box label question

[NordicG3K]

I've seen a number of these labels and I understand most of the codes, but what is the number up in the left hand corner above the model number?

 

[NordicG3K]

Nobody? Is there another section I should have posted this?

 

[murphydog]

Perhaps the number of guns (of this model, or in total) packaged that day? Or the ID number of the inspector? You'd need a period S & W factory worker to find out for certain.

 

[Aegis]

Could that be the julian date code??

 

[murphydog]

Could that be the julian date code??

No, that is the “Spec. Ord.” number, the 277th day of 1991.

 

[toddimusnimski]

The Julian Date code is the Spec Ord #1277. I'm not sure what that other number is either; it's always above the model number and is easy to confuse the two.

 

[snw19_357]

No idea but I agree with murphydog.

and then for a couple years in the early -90's that number or a similar number moved to the right of the Spec Ord number.

 

[murphydog]

I’ll copy the image and try to ask a prominent former S & W employee here about the meaning of the number.