Can anyone tell me the serial numbers for a 1986 686?
- Thread starter Jmg11986
- Start date
FlyFish
Member
Well, the -1 part is correct - the 686-1 was introduced in 1986 and superseded by he 686-2 in 1987. As for the SN part, it's not so simple. According to SCSW 4th Ed., the letter prefixes used in 1986 start at ACE and end at AVT. Unfortunately, S&W did not assign SNs in a strict sequence, so that range overlaps with SN prefixes used in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. There appear to be about two dozen prefixes that may have only been used in 1986, so you could get a copy of the book and focus only on those, but if it were me I'd just look for a -1 and call it good.
You can help yourself get closer to your goal by doing a deep dive search for original S&W boxes with intact end labels.
Every example you can find will show a four digit date code under the heading that says SPEC ORDER. The first digit is the last digit of the year. So if you see a picture of a S&W 686 that is a no-dash or a dash-1, and the SPEC ORDER number has a 6 for the first digit, that is a 1986 produced revolver.
So when you see that end label, make a note of the three digit letter prefix of the revolver’s serial number.
You can use a google image search, a S&W forum search and a Gunbroker search and any other place you can think of.
I also wish it were as easy as us just giving you the letters, but S&W did not make it quite so easy.
Every example you can find will show a four digit date code under the heading that says SPEC ORDER. The first digit is the last digit of the year. So if you see a picture of a S&W 686 that is a no-dash or a dash-1, and the SPEC ORDER number has a 6 for the first digit, that is a 1986 produced revolver.
So when you see that end label, make a note of the three digit letter prefix of the revolver’s serial number.
You can use a google image search, a S&W forum search and a Gunbroker search and any other place you can think of.
I also wish it were as easy as us just giving you the letters, but S&W did not make it quite so easy.
danalex
SWCA Member
Rare model just for Europe
1911-10MM
Member
Here is a box label from a 686 from 1986
With that information, you can look for one from your exact birthday...You might get lucky...
...Ben
HorizontalMike
US Veteran
I have two 4in 686ND with the Prefix "AUE0xxx and AUE9xxx". Both product codes are 4" 104203 S TS RR WO, 1984-86 41oz.
(AKA, 4", Stainless Steel, Target Sights, Red Ramp, White Outline)
I bought the AUE9xxx in August 1986, and it left the factory on May 21, 1986. I am going to go out on a limb here, but feel any 686s with AUxxxxx (the first two letters) are from 1986, if they match the above product code.
The AUE0xxx would be earlier, numerically 8,475 serial numbers earlier.
(AKA, 4", Stainless Steel, Target Sights, Red Ramp, White Outline)
I bought the AUE9xxx in August 1986, and it left the factory on May 21, 1986. I am going to go out on a limb here, but feel any 686s with AUxxxxx (the first two letters) are from 1986, if they match the above product code.
The AUE0xxx would be earlier, numerically 8,475 serial numbers earlier.
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HorizontalMike
US Veteran
Here is a box label from a 686 from 1986
Very interesting...
Do you have this revolver? I ask, because I only have the 3rd Edition of the S&W Standard Catalog and that seems to point to:104222 4" S TS RR WO, 1987-95
BTW, SB (square butt), TS (target sights/grips), appear to be used interchangeably. If you still have the revolver and can confirm its clothing/features, that would make yours one of the earliest 104222 product code, that I have seen.
The "AU" prefix definitely fits.
1911-10MM
Member
Hello
No I do not have this revolver, I have a large file that I save images of box labels for reference material.
No I do not have this revolver, I have a large file that I save images of box labels for reference material.
Very interesting...
104222 4" S TS RR WO, 1987-95
BTW, SB (square butt), TS (target sights/grips), appear to be used interchangeably. If you still have the revolver and can confirm its clothing/features, that would make yours one of the earliest 104222 product code, that I have seen.
The "AU" prefix definitely fits.
press-1-for-english
Member
Greetings from NJ.
I Have a 686 no dash, 4" bbl. M marked in crane.
Serial number is AHS56XX.
I know it was made between 1981-85 since it is a no dash.
Can anyone be more specific as to it's year of shipping/manufacture?
Thank you very much in advance.
I Have a 686 no dash, 4" bbl. M marked in crane.
Serial number is AHS56XX.
I know it was made between 1981-85 since it is a no dash.
Can anyone be more specific as to it's year of shipping/manufacture?
Thank you very much in advance.
press-1-for-english
Member
Thank you Sevens!
gmiller0737
Member
My 2.5" 686 Bought New in 1986 S/N starts with AYA no idea on actual manufacture date
