date help please
- Thread starter driley
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Daniel
g8rb8 gave you the correct answer, but allow me to expand on it a bit.
After the war (1946), S&W began to use the K prefix serial numbers to designate all K frame models for which adjustable sights were standard. Initially, this included the K-22, the K-32 and the K-38. A bit later, it also included the Combat Masterpiece and the Combat Magnum lines. This practice lasted until about 1983, when the three-alpha, four digit numbers took over.
JP@AK gave you the correct answer, but allow me to expand on it a little.
S&W typically did runs of frames in groups. 50, 100, 200, 300 at a time depending on demand. SO, while it is possible to have a K 22 with serial number K 123456 and a K 38 with serial number K 123457, you won't find another K 22 with serial number K 123458.
In other words, they would run a batch of K 22's K 123456 through K 123500, and then possibly a batch of K 38's from K 123501 through K 123600. You won't find them randomly interspersed within the same serial number block.
Hopefully that makes as much sense in writing as it does in my head.
S&W typically did runs of frames in groups. 50, 100, 200, 300 at a time depending on demand. SO, while it is possible to have a K 22 with serial number K 123456 and a K 38 with serial number K 123457, you won't find another K 22 with serial number K 123458.
In other words, they would run a batch of K 22's K 123456 through K 123500, and then possibly a batch of K 38's from K 123501 through K 123600. You won't find them randomly interspersed within the same serial number block.
Hopefully that makes as much sense in writing as it does in my head.
JP@AK and JSR III,
Thank you for more eloquent and enlightening answers than I provided. I had suspected, but never had confirmed, about the batching of specific models as discussed by JSR III. It certainly makes sense. The tip of categorizing K prefix guns as generically representing adjustable sight models as mentioned by JP@AK is a good piece of information too. THANKS. Guys like you keep this site interesting.
DWalt
Member
"In other words, they would run a batch of K 22's K 123456 through K 123500, and then possibly a batch of K 38's from K 123501 through K 123600. You won't find them randomly interspersed within the same serial number block."
This is because there are some design differences between the frames of the K-22 (which is a rimfire) and the K-38 (which is a centerfire), even though both frames have the same physical dimensions.
The manufacturing SN range for 1952 is K136,691 – K175,637. I do not show any very close SNs to yours on my list, but enough to indicate that it was probably shipped during the latter part of 1952.
This is because there are some design differences between the frames of the K-22 (which is a rimfire) and the K-38 (which is a centerfire), even though both frames have the same physical dimensions.
The manufacturing SN range for 1952 is K136,691 – K175,637. I do not show any very close SNs to yours on my list, but enough to indicate that it was probably shipped during the latter part of 1952.
Last edited:
