|
|
07-16-2016, 06:28 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Barboursville, VA
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
N-Prefix Serial Number
I've been looking at some Model 58 on gunbroker, and I've seen a couple of references to N-Prefix Serial Numbers. What is the significance of this? Thanks!
|
07-16-2016, 06:51 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: VA
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 1,454
Liked 4,526 Times in 1,938 Posts
|
|
N prefix came after S prefix - so a later model
|
07-16-2016, 07:06 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Sutherlin, Oregon
Posts: 984
Likes: 553
Liked 821 Times in 419 Posts
|
|
Smith and Wesson's serial number system evolved over the years. In the case of the N-frames after the second world war, the company began serial numbers with an "S" signifying a "safe" action, which was different from the pre-war action. It was made safer in keeping the gun from firing if dropped hard enough on the hammer, therefore the "S" numbers. The "S" numbers continued until sometime in 1969 when the numbers began with N 1 and continued until the gun design was changed along with a large change of the manufacturing process.
|
07-16-2016, 11:35 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,505
Likes: 14,685
Liked 9,380 Times in 3,742 Posts
|
|
As I recall, they had to change from "S" to "N" due to a requirement of GCA '68 that all firearms have a unique serial number. A large #of K frames had been or were being made with an "S" (I don't recall which was then true), so the serial numbering system had to change. The M58 was not real popular for a lot of reasons, and sales were slow. My M58, bought new in 1978, had a serial number with an "S" prefix, and most of the revolvers with serial numbers near mine were sold in the mid-60s.
__________________
NHI, 10-8.
|
07-17-2016, 01:49 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 13,977
Likes: 5,149
Liked 19,279 Times in 6,930 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug M.
As I recall, they had to change from "S" to "N" due to a requirement of GCA '68 that all firearms have a unique serial number.
|
True as far as it goes.
S prefix numbers had been assigned to both N and K frame guns in the postwar period. There were no overlaps, however, since the K frame numbers started in the S811xxx range (although the lowest one I've ever been able to physically locate and identify carried serial number S812489). The K frame S numbers ended at S999999.
The N frame numbers were all much lower. They started at S62489 (in 1946) and ended at S333454 (in late 1969 or early 1970).
So, there never was an actual danger of duplicating S prefix numbers - at least at any time in the near future. However, the entire situation called for a preparatory shift in the numbering scheme. The N frame guns switched to a whole new series (N prefix) and other sequences were coordinated to avoid any duplication, resulting, for example, in the very odd occurrence in the J prefix line of the "floating J" of 1971-72. We can be thankful that strange approach was short lived.
Eventually, in the early 1980s, S&W did away with multiple sequences operating simultaneously and moved all revolvers to the three-alpha system.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-17-2016, 09:33 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Southwest Iowa
Posts: 10,669
Likes: 2,688
Liked 18,981 Times in 5,590 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK
True as far as it goes.
S prefix numbers had been assigned to both N and K frame guns in the postwar period. There were no overlaps, however, since the K frame numbers started in the S811xxx range (although the lowest one I've ever been able to physically locate and identify carried serial number S812489). The K frame S numbers ended at S999999.
The N frame numbers were all much lower. They started at S62489 (in 1946) and ended at S333454 (in late 1969 or early 1970).
So, there never was an actual danger of duplicating S prefix numbers - at least at any time in the near future. However, the entire situation called for a preparatory shift in the numbering scheme. The N frame guns switched to a whole new series (N prefix) and other sequences were coordinated to avoid any duplication, resulting, for example, in the very odd occurrence in the J prefix line of the "floating J" of 1971-72. We can be thankful that strange approach was short lived.
Eventually, in the early 1980s, S&W did away with multiple sequences operating simultaneously and moved all revolvers to the three-alpha system.
|
Man is that the truth. I have one of those "floating J's" in a 1972 Chiefs Special. Was that confusing until the light went on.
|
07-17-2016, 01:08 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,505
Likes: 14,685
Liked 9,380 Times in 3,742 Posts
|
|
As usual, someone who actually has a clue came along and replied.
__________________
NHI, 10-8.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|