Model 36-6 serial # prefix BPB?

[deanc]

Hi All,

I just picked up a nice model 36-7, and it seems a little unusual to me. It has the smooth ivory looking grips, and a smooth trigger that is a little wider than the grooved one you usually see. The serial number is BPB38xx. Is there any significance to the BPB prefix?

deanc

 

[deanc]

Hi All,

I just picked up a nice model 36-7, and it seems a little unusual to me. It has the smooth ivory looking grips, and a smooth trigger that is a little wider than the grooved one you usually see. The serial number is BPB38xx. Is there any significance to the BPB prefix?

deanc

 

[VM]

Do you have a box with a product code?
That will determine significance of revolver - generally not the prefixes. Your prefix dates somewhere summer/fall 1993

 

[s&wchad]

Starting in the early 1980's, S&W switched from a single letter prefix (that wasn't always a prefix) to a three letter prefix to allow for more combinations before they ran out of numbers (ATF requirements on serialization). As a general rule (there are always exceptions with S&W) the prefixes were issued in alphabetical order. "AAA" came before "AAB" and there were four digits (up to 9999) after the prefix.

BPB is listed as a 1993 ship date (maybe). Hope this helps. Don't know about the stocks.

 

[deanc]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I haven't ever had a mod 36 this new; I never noticed the 3 letter prefixes before. Ya learn something new every day!
I just ordered myself a copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Maybe I can find out more about a couple of other revolvers I've been wondering about.