Model Numbers

[boykinlp]

I don't know the best place to post this, but since Model Numbers were assigned in 1957, I figured here. A friend of mine was looking at some of my guns today. I showed him some pre-model guns, as well as, some model guns. He asked me how they picked the different model numbers. I had never thought about it, and had no idea. I can kinda see how a Model 629 is basically a stainless steel Model 29. But, that is all I got!

I know someone on here can take me to school.
Larry

 

[murphydog]

Roy Jinks might have more insight or answered the question before, but here is my observation.

Models 10-19 were all K frames. Models 20-29 were all N frames. Models 30-38 were all I/J frames. Then the system goes haywire - 39, 41, 44 and 46 are semi-auto pistols, 40, 42, 43 and 49 more J frames, 45 and 48 are K frames.

I think they gave up any rationality at 50 - it seems every new model after that one just got the next number. Sort of.

 

[JP@AK]

What Alan said.

Plus, when it came to the stainless versions, the 6 for the first digit was standard. They started in the 60s, the first stainless revolver being the Model 60 Chiefs Special in 1965. Perhaps the first digit was stolen from the second digit of the Chiefs Special Model 36 (?). Anyway, from then on 6 meant stainless. 6 in front of 29, 6 in front of 86 (Model 586, starting in 1980 on the L frames), much later 617 for the stainless K-22, etc.

On the K frames they just started a new series: 64, 65, 66, 67, etc.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Yep, I think that murphydog is on the right track. But then throw in the .41 Magnum models (57, 58, 657). How did they get those numbers? Since there was no more room in the N-frame series (Models 20-29), they had to completely jump over all the previous model numbers.

 

[Alk8944]

It isn't really too difficult, model numbers were assigned, basically, sequentially. They had nothing to do with order that the various guns that were then currently cataloged had been introduced. The fixed sight K-Frames were first, starting with the M&P as model 10. Then came model numbers 11, 12. Next were the K-Target guns, models 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Then numbers skip to the fixed sight N-Frames beginning with the Model 20, 21, 22, and 23, and finally the N-Target models 24, 25, 27, 28, 29. From this point numbering seems to be somewhat arbitrary with models like the 45 being the odd-out.


It seems like some numbers were reserved skipped for future models like the Model 13 that is a fixed sight K-Frame.


The only semi-automatic at the time, the named S&W Automatic, apparently was assigned model 39.


So, there is some logical explanation based on simply sequential numbers for pre-existing models as of 1957. After 1957 is when the numbering went off the rails, particularly with the second generation automatics, which don't seem to follow any pattern at all.

 

[SixStringer]

I was going to post today asking about model numbers, as I couldn't detect a pattern, no rhyme nor reason, but a search brought me here first.
IMO opinion this thread should be stickied. The preceding "6" in model numbers meaning stainless steel is definitely interesting!