640 Centennial

[artcp391]

I have an older 640 Centennial, serial no. CEN1976; does
anyone know its date of manufacture?

 

[P&R Fan]

The catalog puts it's birth sometime in 2000.
Welcome to the forum from Iowa.

 

[PMRet]

The very first run of 640's had a serial number prefix of CEN. They were also marked "Tested for +P+" on the frame inside the cylinder window. Here's mine.

 

[artcp391]

Reply to P@R Fan

Thanks for the reply but I was wondering what catalog
you were referencing since I bought this gun in the Early
90s.

 

[P&R Fan]

I was referencing the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Supica and Nahas, 3rd edition. Most of us on here refer to it in response to questions like yours. You can find it online I'm sure, but I have seen it at most of the major book stores for somewhere in the neighborhood of $40. It is a wealth of information on anything S@W and I highly recommend it.

 

[Alk8944]

P@R Fan,

I just have to ask. The @ symbol means "at", not "and". The &, ampersand, means "and", as in Smith & Wesson. Why do you do this?

 

[PMRet]

Thanks for the reply but I was wondering what catalog
you were referencing since I bought this gun in the Early
90s.

Your gun was most likely made in 1989 or 1990. While the serial numbering system of 3 letters followed by 4 numbers (AAA1234, etc.) in the "All Other Revolver Models" section on page 400 of the SCSW would ordinarily indicate a date of 2000, the early 640's were an exception to the rule. According to the book, the original 640's in .38 Special were produced from 1989 - 1996. On page 263, in the paragraph entitled "Model 640: .38 Centennial Stainless", the final sentence reads "Early production guns reported with serial numbers prefixed CEN." As stated previously, these early guns were also marked "Tested For +P+" on the frame in the cylinder window.

 

[paco04]

I purchased my 640 CEN11xx in April 1990, so your info must be correct PMRet. Thanks

 

[artcp391]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I contacted S&W and
they said the gun was manufactured in Feb. 1990.