Hello, I'm a brand new member and I just purchased a .38 snub nose today and need help with the model and the age. The s/n is 6D16XXX. and where the model is it is stamped 49711. Any help with the model and date would be a great help. I was told it belonged to a retired federal officer.
That serial means it is a K-frame model from 1980, and it should tell you what model it is right where you apparently got the second number. It should say MOD followed by a number.
Welcome to the FORUM, Mr. Bones! May I call you Ham? Pictures are the best form of identification, along the the proper #'s. You did not specify if the gun was blued, stainless, or nickel. Fixed sights, or adjustable sights? 5 shot, or 6 shot? There are plenty of Smith educated people here you can learn from! Bob