Model 1- 2nd Issue and Model 2 Army assembly ID question

[Kaiserhof]

I have the fortune of owning a Model 1, 2nd Issue and Model 2 Army, however, I have the miss-fortune of both of them having confusing assembly IDs.

The Model 2 has a "* 9" or is is a "6 *"?

The Model 1 has "H89" or is it "68H?

Obviously, it all depends on how you look at it [no pun intended].

See pictures below.

 

[opoefc]

You can tell which way is up by comparing the same codes on the barrel & frame. Ed.

 

[Kaiserhof]

Assembly ID #

Thanks Ed.

I thought of that, but again, it depends how you hold the pistol to view the barrel and/or frame.

If I hold each revolver in my right hand and flip from the barrel view to the frame view, the IDs are "*9" and "69 H" respectively. That what appears to be most logical. I will go with that unless there is better answer.

I thought maybe there was a standard position for viewing these numbers.

FYI, the ID is on the left side of Model 2 frame and on the right side of the Model 1 frame.

 

[JSR III]

It has been my experience that the letter precedes the number. There was a recent thread about a Model 2 Army bearing serial number 10. (Should be still on page 1) That gun had the assembly number FF 10 and left no room for orientation errors.

There are also many S&W serial numbers that can be read from front to back as well as back to front but IIRC, the gun is usually held with the butt to the left and the barrel to the right to read the serial number in the correct way.

With cylinders, the serial number was always applied with the center of the cylinder below the number and the number above at 12 o'clock. This is especially important with numeric only serial numbers. With the letter prefix serial numbers like K 1234546, the K or letter helps to orient the cylinder for correct reading.

 

[glowe]

James, I believe the consensus on those stampings are the assembly code was originally FF and sometime later the 10 was added, so not a good example.

My Model 2 revolvers are deciphered as follows:

Barrel, the assembly code should be read from the left side.
Cylinder, the code is stamped above the center pin, so read the code placing the pin under the number.
Butt-frame, on the left rear corner of the butt stock read the code from holding the frame in an upright position.

 

[Kaiserhof]

Thank you JSRIII and glowe,

Based on your input, I reverse my conclusion in Post #3.

The Model 2 ID would be "6" followed by a punch mark or period and the Model 1 would be "H89"