S&W .357 Model 19-7 serial number question

[RRJennings]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. Have purchased a 95% good revolver model 19-7. Having trouble finding information about when it was made. Got the The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, but it didn't list the serial number for my gun. I may be reading it wrong, but it appears to be ESS6690. It could be B556690, but I'm pretty sure they used 3 letters and 4 numbers for the 19-7. That is what I see under the crane above the model stamp. It's a beautiful blued 2 1/2 inch barrel with uncle mikes rubber grips I just love shooting. Pretty sure it was a police dept owned revolver due to more numbers on the frame under the grips. Does anyone know if those serial numbers make sense and what year this weapon may have been produced? Really would like to know what year it was produced.
Thanks,
Robert

[Iggy]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

The serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame. You will need to remove the grips to see it.

What you are looking at are assembly numbers and mean nothing after leaving the factory.

BTW pictures of your gun or beers for all are required.

[murphydog]

In this era, I think the SN would have appeared on the yoke cutout (where you see BSS6690) and the bottom of the grip frame. The letter prefix probably puts it as an early 1995 gun; the SN reference has a gap in the information here.

So, where are the photos?

[snw19_357]

Yup, by 1995 (where a BSSxxxxM19 would be), it would have come with Uncle Mike rubber grips so the serial number would have been stamped in the yoke cut with a dot matrix pattern.
It will be more clearly stamped on the bottom of the butt so you can confirm the s/n.

[RRJennings]

Pictures of both my .357 guns. Very nice little .357 derringer made by a company no longer in business.