Need help to I. D. markings wit SN.

[nonferrous]

I have a 66-2, 3" with 3 serial numbers stamped on it.
The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the butt as usual, This is AHL with 4 digits.
On the crane, along with the 66-2, there is a 3 digit number with an 'X' on each end. There is also an E 24 stamped here.
Under the grip, stamped on the lower side of the frame is a 5 digit number. This has an 'E' inside of a circle on the left side of it and a 'J' inside of a triangle on the right. There is also a large 'S' that looks to be double stamped or stylized.
The grips look to be original issue, they are gloss wood with carved finger grooves and have S&W medallions. they have '449' hand written in ink inside each half.
I do not think that the gun has been fooled with, the only sign that it has ever been fired is an almost invisible turn ring on the cylinder.
The trigger is very smooth and crisp.
Thanks in advance.

 

[SAFireman]

The serial number is on the butt. The other numbers (other than the model) have no meaning outside of the factory - they are fitters marks.

 

[gunnails]

Typically, only the 66-2 and the serial # on the butt mean anything to anyone out side the factory. The other numbers and letters referred to as assembly numbers and are used to keep the frame, cylinder, crane etc. together as they are all hand fitted together during the assembly process as it is not till after the gun is complete that it is given a serial number.

Stocks are sometimes number to the gun with the serial number written or stamped on the right grip panel, but they stopped that sometime back.

Iffin the gun is returned to the factory for work they will usually stamp a date code on the left side of the grip frame.

So all those extra numbers on your gun probably mean nothing at this point.

But I must say a 66-2, 3" is a heck of a gat.

 

[murphydog]

As in your other thread - assembler's, fitter's or inspector's stamps. If you see one of the numbers repeated on the frame and yoke it may have been what is called an assembly number as detailed above.

The rule here is, two threads and you have to post photos...hope this is helpful.

 

[Arkiepup]

Odd Stamping

Would these numbers stamped on the crane of my 3 inch 66-2 just above the serial number fit into this catagory of meaningless factory numbers? No other Smith I own has this type of stamping, only the model number and serial number.

 

[k22fan]

Regardless of vintage all S&W hand ejectors have an assembly number stamped on their yoke, (crane is Colt's name for the part), side plate and frame. Their purpose, as previously posted, is to keep those two fitted parts together with the frame before a serial number is added. Before the space was given over to model numbers the frame's assembly number was stamped below the barrel threads where it is covered by the yoke while the cylinder is closed. Approximately 1958 it was moved to the left side of the grip frame.

Arkiepup,
It looks like your assembly number is 812. You can verify that by looking for the same number on the inside of the side plate and left side of the grip frame.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The frame, yoke, and sideplate are fitted together early in the assembly/manufacturing process. At some point there is a step where they go their separate ways. But they come back together for finial assembly. This is why a common assembly number marking is needed.

On stainless guns you will often find parts inscribed with a single letter "S". For example, on a stainless barrel right in front of the locking-bolt in the ejector channel. The frame has one, as the OP noted. Many small parts will have an "S", if you look. This is because stainless parts and un-blued carbon steel parts look about the same. The "S" is used to differentiate between the two, and to prevent any mix-ups at the factory.

 

[nonferrous]

Thanks again for all the info. With a little luck we will never find out everything with regard to S&W details, so that there will always be a quest.
Thanks