S&W Serial # Lookup

Bill Boulware · #1 05-01-2016, 05:14 PM

Sorry, I'm new to the forum and this may be a stupid question, but I just purchased a 686 and I am trying to find the date of manufacture. The # is ABS2236 Can any one help? Thanks.

Sailfish 40 · #2 05-01-2016, 05:28 PM

Its from 1983. sometime before october. nice gun!

nodpete · #3 05-01-2016, 05:59 PM

How about a Sticky telling everyone to just call S&W with a serial #. They will tell you the date of mfg. and other information. It's a lot quicker.

H Richard · #4 05-01-2016, 07:11 PM

Calling S&W will get you a build date on more current S&W with a 3 (alpha) letter S/N. Older guns would have to be dated by the S&W Historian from Microfilm records.

Kernel Crittenden · #5 05-02-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodpete

How about a Sticky telling everyone to just call S&W with a serial #. They will tell you the date of mfg. and other information. It's a lot quicker.

Sure. Then this forum could just be closed down. What's the point, a lot of grown men rambling on about S&W revolvers and sharing pictures. Pointless really, when a voice on the phone can give you an answer in 5 minutes.

stlytm · #6 02-18-2018, 04:35 PM

this is before 1980, can someone tell me where I might look up serial #512354 police special 38

Targets Guy · #7 02-18-2018, 04:39 PM

When I bought my Chiefs Special in 2015 I call S&W customer service. They were very nice and told me it was a1972 Chiefs Special. When I asked Mr. Jinks on this forum he told me it was a 1974 Chiefs Special.

steelslaver · #8 02-18-2018, 06:06 PM

and I would trust Roy Jinks far more.

On the 38 special, If its a K frame Military and police, does it have a letter in front of the number like C or K? If not it was between 1915-42 unless it was a regulation police then between 49-69. Somebody who knows more will help more if you start a separate thread and post good pictures

lenmattsen · #9 04-27-2020, 07:56 PM

I have inherited S&W Pre-Model 10, change 3, serial number is on the butt, C380445. Any help withe the mfg. date will be sincerely appreciated.
BTW, I can't find a phone number to call for this request nor can I find a point of contact for the historical records. Thanks, Len

laytonj1 · #10 04-27-2020, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenmattsen

I have inherited S&W Pre-Model 10, change 3, serial number is on the butt, C380445. Any help withe the mfg. date will be sincerely appreciated.
BTW, I can't find a phone number to call for this request nor can I find a point of contact for the historical records. Thanks, Len

Serial numbers ran from C277555 in 1954 to C402923 in 1956.
And it would be a .38 Military & Police (post war).

Jim

H Richard · #11 04-28-2020, 09:31 AM

What we all reference is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson version 4 most likely and supplement that by lists of our own firearms we have or have had. The book is available form local booksellers, or from Amazon, and is available for Kindle app.