19-4 question

[got2hav1]

So I just picked up a 19-4 snubbie. Looks great and I will post some photos soon. But I have a question on the serial number and possible date of manufacture.
If the first digit of the serial is a 9 or even 8 how could it be a 19-4? It is pinned and recessed and clearly marked on the crane as a 19-4. Am I missing something?

 

[Pizza Bob]

The 95K prefix of your serial would indicate a 1981 date of manufacture. The 19-4 variation ran through 1982.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[got2hav1]

PB, thanks. I missed that somehow!

 

[JP@AK]

Yes.
85K is 1980
95K is 1981

"Problem" solved.

 

[45NUTT]

19-5's lost the P&R I believe.

EDIT: Yepper, I had to check the 19-5 nickel snubbie in my holster!

 

[chief38]

There are many gun company's that have been around for a very long time. They have all changed their serial number methods, date codes and styles over those years and it does get a little confusing. There are sometimes only a range of years you can narrow down a DOM on some guns. While S&W's has changed numerous times with the SCSW book it has become fairly easy to quickly narrow down a DOM on almost any gun they have produced. YES - there are always exceptions.

I just had to date an early FN Auto 5 shotgun for someone and the closest I could get was 1926 -1929. All my A-5 books vary within those 4 years.