I have two model 15's. One has a s/n of 3K192 and the other 3K2025. i am used to seeing serial numbers containing 5 or more numbers and am curious about these two especially the first. When were they shipped/
Model 15 s/n question
- Thread starter fourb20
- Start date
They both shipped in the same year - - 1971.
Guy
Guy
Yes. When S&W started putting a digit in front of the K in 1970, each sequence started with xK1 and went on up to xK99999. However, each sequence wasn't necessarily used up on one year. Sometimes two or more serial sequences were being used in the same year and often there were overlaps from one year to the next.
In the case of the 3K numbers, they spanned two years: 1971 and 1972. The break came at about 3K31000. It should be noted that 1K and 2K numbers were being used in 1971 as well. The 1K numbers started in 1970 and were used up in 1971. The break came at about 1K39500. 2K numbers also started in 1970 and spanned three years, 1970-1972, with the breaks coming at about 2K22000 at the end of 1970 and about 2K56000 at the end of 1971.
It is absolutely a myth that S&W serial numbers were used in order. Blocks of numbers were assigned to various models and production numbers within each model varied from year to year. So you had different sequences being used at approximately the same time (at least within the same year).
That is why you cannot look at a particular serial number within, say, the 3K numbers, find the midpoint and assume the gun was assembled in June. Without direct access to the production logs (which almost no one in the world does - they are privately held) no one can guess a production month based on a serial number. A letter from Roy giving the ship date is the best you will ever do.
Always remember that the K numbers given in the Standard Catalog are approximations and don't always reflect reality.
OP
Thanks to both of you for the information. It is not easy to follow or understand all the aspects of collecting S&W.
