Model 30-1 S/N Question

[AJ]

Bought a Model 30-1 yesterday at the local gun show. Nothing to rave about it is a truck gun pure and simple. Probably will go in my pocket during shorts & t-shirt weather. My question is the S/N is H23238. I looked in the Standard Catalog of S&W (2nd Edition) that I have and I do not see any S/N for the Model 30's that start with an H. Also the ones listed are six digit numerical, not five like I have. What am I not seeing?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Maybe you need to update to the 4th Edition:

H Serial Prefix
Models: 30, 31,
1969-1970 H00001-H30001

 

[AJ]

Maybe you need to update to the 4th Edition:

Thank you very much!

Probably, but I am cheap! Have at least 70 reference books on guns, bayonets & knives and equipment. Buying them can make you go broke!!

 

[Green Frog]

Thank you very much!

Probably, but I am cheap! Have at least 7 reference books on guns, bayonets & knives and equipment. Buying them can make you go broke!!

Reference books on guns can be the cheapest investment you can make. Nobody knows everything about everything, so knowledge about your particular interest puts you at an advantage over your buying competition and frequently over the seller as well. Also, you don't have to believe their story because you are armed with the facts! Seven reference books? I haven't counted lately, but my gun library has to be well over 100 books.

Froggie

 

[AJ]

Reference books on guns can be the cheapest investment you can make. Nobody knows everything about everything, so knowledge about your particular interest puts you at an advantage over your buying competition and frequently over the seller as well. Also, you don't have to believe their story because you are armed with the facts! Seven reference books? I haven't counted lately, but my gun library has to be well over 100 books.

Froggie

Froggie,

My bad, should have read 70. It maybe more have not really counted.

AJ

 

[Muley Gil]

The 3rd edition shows H161201 & up starting in 1983.

 

[AJ]

The 3rd edition shows H161201 & up starting in 1983.

My book says production ended in 1976.

 

[Hondo44]

Production did end for the Model 30-1 .32 Hand Ejector in 1976.

However, also included in the same H prefix serial range is the Model 31-1 .32 Regulation Police (square butt) of which production didn't end until 1991.

 

[Muley Gil]

AJ,

Is this a round butt or a square butt?

 

[AJ]

AJ,

Is this a round butt or a square butt?

Round Butt

 

[Muley Gil]

Round Butt

It may have been an old frame that had never been serial number stamped.

 

[Hondo44]

It may have been an old frame that had never been serial number stamped.

I don't understand. The OP has the serial #.

 

[jcelect]

30-1

This model started life as a 32 Hand Ejector RB built on the I frame. In 1957 it was called the model 30 and in 1960 it made the change to the J frame. This change is identified by the -1. The 1968 Gun Control Act required every gun manufactured to have its own serial number. S&W placed a letter in front of the serial numbers in all models. In 1969 the model 30-1 started at H1.
The models 30-1, RB, and 31-1, SB, were all numbered in the same H prefix serial numbering system. This is the only time S&W made a model change for a change in the butt configuration.
jcelect

 

[Hondo44]

They did the same with the .38 S&W Hand Ejector/Terrier (Model 32 rd butt) and .38 S&W Regulation Police (sq butt model 33).

 

[Muley Gil]

I don't understand. The OP has the serial #.

I guess I wasn't clear. I was surmising that this revolver was built on a left-over round butt frame that wasn't serial number stamped until it was built, years after the Model 30 was discontinued.

 

[Hondo44]

I would not discount the possibility. But his gun numbers to 1970, 6 years before discontinuence of the model 30-1.

 

[AJ]

I would not discount the possibility. But his gun numbers to 1970, 6 years before discontinuence of the model 30-1.

I am a pushover for older guns that have been mistreated. Bought a Colt made in 1916 earlier in the week.

 

[Muley Gil]

I would not discount the possibility. But his gun numbers to 1970, 6 years before discontinuence of the model 30-1.

I guess I was seeing too many digits.

Need to get new glasses!

 

[AJ]

I guess I was seeing too many digits.

Need to get new glasses!

Me too! Let's see buy a new gun or buy glasses?