I just dug out my 586 that I've owned for many years and am trying to clean it up and getting it ready to put some ammo downrange for the first time in quite awhile. I'm curious when it was made. The limited info I have does not show serial numbers with these letters in it. The S/N is AHV7065. Can anyone give me a born-on date? Many thanks.
Serial number beginning with "AHV"
- Thread starter daveboy
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1987, according to the #4 SCoSW.
1985, according to SCSW4.
Edit: re-checked the book - that prefix appears under both years.
Edit: re-checked the book - that prefix appears under both years.
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Do you have the original box with end label? That would be definitive.
Alternatively, you can call or email the factory, they have the data for the three letter/four digit SNs and will usually let you know.
Alternatively, you can call or email the factory, they have the data for the three letter/four digit SNs and will usually let you know.
ezb57
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Looks like that one predates the labels with the "Spec Order" box - that gives the Julian date of shipping.
Todd
Todd
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That appears to be the box for a 586 with a serial number of AAC2664
What info on the box label gives a production date?
Thanks
Did you acquire this revolver 2nd hand?
Once the Factory computerized in the 1980s, they began to record more information than in the days of hand written records.
The 586 was introduced in 1980
The Firearm's Date of Manufacture began to be included on the new computer printed labels. Under the heading of SPEC ORD a 4 digit number was printed. 95%+ of the time this was the Date of Manufacture. The first digit was the year of Manufacture. Since this was a single digit, it is required that you know the decade the fire was from. The remaining 3 digits was the Day of Manufacture in Julian format.
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ezb57
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This label is on the other end. I dont think this is a Julian date, is it?
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I agree- it appears that the box is not original to your revolver (if you were reading the revolver's s/n AHV7065 from the grip butt). The box is definitely for AAC2664 which would have been an earlier second year Model 586 (1981). The triple-alpha serial numbers are often confusing...but in this case I think that your revolver was manufactured in 1985. Even though "AHV" is also reported as being sighted in 1987, it was probably still made in 1985 but not shipped until later. The Model 586 .357 Distinguished Combat Magnums are fine revolvers, and there are lots of fans here on the Forum. Enjoy!
No sorry, wish S&W made it easier for us collectors/accumulators/droolers etc.
This thread confused me a bit until I realized that different posters were involved. OP daveboy asked about his 586 SN AHV7065, then member ezb57 posted a box label pic and question about his own model 586's SN.
Basically what both these members have is great taste in hardware! My own no dash 586 is ADC08xx that S&W says shipped in 1983. It is my only 8 3/8" barrel.
Todd
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There are two different posts, the OP asking about prefix AHV (definitely in the Special Order code packing date era) and the other AAC (right at the end of the handwritten label era and no date information).
My bad...I didn't read the small print and realize it was 2 separate Posts! LOL!
