I tried....

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to look up a manufactured date in my 4th edition of Smith & Wesson. I "found" this revolver in back of my safe, a 4th change S&W with 5 inch barrel. The sn range is from 1895 to 1909 in the book. How do I narrow it down closer? The sn: 406843 is sort of maybe in the middle- earlier range. Any closer gueses?
 
496843...?

My guess is Spring/summer 1922.
 
Oops, typo. My guess is the same. I meant to type 406843, sorry.
 
One has to remember that the books only give you a range and when someone has a close number and offers a possible date it is only a WAG. We have seen numerous times when a nearby gun shipped in say 1920 but the gun you are asking about that is 5 numbers away shipped in 1932.

As other have said, if you want the actual date for the factory shipping records you have two options. Join the S&WCA for $60 and you can ask Dr. Jinks for a shipping date or you can send for a historical letter and get the exact date and background on the gun and where it shipped and in what configuration.

It really depends on how accurate and complete you desire the information. If you join the S&WCA you get the letter for a reduced rate and you get to ask Dr. Jinks for shipping dates on 52 guns a year at the rate of one per week maximum.
 
You might get closer with a few pictures. S&W did not ship in serial number order, so comparing ship dates is only an approximation.

Physical configuration helps to estimate manufacture year. There was an order in 1922 to add MADE IN USA to the right side of the frame under the cylinder, Another order in 1927 to change the mushroom shaped ejector rod knob to barrel shaped. Medium S&W logo is found on the right side of revolver on sideplate through 1916. "No-Logo" on guns from 1917 to mid-1920, and small logo on left side ran from 1920 to 1936.
 
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