I Need a Year for My .44 Magnum

[Buz Carpenter]

I think it was manufactured in 88-89, but I would like to make sure. It's a 629-1, Ser.#BB03096, Stainless .44 Magnum 6" barrel and checkered Rosewood grips. I've had it since '90 and it's my favorite. I bought it second hand in the original box with cleaning kit and instructions.

Thanks

[murphydog]

If the prefix was used in alphabetical order to nearby ones (not always the case with S & W), August-September 1988 for the production date appears likely. Hope this is helpful.

"I Need a Year for My .44 Magnum" - why, is it making you wait?

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by Buz Carpenter

I think it was manufactured in 88-89, but I would like to make sure. It's a 629-1, Ser.#BB03096,

I bought it second hand in the original box with cleaning kit and instructions.

Thanks

If you pull out that box and look at the "SPEC ORD" number, that is the date of manufacture.

The 1st digit of the "SPEC ORD" number is the last digit of the year, so you need to know what decade it was manufactured in.

The reaming three digits are the day of the year in Julian format. For example x042 would be February 11th

You can just google Julian Calendar and one will pop up for you. Remember to consider leap years or your date could be one day off

[murphydog]

Uh...that too.

[Buz Carpenter]

Sadly the original box has passed into oblivion many years ago through various moves. The gun has been holstered for the most part since I've owned it. Keeping it in a box never made a lot of sense to me and at the time, didn't realize the value of the original box especially in the case of a resale.
Thanks for the replies