Frames were made in small batches, serial numbered, but not polished or finished. They were stored in an area of the fitting room in random order, separated by model. When a build order was received, a group of frames would be grabbed at random and sent to the Soft Fitting Department along with barrels and cylinders. The revolver would be assembled, and the parts fitted. The barrel and cylinder would be assigned the butt serial number and the revolver taken apart. The barrel, cylinder, and frame would then be sent to heat treating, polishing, and the finishing department for either bluing or nickel plating. Once the final finishing was completed, the parts would be returned to Hard Fitting for storage until a production order for the 44 Magnum was received. This process resulted in a complete mixing of serial numbers.
For example, 44 Magnum, S166065, was shipped from S&W on April 2, 1956, and S153810 was shipped on November 8, 1956. The former was most likely completed in late March 1956, whereas the latter was most likely completed in early November 1956. In post #1, the 44 Magnum was most likely completed in November/December 1956 and shipped shortly thereafter. Demand for the 44 Magnum was very high in 1956. The revolver did not sit in inventory for many months.
S&W eliminated the Soft Fitting Department on May 3, 1957, and this helped reduce (not eliminate) the mixing of serial numbers for all models (not just the 44 Magnum).
Bill
...Ben
