k22 model 17 question

[Timberpigeon]

i recently bought a model 17 no dash that dates to 1960 but in the SW book it states there was a model change to the 17-1 in 1959.

is this just a mis-stamp and, if so, was this type of error common?

Regards-

 

[digi-shots]

I've got a model 17-1 that shipped in January of 1962.

S&W didn't necessarily ship in serial number sequence... once the guns were finished they went to the "vault" and awaited shippment. Sometimes an early gun might have sat there a while before shipping.

Your model might have been manufactured in 1958, put in the vault and later shipped in 1960.

Hope this helps!

 

[dacoontz]

Just to prove Linda's point here's a 4 screw model marked 17 (no dash) that shipped in January 1964 that I recently posted about in the 61 to 80 section.

I am guessing it sat around longer because of the longer barrel.

 

[Timberpigeon]

17

but wouldn't the guns be stamped at time they are made before the are stored in the vault?

or, was the process to store blank frames and then stamp the serial numbers on before they are shipped?

 

[H Richard]

The guns were stamped when mfg. before they were put in the vault. There have bee cases of guns sitting in the vault for many years before being shipped. I believe one Mod 39 was lettered as shipped 12 or 13 years after it was mfg.

 

[PMRet]

Just to prove Linda's point here's a 4 screw model marked 17 (no dash) that shipped in January 1964 that I recently posted about in the 61 to 80 section.

I am guessing it sat around longer because of the longer barrel.

I have a similar theory regarding a couple of K-32's with serial numbers that fall smack in the middle of 1955 according to SCSW, but didn't ship until April and October 1956. Hard to believe now, but they were not very popular back then, and obviously sat around awhile before shipping.