Recently purchased two LE turn in 640-1. They are totally different. By different I mean the way they are marked by S&W. Example one has no marking on the left side of the barrel. On the right side Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum is spelled out but it is not deeply engraved as in the case of the other revolver. The # starts with CEU and the other BUA. The CEU also has a mim looking trigger although that could be a replacement. Example two gun has Smith and Wesson spelled out on the left side of the barrel with S&W 357 Magnum on the right. There is nothing in my S&W book that explains this so I thought I would come to those with more knowledge. The engraving on example one is much shallower than on example two
640-1 Question
- Thread starter rd97
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640-1
I have one of the "dash 1" variants of the 640. It has a 'BUB' prefix.
Mine has the roll stamped barrel that sounds like the second example in your post. "Smith & Wesson" on the left side, and " "S&W.357 MAGNUM" on the right side.
I'm not sure about the change from the stamping to the laser engraved lettering. The Catalog makes no mention of the change, only saying the 640-1 was introduced in 1995, and was the first J-frame gun chambered in .357 magnum.
Perhaps someone will come along and clear up the mystery.
I have one of the "dash 1" variants of the 640. It has a 'BUB' prefix.
Mine has the roll stamped barrel that sounds like the second example in your post. "Smith & Wesson" on the left side, and " "S&W.357 MAGNUM" on the right side.
I'm not sure about the change from the stamping to the laser engraved lettering. The Catalog makes no mention of the change, only saying the 640-1 was introduced in 1995, and was the first J-frame gun chambered in .357 magnum.
Perhaps someone will come along and clear up the mystery.
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Through the 640-1 run, I have seen three different barrel markings (and there may be more) - the two you describe, and the third with " S & W .357 Magnum" on the left and "Smith & Wesson" on the right, which I think is the latest/last version. I suspect the factory went with the current barrel style when production requests came in.
The laser etched version on the right barrel only was not very durable and did not last long in production.
The laser etched version on the right barrel only was not very durable and did not last long in production.
In baseball, you can never have enough pitching. In shooting, you can never have enough J-frames. Happy holidays.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
If it's any help my 640-1's serial number starts with CAJ and is roll marked. S.&W. 357 Magnum on right side of barrel and Smith & Wesson on left side of barrel.
