Model 49 question

[AB33]

I have a model 49 blued, I believe its from 71-72, Ive looked through alot of posts on the 49 that have a J and five or six digits. My serial number has a floating J and only 4 digits. Am I correct with the year?
Thanks in advance,
Al

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have two M49's and they both start out with the letter A and two other letters
followed by four numbers.

Good luck in your search.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

You have it narrowed down pretty well.

Serial numbers in the "roving J series," according to S&W Historian Dr. Roy Jinks, began at 1J1 in 1970 and ran to 994J94 in 1973. I've seen Model 36 s/n 997J66.

Serial numbers contain the roving J and up to 5 numbers, with 1 to 3 numbers before the J and 1 to 4 numbers after it. 9J9999 precedes 10J1, 99J999 precedes 100J1, and so on.

 

[AB33]

Thanks Bob, I was getting nervous. All I've been seeing is floating J's with 5 or 6 digits. and thanks to Nevada Ed for responding.

 

[JP@AK]

I have two M49's and they both start out with the letter A and two other letters followed by four numbers.

The three alpha serial numbers started in 1983 on the J frame revolvers. From 1969 until 1983, they were in the J prefix sequence and prior to 1969, they had no prefix.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... All I've been seeing is floating J's with 5 or 6 digits.

After the roving J serial numbers in 1973 S&W continued the original J prefix serial numbers (J1 through J99999, 1969 & '70) beginning with J100000 in '73 and ending at J999999 in 1982.

The next series sort of continued the roving J, beginning at 1J00001 in 1982 and ending at 1J47502, according to Roy, in early 1983.

The only models included in all these J serial number series were Models 36, 37, 38, 49, and 50. Although the Model 60 was included in the original Chiefs Special and Bodyguard serial number series through '69 that model picked up the R prefix in '69 and ran through R332516, according to Roy, in 1983.

 

[JP@AK]

The next series sort of continued the roving J, beginning at 1J00001 in 1982 and ending at 1J47502, according to Roy, in early 1983.

Yes, but the thing to notice there is there were always a total of six numeric digits. In the '70 to '73 period, there could be as few as two digits.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Yes, but the thing to notice there is there were always a total of six numeric digits. In the '70 to '73 period, there could be as few as two digits.

Yes, Jack, that's why my original post said, "... with 1 to 3 numbers before the J and 1 to 4 numbers after it."

 

[JP@AK]

Yes, Jack, that's why my original post said, "... with 1 to 3 numbers before the J and 1 to 4 numbers after it."

Bob
I didn't write that post for you; I knew you would know it. It was intended to help clarify matters for the OP.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

It was intended to help clarify matters for the OP.

Your clarification sent me to my database and my calculator, Jack. Thanks!

It's the numbers geek in me.

If my math is correct...

There were 81 Chiefs/Bodyguards with the J and two numbers (e.g., 1J1, 9J1, etc.)

There were 1620 Chiefs/Bodyguards with the J and three numbers (e.g., 1J11, 9J99, 10J1, 99J1, etc.)

S&W made fewer than 278,000 Chiefs/Bodyguards in the 1970-'73 roving J series. Out of all those, my database includes 442.

I have not documented a J and two numbers serial number, and I have only one with a J and three numbers serial number in my database. I have 41 with the J and four digits. So nearly 90 percent of my database from that era comprises J and five digit serial numbers.

I list 35 in the 1Jxxxxx series from 1982/'83.

 

[chrisbroz]

Pre '66 Model 49

I've got a Mod 49 with an SN 340XXX. I's engraved (or etched) with 'New Berlin PD'...any idea of date of production???

 

[biku324]

'82 or '83 had at least one that is AEM****.

 

[murphydog]

I've got a Mod 49 with an SN 340XXX. I's engraved (or etched) with 'New Berlin PD'...any idea of date of production???

Bob (see above) is the local expert but I think 1964.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Alan's being too kind. I've simply amassed a great deal of information. The J-frame "Expert" is Hondo44 -- he's probably forgotten more about J-frames than I'll ever know.

The nearest Model 49 in my database, which I found on the Firearm Database on the S&W Collectors Association side of the forum, is a nickel one with serial number 340618. S&W shipped it in March 1965.

Chiefs Specials in that serial range shipped between April and September 1964.

 

[JP@AK]

Chiefs Specials in that serial range shipped between April and September 1964.

Yes. This one shipped in September, 1964. Serial number is 353801. Feel free to add it to your list, Bob.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Feel free to add it to your list, Bob.

Thanks Jack. I had the s/n on my list from when Dr. Jinks gave you the ship date. It's very nice to "see" it and document the details (i.e., square butt -- my favorite) and diamond grips. That's a dandy! Thanks again.