I have a .32long, 4 1/4 barrel, round butt with mop grips...serial number 178***
The crane is marked 5678.
Is it a uniquely random odd number or something specific?
john

5678 is the assembly number.

Welcome to the Forum.

As noted, this is an assembly number, used to keep fitted parts together during the build. If your pearl stocks have S&W medallions, they would have come from the factory. Otherwise, they are probably aftermarket.

Please post pictures. We here on the forum love pictures!

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

ASSEMBLY (factory work, soft fitting) #s: These multi-digit numbers of 3 to 5 digits, are on the yoke at the hinge, in the ‘yoke cut’ of the frame opposite the yoke near the hinge (usually accompanied with the inspector’s letter or # code stamp of approval, but not always), and inside of the sideplate, for the pre war and early post war period thru ~early 1958. Once the gun is shipped, the only use for the assembly # is to confirm they match on all three parts it's stamped on, and are original to the gun. These are still in use to this day.

After the 6/22/1957 change order, Model #s were assigned and eventually stamped on the frame in the yoke cut. The serial # was soon after added in the ‘yoke cut’ as well and the assembly # moved from there to the left side of the grip frame parallel to the butt. More currently beginning in the 1980’s we see non-matching multi-digit numbers parallel to the butt left or right side, and inside the side plate.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819