I just ordered the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" from Amazon. I believe this has production year to serial number tables - if so I'll answer any serial number questions on this thread when it is delivered.
The catalog is pretty light on 3rd gen pistols in my opinion, however, I did learn a few things.
1) On modern serial numbers, which I'm guessing 3rd gens fall into, the box label includes a Julian date. My 1006 (TET21xx) has a Julian date of 0071 which is March 12th 1990.
2) All 1006 were produced betwen 1990-1993, however there was a mention that it was marketed in 1989-1990.
3) Serial number prefixes between 1989 - 1993 for all products:
1989: TED
Apr. 1990: TEP - TFA (intro serial number for 1006 TENxxxx)
1989-1990: TFJ1141-TFP0372
1990: TFN
1991: TFR-TFS
1991: THA1016-TVC7046
1993: TZU
I don't know where 1992 falls, maybe there is a typo in the book and the second 1991 listed is suppose to be 1992.
This would mean my 1006 is an April 1990 production, but the Julian date is March... Hmmm.
4) For the 1006 there were 5 product codes, mine is 104800.
104800 = 1990-1991 - 2nd trigger guard, Adjustable sights
105004 = 1990-1991 - 2nd trigger guard, Fixed sights
105005 = 1990-1991 - 2nd trigger guard, Fixed sights (maybe novak?)
108234 = 1992-1993 - 3rd trigger guard, Adjustable sights
108237 = 1992-1993 - 3rd trigger guard, Fixed sights
Serial numbers in this thread:
TFJ1016 = doesn't match the standard catalog.
TEV12xx = April 1990
TEV0536 = April 1990
TFF9779 = doesn't match the standard catalog.
TESxxxx = April 1990
TFB7xxx = doesn't match the standard catalog.
It looks like the standard catalog is incomplete, especially when half the serial numbers in this thread are not included. Maybe I'm reading it wrong.