sequence in 1982. 1J18601 was the first produced in 1983. That's all the information that is available.

Q - "How do you determine exact year of manufacture?"
A - Get a factory letter.

linde · #4 09-07-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPEEDGUNNER

Looking in the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog at the serial tables for the little J-Frames and I am confused. They discuss a J-prefix, but what about when the J is located in the body of the serial number? How do you determine exact year of manufacture?

The "floating J" serial numbers are confusing. A typo in the SCSW 3rd makes it even more confusing. Here's my best explanation of what I believe is correct.

1971-1972 from serial numbers 1J1 to 999J99
(note there are up to 5 numerical digits plus the floating letter J)
(also note I've added a leading 1 to J1 that was omitted in SCSW-3rd)

1973-1981 from serial numbers J100000 to J915400
(note the factory went back putting the J first but expanded s/n to J plus 6 numerical digits)

In 1983 - resumed the "floating J" starting with 1J10000 but this time with six numerical digits plus the letter J.

In 1984 - change to 3-alpha/4-numeric format . . . so I guess the floating J sank

As others have said, only a factory letter will determine the exact ship date.

Hope this helps,

Russ

edit to add: the serial numbers reported in the pre-J prefix era (prior to 1969) are just examples of serial numbers with known ship dates. There was no attempt made to provide an inclusive range because such data was not known or compiled at the time of publication. Many collectors have kept track of the known ship dates since the SCSW was published and can interpolate ship dates a little closer than the examples in the book.

jwm17 · #5 03-06-2016, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linde

The "floating J" serial numbers are confusing. A typo in the SCSW 3rd makes it even more confusing. Here's my best explanation of what I believe is correct.

1971-1972 from serial numbers 1J1 to 999J99
(note there are up to 5 numerical digits plus the floating letter J)
(also note I've added a leading 1 to J1 that was omitted in SCSW-3rd)

1973-1981 from serial numbers J100000 to J915400
(note the factory went back putting the J first but expanded s/n to J plus 6 numerical digits)

In 1983 - resumed the "floating J" starting with 1J10000 but this time with six numerical digits plus the letter J.

In 1984 - change to 3-alpha/4-numeric format . . . so I guess the floating J sank

As others have said, only a factory letter will determine the exact ship date.

Hope this helps,

Russ

edit to add: the serial numbers reported in the pre-J prefix era (prior to 1969) are just examples of serial numbers with known ship dates. There was no attempt made to provide an inclusive range because such data was not known or compiled at the time of publication. Many collectors have kept track of the known ship dates since the SCSW was published and can interpolate ship dates a little closer than the examples in the book.

If you are correct. Would it be safe to say My model 38 Serial number J941XXX was made in 1982 ?

linde · #6 03-06-2016, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwm17

. . . Would it be safe to say My model 38 Serial number J941XXX was made in 1982 ?

Yes . . . 1982 serial numbers are listed as J915401 to 1J18600

Russ

bjbard · #7 03-26-2016, 07:58 PM

Great info, thanks. If I understand this correctly, my Model 38 (no dash) numbered 36J591 was made 1971 - 1972, correct?

Thanks!

linde · #8 03-26-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjbard

. . . If I understand this correctly, my Model 38 (no dash) numbered 36J591 was made 1971 - 1972, correct?

Correct . . . and likely 1971

Russ

steveotm · #9 11-18-2016, 11:49 PM

Think I have this now....J175865 1973???

linde · #10 11-19-2016, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveotm

Think I have this now....J175865 1973???

It would likely be late 1973 or early 1974 . . . but only a factory letter could provide an exact ship date.

Russ

steveotm · #11 11-19-2016, 12:39 AM

Thank you!!!

jhnttrpp · #12 11-19-2016, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linde

The "floating J" serial numbers are confusing. A typo in the SCSW 3rd makes it even more confusing. Here's my best explanation of what I believe is correct.

1971-1972 from serial numbers 1J1 to 999J99
(note there are up to 5 numerical digits plus the floating letter J)
(also note I've added a leading 1 to J1 that was omitted in SCSW-3rd)

1973-1981 from serial numbers J100000 to J915400
(note the factory went back putting the J first but expanded s/n to J plus 6 numerical digits)

In 1983 - resumed the "floating J" starting with 1J10000 but this time with six numerical digits plus the letter J.

In 1984 - change to 3-alpha/4-numeric format . . . so I guess the floating J sank

As others have said, only a factory letter will determine the exact ship date.

Hope this helps,

Russ

edit to add: the serial numbers reported in the pre-J prefix era (prior to 1969) are just examples of serial numbers with known ship dates. There was no attempt made to provide an inclusive range because such data was not known or compiled at the time of publication. Many collectors have kept track of the known ship dates since the SCSW was published and can interpolate ship dates a little closer than the examples in the book.

Now I am confused. My Model 60 begins with a J and only has 5 digits in the serial number not 6. J8579x . I was told it was shipped in 1973. So 5 digits plus the J or 6