28-2 serial number / number on stocks & frame?

[.38SuperMan]

While cleaning my 1978 28-2 today after a range session I notice the number pressed in the right stock did not match the frame number. I purchased the gun new in 78 so there’s no chance the stocks have ever been swapped. The stocks are 250 higher than the number on the bottom of the grip frame. Also I knew the dealer and I’m pretty sure they were not swapped in his shop.

Is this a normal occurrence to have non matching numbers from the factory?

Second question, I’d never noticed the SN is stamped on the frame behind the crane. This isn’t an assembly number as it exactly matches the grip frame number including the N prefix. The number is stamped above the 28-2 stamp. I don’t recall seeing that on my other smiths. Is this common? I just checked 10 other Smiths I have and none have the SN stamped behind the crane, just assembly numbers if that. Is this unique to the 28-2?

I actually hadn’t shot my 28 in a while and had forgotten what great guns the 28’s are. “

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike C2]

It’s very common for model 520’s of that same era to ship with serial numbered grips that are close but not exact. It’s also common for guns that were available with optional target grips to have the serial number stamped in the crane. With guns that only shipped with Magnas like the 58’s and 520’s they don’t have the serial number in that area during the same vintage.

 

[.38SuperMan]

It’s very common for model 520’s of that same era to ship with serial numbered grips that are close but not exact. It’s also common for guns that were available with optional target grips to have the serial number stamped in the crane. With guns that only shipped with Magnas like the 58’s and 520’s they don’t have the serial number in that area during the same vintage.

I figured stocks might get mixed up at the factory. I have a Ruger Single Six I bought new probably forty years ago from a small family shop and the number on the box and cylinder don’t match the frame number. The box could have gotten mixed up at the store but I wouldn’t think the cylinder would have. Possible but given the shop I doubt it.

Thanks!

 

[Sevens]

I'm guessing that of all the S&W revolvers you own... most of them are quite older! Someone else certainly must know when the SN began to appear on the frame flat under the yoke, but it's been this way for a LONG, long time. I will guess since some time in the 1960's.

Yes, the SN on the butt remains... but since they began stamping them on the frame flat behind the yoke, they have done it with -ALL- of them.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I'm guessing that of all the S&W revolvers you own... most of them are quite older! Someone else certainly must know when the SN began to appear on the frame flat under the yoke, but it's been this way for a LONG, long time. I will guess since some time in the 1960's.

Yes, the SN on the butt remains... but since they began stamping them on the frame flat behind the yoke, they have done it with -ALL- of them.

No I have several newer ones with the alphabet code but none that I checked have it on the flat. I have a pretty good spread of vintage to newer. I’ll remove the stocks from my newest tomorrow and see.

 

[Sevens]

I'm beginning to wonder if we have some slight communication breakdown.

If we are talking about a 1970 or later S&W revolver, there are for certain two places on the frame itself where the serial number is stamped. One is on the bottom of the butt and one is on the frame flat which is naturally covered when the cylinder is closed -- but is obvious and easily seen when the cylinder is open.

Can we not agree on this?

Do you own S&W revolvers made after 1970 with no serial number shown in BOTH of these places?

Or did we split off somewhere in this middle of this and I'm absolutely confused on what we are talking about?

 

[Doc44]

I don't know if we are talking about the same area, but the serial number was stamped in the "yoke cut" on 44 Magnums beginning in early 1957. When model numbers began in 1958, the model number was stamped below the serial number. I always assumed it was the same for other models, but don't know as much about them.

Bill

 

[.38SuperMan]

I went back and looked at several post 1982 smiths. Two had serial numbers on the cut behind the yoke and two did not. I guess they stamp the number when they feel like it. Of the two N frames one has it stamped and one doesn’t. One is a 1978 28-2 and the other is a 625-2 model of 1989. My 66-2 post 1982 does not have the number behind the yoke and my 617 with the Hillary hole does. My 640 no dash from the early 90 has the numbers stamped and none of my other post 70’s J frames do. I need to take a look at my 29-2 now.

 

[snw19_357]

...My 66-2 post 1982 does not have the number behind the yoke...

I can't speak to the 625, it's a stainless N-frame, but your 66-2 is a 2.5" (or 3") and since those shipped with magnas that didn't cover the butt serial number, it's not in the yoke cut.
Your 29-2 will have the serial number stamped in the yoke cut. I though most N-frames did except for the M58, M520 and maybe a couple others, but they're not M19/66 so..

 

[michael1000]

1980 model 29-2 has the serial number in the cutout, as does my 19-5, circa 1986.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I pulled my 29-2 out of the safe to take a look and the SN is right there stamped in the crane cut. From the SN it was produced in 1980.

Thanks for the info.

 

[310Pilot]

I owned a gun shop in the 1970s, and sold a lot of new S&W revolvers. All of the guns that shipped with target stocks had serial numbers on the butt strap and in the yoke cutout, while those that normally shipped with Magna were not so marked in the yoke cutout, including 2.5" Model 66s and 2.5" Model 19s. An exception was 28s, which were serial numbered in both places, even though they normally shipped with magnas. I don't recall models with fixed sights in any frame size having serial numbers anywhere other than the butt.

 

[PeteC]

...All of the guns that shipped with target stocks had serial numbers on the butt strap and in the yoke cutout, while those that normally shipped with Magna were not so marked in the yoke cutout...

My Model 67, which I believe shipped in 1972 with SB Magnas, has the serial number in the yoke cutout, on the butt strap, AND on the back of the extractor star. The box is clearly marked "S", not "T".

My model 64 (fixed sights), ~'73-74 does NOT have the serial number in the yoke cutout, but it does have it on the back of the extractor and the butt.

So if I am following the logic here, IF a model shipped with Target stocks standard (Mod 66), OR IF Target stock were a factory option (Mod 67), THEN the s/n would be in the yoke cutout in addition to the butt... (??)


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[snw19_357]

For at least the Ks and Ns, I think it had more to do with the target sights (vs fixed) than the stocks. And round vs square butt.

 

[Skeet 028]

I sold a Nickle 19-4 RB 2 1/2 in to a friend on Saturday. It had Serial on the butt and behind the crane...It was also P&R. I bought a model 60 yesterday and serial was also in both places

 

[two-bit cowboy]

If we are talking about a 1970 or later S&W revolver, there are for certain two places on the frame itself where the serial number is stamped. One is on the bottom of the butt and one is on the frame flat which is naturally covered when the cylinder is closed -- but is obvious and easily seen when the cylinder is open.

Can we not agree on this?

I cannot agree.

The J-frames, specifically the Chiefs Specials and the Bodyguards, do not have the serial number stamped in the yoke cut until sometime in the 1990s.

There's one exception I know of. The U.S. Navy placed an order for round butt Chiefs with a lanyard ring in 1977. The J-frame's tiny butt did not allow for the serial number to be stamped there due to the lanyard ring so S&W stamped it in the yoke cut.

 

[SS336]

Interesting, I have a M19-3 2 1/2” round butt from 1970 and a M10-5 4” square butt from 1976 that do NOT have a serial number stamped on the frame behind the crane.
On the other hand, my other revolvers of the same approximate time frame do. Including a 27-2 from 1974.
Like I said interesting. Can’t see any rhyme or reason

 

[JP@AK]

And, as had been mentioned above, the 2 1/2" Combat Magnum (round butt) did not have the serial number in the yoke cut.