For sentimental reasons I would like to have a S&W stainless revolver made in 1981.

@Lou_the_welder was kind enough to post a pic of the page from the Standard catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th Ed. with the three letter prefixes for various dates. Does that apply to all models of S&W revolvers? I'm thinking of a 686 or 629.

Thanks!

Yes, but the triple alpha does not apply to all guns made in 1981. There are lots of N and K and J prefix stainless guns from 1981. The 629s made in 1981 had N prefixes.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Thanks for the reply @22hipower but I'm not sure what your "yes" applies to.

My question pertains only to revolvers if that helps.

His response pertains "only to revolvers" made in 1981. Not all are triple alpha prefix.

To answer the question from the opposite direction - feel free to ask if you find a gun for sale that might be of the correct age. Probably a 686 with the first two letters of the SN prefix being A, or a 629 in the N800000 range. Happy hunting!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Yes, triple alpha prefixes applied to N, K, and J frame revolvers. You were asking about 1981 and 629s specifically, but you won't find a triple alpha 629 from 1981. If you find a 4 or 8 3/8 inch P&R 629 you can be almost certain that it is from 1981. The 6 inch 629s came earlier but the P&R 629 in 4 and 8 3/8 was just the one year. To make it a little more complicated, but possibly still 1981, as S&W transitioned to -1s some guns were pinned and not recessed or recessed and not pinned. Look for something in the N865/866XXX range or close, my 4 inch and 8 3/8 inch are both in that range.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

A Model 60 -- stainless Chiefs Special -- from 1981 will be in the
R serial number series in the R265000 - R300000 range.

The first known Model 60s with alphanumeric serial numbers
shipped in February 1983.

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob