Model 49, Date of Manufacture?

bmesw49 · Jun 30, 2014

My new to me Model 49 (no dash) has a number stamped on the frame visible when the cylinder is open. It reads 128XX there and also inside the grips. However there is a totally different number stamped at the very bottom of the frame between the bottom of the grips. That number is 9J8xxx.

Which number is the actual serial number and what is the other number?

I would appreciate it if someone who has the "Standard Catalog of S&W" could please check and let me know approximately when my J-frame revolver was manufactured.

Thanks in advance for your help.

g8rb8 · Jun 30, 2014

9J8xxx is the serial #. As best I can interpret the SCSW it dates to 1983.
Per SCSW:
1983 1J18601-xxxx

Does it have a pinned barrel? The pinned barrel was eliminated in 1982.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

bmesw49 · Jul 1, 2014

g8rb8,
Thanks, yes it does have the pinned barrel.

g8rb8 · Jul 1, 2014

bmesw49 said:
g8rb8,
Thanks, yes it does have the pinned barrel.

Pictures would be nice. Your model 49 must have been towards the end of the run of pinned barrels for model 49's (?).

The other thing I wonder about is that definitely a J between the one and the one in 9J8xxx?

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

hotrod150 · Jul 1, 2014

I believe that a floating J s/n with 4 or 5 digits (like 9J8xxx) is circa 1971-72. Floating J with 6 digits is 1982-83.

bmesw49 · Jul 1, 2014

John,
It is very clearly 9J8xxx.

I believe that hotrod150 is correct that it is from 1971-72.

I personally knew the owner of this gun from the mid 1970's until he passed away around 1995. He was a NY city police officer all his working career and was already retired when I first met him. His son is one of my best friends and told me that he never remembered a time when his dad did not carry a gun everyday - either his service revolver or this one. That suggests that his father already had this revolver when I met him in the mid 1970's.

Thanks to both of you for helping me understand when my new to me Model 49 was manufactured.

I am going out of town until late next week. After I return, I will take some pictures and post them.

bmesw49 · Jul 14, 2014

Pictures, as promised

I returned from my trip a few days ago. Here are a few pictures of my Model 49. I think it is in pretty good condition with only a few wear spots. I plan to take it to the range this week.

One of the pictures shows the well worn IWB holster that the original owner used until the revolver was stored away over 20 years ago. With no coverage over the trigger I would never consider using this holster.

mbliss57 · Jul 15, 2014

The model 49 is one of my favorites.
This one is from 1981... The J plus 6 digits...

Ignore those feet.

Model 49, Date of Manufacture?

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