I have a model 5906 with the starting serial number VBJ. I would like to know the date of manufacture.
Thanks for the help.

Welcome! The published reference is a little sparse on information in this era but possibly 1994. One of the 3rd generation pistol experts may be along with a more specific guess.

If you have the original box and end label we can give you a very precise date.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Email, [email protected] and they will be able to give you at minimum the month and year of production. When I asked about my new to me 5946 earlier this week, they also gave me the production code.

They're also sending me a recoil spring at no charge.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I agree with what has been suggested. I could MAYBE see late 1993 production, but 1994 seems most likely, and an e-mail to S&W should get this done. They typically reply within 2-3 business days.

This e-mail query works best on modern guns, typically with the "dreaded" triple alpha serial numbers.

Please report back when you hear!

Clearly the best option is to ask SW as suggested above. The S/N were assigned when frame was produced and Assembly and Shipping / Manufacture Date could be years later.

As I recall the limited data on triple alpha s/n in SCSW is based on reported / observed s/n and is correct but not exclusive - i.e. a single prefix may be correctly included in multiple non-consecutive years.

I have 2 pistols VJB prefix dated by SW 4 years apart VJB029x 6/1997 and VJB526x 2/2001 respectively.

Even more extreme - I also have 5946 VJP356x dated 5/2009 and 16 digit higher 6946 VJP358x dated 11 years earlier at 1/1998.

This is a fantastic post and perfect data to support WHY Supica & Nahas have christened these as the “dreaded triple alpha” serial number series.

S&W also did some cutesy garbage by playing with some of the serial prefixes. We all have our own opinions, but I myself believe it was a dumb exercise to debut the 10xx series of pistols with a serial prefix starting with TEN-xxxx, that seems like something a teenager with a Snapchat account would do. On the other hand, the earliest test 3rd Gens with the very rare AIP-serial prefix at least makes some sense, the AIP denoting the “automatic improvement program.”

Either way, deviating from any rational order is simply frustrating for anyone (internal or otherwise) who might ever attempt to use a serial number to possibly identify a period of time.

Yes, it has been said hundreds of times that S&W has been in the business of manufacturing and selling guns, not collectible or heirlooms or minute trivia. I both understand and accept this answer, but it doesn’t change my position that it’s annoying and unhelpful that S&W plays it so fast & loose with serial numbers — specifically since 1980 and the dawn of the dreaded triple alpha serial prefix.

I would add to my argument that S&W opened themselves up to this (esoteric) line of criticism (that they couldn’t care less about ) simply when you consider that they made about one hundred years worth of firearms before they decided to get cute and silly with serial numbers.

You know — in a way, it’s quite fitting. These days, S&W serial numbers are in the same class as S&W’s quality control.

While I agree the lack of a readily decodeable s/n system in the triple alpha and particularly 3rd generation pistols is frustrating - I suspect the previous multiple 2nd generation models with A series serial numbers also lack a defined chronological sequence.

I believe S/N must be assigned to track frames when frames are manufactured. Furthermore, multiple different model frames are being manufactured concurrently in speculation of demand. So ABC0001 and ABC0002 may be different models.

The frames may be set aside for later assembly (or set aside as contracted spares). Then the multiplicity of pistol models are completed and sold based on demand. So the lack of a chronologically decodeable S/N system would seem to be unavoidable unless you assigned a unique 3 letter prefix to each model's S/N group and required that they be assembled in serial number order.

The majority of a 3 letter group are probably assembled within a year or possibly over a 2 year span, but with the exception of a large order for a specific model such as the CHP pistols, the assembly (Manufacture date) of a particular frame of a particular model would presumably be a function of demand or anticipated demand for a specific model.

Best case you get an order for a group of 100+/- of a specific model such as the less popular 6944s in sequencial S/N groups. (There were at least 5 such small groups of the relatively unpopular 6944s - 512 TFB 1990, 230 TVD 1992-3, apporox 100 TZB 1992-3, 55 TZZ 1993, and 100 VAC 1994 - but even there the S/N groups were not exclusively 6944s).

But when a 6946 and a 5946 frame are less than 20 s/n apart, the Manufacturing chronology becomes more random. In my case, I believe my 5946 was most likely assembled from contract spares or possibly residuals after regular 5946 production was discontinued. But the observed 4 year differential of different models was probably more common.

My gripe would be the lack of a chronological use of the 3 letters. AAB should logically follow AAA etc., but I would not assume that AAB0001 would immediately follow AAA9999.

I guess I'm the guy out of step in that I have little interest in build dates. Provided of course 1) I know what build state I have when it comes to mags and spares, and 2) the gun functions.

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Release the Kraken

Out of step…?

Well, this is the S&W Forum, and some of us very much enjoy the story behind the story, the history and the origins. It’s probably why we have lengthy discussions and dig deeply in to particular areas that we find interesting and fascinating.

I don’t believe anyone has suggested that OTHER folks also must find interesting what we find interesting.

I don’t exactly know what “out of step” means, I would not suggest it’s out of step to NOT find serial numbers and manufacture dates interesting. It MIGHT be out of step to show up in conversation that is titled as such and full of same simply to announce that you have no interest in what’s being discussed.

Mic drop!!!

Everyone has their own particular and different interests, of course. But I find the S&W serial numbers to be fascinating. Even the dreaded triple alpha group. Perhaps it's because I was a coin collector as a kid. I really liked knowing the year a coin was made, and its mint location, if possible. It was fun to be able to place the origin of the coin in a certain place and time, and to think about all the history it had existed through. It's the same with S&W firearms for me. I enjoy researching the serial number and trying to find out when it was made, trying to pinpoint its place in history. Thinking about the craftsmen who made the piece, and what was going on in America at the time it was made is enjoyable, and where my parents, or even my grandparents may have been when it was manufactured. And with a S&W historical letter, finding out where the firearm traveled after it left the factory.
Some might consider these thoughts to be nerdy or geeky or silly. But I know there are a lot of people on this forum who will understand where I'm coming from. The serial numbers add to the history and lore of this great American manufacturing company. And I'm grateful to have this forum to share my thoughts with people who feel the same way. Hope you all have a great day!

There is one more strategic possibility - the random assignment of prefixes prevents any one from knowing monthly or annual Production quantities / capacities (competitors or a potential enemy in military security concerns)

That is a really good point. I hadn't really considered that before, but you could be exactly right. For example, the dreaded triple alpha serial number group, arguably the most confusing series of serial numbers in the history of S&W, arose not only during the Cold War, but within the last decade of the Cold War, when the Soviet Union was under a lot of strain, and ultimately collapsed within the same period. Makes sense to me, especially from the military/strategic perspective. Because it makes it difficult for the enemy to assess your production capacity and manufacturing capabilities. Thanks!

I have seen illogical S/N once related to a DOD project, but if to mask production quantities / capabilities in this time frame probably more likely related to Glock competitor that also used weird Serial numbers. But then a lot of 3rd Gen pistols went to Israel so who knows?