My first S&W and some questions

[LesterPTelestrat]

Hi all, I just bought a lightly used Smith and Wesson 627-5 today. It came with the case, owners manual and the unopened envelope with the fired/empty casing in it. The envelope has a "Collector/Tech:" name and date. I assume the date is the manufacture date or at least the date it was test fired? If so, this gun was made on aprroximately 3/24/2009. It has an 8 round cylinder but the barrel lug doesn't look lik the newer models with the modern taper. It has the classic look like a model 64. I don't think they make this exact model anymore? Is there a way to plug in a serial number somewhere like on the Smith and Wesson web site to find out the exact mfg date? Any idea of the value of this gun. It looks virtually new.

Thanks for any thoughts/comments ya'll might have.

Lester

[bamabiker]

Some members say they have had success by calling or e-mailing S&W to find out when a gun was made. It might actually be when the gun shipped and I would think it will be pretty close to the date you see on the envelope.