Model 36 date of manufacture

[egbert]

Howdy!!

I've enjoyed the Forum for the last few years, but this is my first post.

My wife has a Model 36 with a 3-inch barrel. The serial # stamped on the yoke looks like this:

695x8
E6

I know that researching S&W serial numbers can be pretty difficult. I tried looking for this type of S/N on several forums and sources, but this one is a head scratcher ... didn't see anything even close to that "series."

Hoping the good folks on the Forum can help shed some light as to when this Model 36 was made. Thanks!

 

[pasound]

The serial number is on the bottom of the grip frame.
The numbers on the yoke are assembly numbers and only used by the factory. The frame may be stamped with the model number above the yoke, such as MOD. 36 or a MOD. 36-*, with the * being the version number.

 

[egbert]

That was a HUGE help, pasound! S/N starts with J725XXX, so it was made 1979-1980.

Thanks MUCH!!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Searching the database turned up a Model 36-1 serial number
J725389, and Smith & Wesson shipped it in May 1980. We don't
know the date of manufacture, and Smith & Wesson did not
produce or ship guns in serial number order so we use the ship
date as their birth date.