Two different serial numbers?

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SamIam51

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I was recording the serial numbers of my firearms to keep on record and discovered my Model 29-3 has two different serial numbers stamped on the frame. The one on the butt is
Nxxx185 and the one on the frame under the yoke area is Nxxx187.
I have a Model 10 and the numbers on the butt and under the yoke area match.
I messaged S&W on their website but haven't heard from them yet.
I thought maybe someone here would have an answer.

Thanks, Sam
 
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Just a mistake in stamping it.Stuff happens.Use the butt number.
 
That's pretty much what I figured. Thank you for the reply.

Sam
 
I got a reply from S&W and they offered to send me a shipping label to send my Mod 29 in to take care of the mis stamped yoke. They even said they would replace the frame if needed. I'm just going to keep it and keep shooting it as is.
Thanks to all who replied.

Sam
 
I don't know if I wouldn't take them up on this, Sam. Who knows what might happen down the road and have some dunderheaded fool try to charge you for defacing a serial number or some such foolishness like that because S&W put 2 different serials on your gun. Of course the one on the butt is the official number but I could foresee some kind of problem potentially because the serial in the yoke cut not matching the official serial number.
 
I'd keep what you have. The current N frames being produced by S&W are quite different that what you have. Different rear sight body, internal lock, MIM hammer and trigger, etc. I am not saying the new guns are bad, just different than the older guns.

I would print a copy of your e-mail exchanges with S&W and put them where you won't lose them. That would clear up any accusations that you were altering and/or defacing the serial number.
 
Nothing to be concerned about. If you sent it back in all likelihood S&W will just over-stamp the 7 with a 5.

To verify there's no funny business, verify the serial # on the backside of the extractor star matches one # or the other. Always use optical magnification including a flashlight when looking at or for serial numbers to observe the information accurately.

Also that the assembly # on the yoke matches the one on the left side of the grip frame under the stock, and inside of the sideplate.
 
It's true, the 29-3 began on the "cusp" of the elimination of serial numbering the extractor star in the early 1980s.

Oddly enough, we have often observed all original 4 Screw K and N frames with numbered cylinders when none of the other parts including the extractor star were numbered, except the frame of course.

Obviously, something had changed in the fitting and/or finishing sequence for a short time early on that did not require numbering the extractor.

Clearly, that sequence was soon changed again, and we again observe the long used process of serial numbers on the frame and extractor only.

There are exceptions like anything S&W, and the extractor star serial # stamping is no exception being sporadic in the early 1980s. Only the butt and yoke cut stamping locations remain to this day.

The new star ratchet shape began in 1996 and is not serial numbered.
 
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I have a model 317 Ultralite that has two different serial numbers stamped on it. The number on the butt of the gun has a prefix of "CGT", while the crane is stamped "LGT". I also have the original box that shows a serial number starting with LGT. In Michigan, we have to register our handguns. I filled out the purchase permit/registration form with both serial numbers. It didn't raise any red flags with the Michigan State Police. To the original poster, I wouldn't send the gun back. As another poster stated, it would probably come back to you with a crude overstamped serial number.
 
BUFF said:
I'd keep what you have. The current N frames being produced by S&W are quite different that what you have. Different rear sight body, internal lock, MIM hammer and trigger, etc. I am not saying the new guns are bad, just different than the older guns.

I would print a copy of your e-mail exchanges with S&W and put them where you won't lose them. That would clear up any accusations that you were altering and/or defacing the serial number.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. I don't really want to take a chance that they'd replace the frame. I didn't expect them to replace anything, I was curious as to why the numbers didn't match. If I would have checked here on the forum before I contacted S&W I wouldn't have bothered to email them. There is a wealth of info here.
I did save the emails.
Thanks to all who replied, I've learned more than I expected.
 
Smith won't replace the frame for a one digit mis-number anyway. They don't even have those parts any longer for that vintage, and it would be cheaper to give you a new gun, which of course is out the question.
 
Well it seems that 29-3's had problems, I also have one mis stamped, S&W told me only one other surfaced since 1980, Must be yours.... Guess we have rare guns, ? I got a letter from ATF saying which serial number to use.... Any thoughts on values on these?
 
Dave Lee said:
Well it seems that 29-3's had problems, I also have one mis stamped, S&W told me only one other surfaced since 1980, Must be yours.... Guess we have rare guns, ? I got a letter from ATF saying which serial number to use.... Any thoughts on values on these?
Click to expand...

And which one did they tell you to use?
 
Dave Lee said:
Well it seems that 29-3's had problems, I also have one mis stamped, S&W told me only one other surfaced since 1980, Must be yours.... Guess we have rare guns, ? I got a letter from ATF saying which serial number to use.... Any thoughts on values on these?
Click to expand...

Mis-stampings don't seem to hurt the value any. It pops up here from time to time in various forms and nobody seems bothered by it.
 
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