Serial Number Locations
- Thread starter KEN L
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Roughly 1957 (when "soft fitting" of parts was stopped) the barrel and cylinder numbers went away, but you can see slightly later guns with them as parts were used up. I think either the numbered rear extractor or yoke face went away later but can't recall which.
DWalt
Member
Yes, about when model numbering started.
And, sometimes slightly earlier without the numbers. I have two K-38 Masterpiece revolvers whose serial numbers point to 1956 (four screw) and neither of them have serial numbers on the barrel flat or the rear face of the cylinder.
Ken,
We owe the Russians a vote of thanks; having been the 1st to require multi-locations on their S&W #3 contract revolvers.
Here are the 6 serial # locations left after WW II to look for:
Gun butt* - or forestrap* on I frames with grips that cover the butt
Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud
Yoke - on rear face visible thru a chamber with a flashlight
Extractor star - backside
Cylinder - rear face
Right stock** – stamped on backside
Eventually down to only 3 serial # locations remaining by c. late 1957 which are:
Gun butt*
Extractor star - backside
Right stock – backside
“Decreasing Serial # locations began May 1, 1957 when S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Operation over a transition period from 6 locations to only 3; butt, back of right stock (until mid '70s), and extractor star (until c. 1980). Then added in the yoke cut starting 1959, eventually just on butt of grip frame, and yoke cut. But guns in process or in inventory as of 5/1/57 can still have more than 3 and up to 6 locations. “When S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Operation on May 1, 1957, they stopped routinely stamping the serial number on the barrel, cylinder & yoke arm. Many guns shipped after this time will be numbered because assembly was done in advance and inventory using the old process had to be used up.” Bill (Doc44)
*NOTE: The one TRUE place you can be sure of reading the serial number, including letter prefixes after WW II, is the BUTT of the gun, (or Front grip strap on non-round butt .22/32 & Regulation Police pre Model of 1953 I frames). The number on the butt may be drilled thru by the factory for installation of a lanyard ring but is re-stamped on the grip frame, under the left stock. Factory installed rings are always 1/10” forward of center.
** Stamped since 1857, stock #s changed to penciled #s c. 1900 and back to stamped #s in 1929. Usually scratched on hard rubber grips.
Model Number Stamping Nuances: stamping began eventually, after being ordered June 12, 1957, but the serial number was not stamped in the yoke cut, the frame side of the yoke hinge, until late 1959 or early 1960, and then it was only stamped there when the revolver model was shipped with target stocks as standard. Soon after, serial #s were stamped on the frame in the yoke cut on all models, except on some smaller guns where it just didn't fit. When stamped in the yoke cut, the frame assembly # from the yoke cut was moved to the left side of the grip frame.
We owe the Russians a vote of thanks; having been the 1st to require multi-locations on their S&W #3 contract revolvers.
Here are the 6 serial # locations left after WW II to look for:
Gun butt* - or forestrap* on I frames with grips that cover the butt
Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud
Yoke - on rear face visible thru a chamber with a flashlight
Extractor star - backside
Cylinder - rear face
Right stock** – stamped on backside
Eventually down to only 3 serial # locations remaining by c. late 1957 which are:
Gun butt*
Extractor star - backside
Right stock – backside
“Decreasing Serial # locations began May 1, 1957 when S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Operation over a transition period from 6 locations to only 3; butt, back of right stock (until mid '70s), and extractor star (until c. 1980). Then added in the yoke cut starting 1959, eventually just on butt of grip frame, and yoke cut. But guns in process or in inventory as of 5/1/57 can still have more than 3 and up to 6 locations. “When S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Operation on May 1, 1957, they stopped routinely stamping the serial number on the barrel, cylinder & yoke arm. Many guns shipped after this time will be numbered because assembly was done in advance and inventory using the old process had to be used up.” Bill (Doc44)
*NOTE: The one TRUE place you can be sure of reading the serial number, including letter prefixes after WW II, is the BUTT of the gun, (or Front grip strap on non-round butt .22/32 & Regulation Police pre Model of 1953 I frames). The number on the butt may be drilled thru by the factory for installation of a lanyard ring but is re-stamped on the grip frame, under the left stock. Factory installed rings are always 1/10” forward of center.
** Stamped since 1857, stock #s changed to penciled #s c. 1900 and back to stamped #s in 1929. Usually scratched on hard rubber grips.
Model Number Stamping Nuances: stamping began eventually, after being ordered June 12, 1957, but the serial number was not stamped in the yoke cut, the frame side of the yoke hinge, until late 1959 or early 1960, and then it was only stamped there when the revolver model was shipped with target stocks as standard. Soon after, serial #s were stamped on the frame in the yoke cut on all models, except on some smaller guns where it just didn't fit. When stamped in the yoke cut, the frame assembly # from the yoke cut was moved to the left side of the grip frame.
