.357 Magnum question

[444 Magnum]

If a pistol was returned to the factory in the 1930's - 1950's for a barrel swap (shorter, longer, etc.), would S&W stamp the serial number of the pistol on the new barrel or would it remain unmarked?

Thanks.

 

[A10]

Interesting question. Without any actual knowledge but with a good sense of S&W's frugality, I'd say not unless the customer specifically requested it and was willing to pay extra. I'm sure someone with actual knowledge will chime in!

 

[22hipower]

Yes, I believe the new barrel would be stamped with the SN of the gun and there might be a <> stamp there too, perhaps other stamps as well. And on the butt there would probably be a service date such as 5.52 for May 1952. I have a commercial 1917 (1927) which was returned to the factory in 1949 for conversion to 45 Colt with target sights. Both the new cylinder and the new barrel are stamped with the SN and the frame has the date stamp although there is no <> stamp on the barrel. I do have others with the <> stamp and SN.

 

[Gun Relics]

Yes, I believe the new barrel would be stamped with the SN of the gun and there would be a <> stamp there too, perhaps other stamps as well. And on the butt there would probably be a service date such at 5.52 for May 1952. I have a commercial 1917 (1927) which was returned to the factory in 1949 for conversion to 45 Colt with target sights. Both the new cylinder and the new barrel are stamped with the SN and the frame has the date stamp although there is no <> stamp on the barrel. I do have others with the <> stamp and SN.

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Very helpful. I am investigating a swapped barrel gun right now for possible purchase.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I concur with 22hipower, and believe the replacement barrel would be stamped with a matching s/n. That may not be the case these days, but back in the day S&W was pretty meticulous about matching s/n's with the gun parts when revolvers were returned to the factory for rework. Even stocks were often marked so that those same stocks went back on the revolver that was being repaired.

 

[Engine49guy]

While my focus is not pre war I have two K frames made around 1969 (after soft fitting ended) that were factory refinished in the early 70's and both have added serial numbers on the barrel and cylinder face.
My understanding is that the reason those parts were serialized was that they were disassembled prior to renickel or blueing so those parts went back to that gun from the batches of parts.
If a revolver was returned for a rebarrel and the barrel was fit with a new barrel in the raw and the whole gun refinished Id think the barrel would be serial numbered , if a barrel was already blued or supplied by the customer and didnt request a refinish not sure there would be a need to serial number the barrel .
Its an interesting topic look forward to expert opinions.

 

[AZ Rebel]

I have a 70s K22 that had gone back to S&W in Nov of 79. The serial number minus the prefix was added to the barrel flat.