Just picked up a model 52-2 and in the process of looking up the build date I noticed that it's serial number starts with A104xxx and the book states that the "A" prefix start with A115xxx. I checked the box and it matches. Appreciate members thoughts on this. Trying to learn.

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Cub. Very interesting indeed sir. You are correct. As the 52-2 was an improvement over the prior model, I wonder if this was perhaps a transitional gun circa 1969-1970. Smith has been known to issue models in transition primarily as QC to the public or to test market strength, although they are always rare. I personally have a 6450 that falls into this category. I think you might have stumbled on to a rare gun, and at any rate a great buy. I would love to see pics of this if possible. Congrats!

Never happened without PICS.

52-1 1027XX Oct-69
52-1 1028XX Oct-69
52-2 A1047XX Dec-72
52-2 A1071XX May-70
S&W/Jinks for your SHIP date

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TOMBECK

Please excuse the ****** cell phone pics, I'll try to get some better ones over the weekend. Tom, it looks like our 52-2 are same year mine is A1047xx, but who knows without a letter.

Hope this works

http://s565.photobucket.com/user/cub...s/library/52-2

I had a new one back in 1980's. It was a very accurate gun. I was reloading the 38spl. wad cutters back then. You could put holes inside of holes with that gun on target. I was at the range last week they had a used one. They told me they have lead free wad cutters to use at this indoor range for that gun.

Problem with ship dates - no real pattern of consistancy of SN order to ship date.

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TOMBECK

Nice gun. I've been looking for one for a while.

The serial number is correct the earlier (than the standard catalog states) numbers with the “A” prefix signifies a duplicate serial number, S&W added the “A” to give one a different serial.