Numbers stamped on Stocks

[ezb57]

What do we know about the numbers found inside the stocks?
Im pretty familiar with the 6-digit system but newer grips can have 4-digit numbers and ink stamped numbers.
Has anyone any knowledge what they mean?
Thanks in advance.

 

[s&wchad]

Ink date stamps are simply that...

Four digit embossed serial numbers are easy to verify. Either they match the gun, or they don't.
S&W never included serial # alpha characters on stocks, they only had the digits.

The style and washer type also offers a good clue.

If you have a specific set, post a photo and we'll provider more info.

 

[ezb57]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I was asking more about stocks that arent on a gun.
Some look to have 4-digit numbers. Is that just the last 4 of the serial number?
Also, I see some that have no numbers, perhaps they were replacements that were never installed at the factory?

Some have ink stamped numbers like this image. Are these part numbers?
Thanks in advance

 

[murphydog]

In the serial numbered stock era, there could be between 1-6 press-stamped digits to match the SN, usually on the inside of the right panel. Serial numbers were not in ink.

Some stocks were ink stamped with a production date or a part number. The image probably is a part number but I do not recall seeing this before.

 

[22hipower]

Serial numbers were not in ink.

True, as far as I know although lots of them were in pencil. This thread being in the 1980 and newer section I agree the numbers were stamped and not inked. In prior decades though, the 1920s and perhaps earlier and later, SNs were often in pencil. Sometimes they can still be read today, sometimes though we only see the "shadow" of what was once a legible number.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[murphydog]

True, as far as I know although lots of them were in pencil. This thread being in the 1980 and newer section I agree the numbers were stamped and not inked. In prior decades though, the 1920s and perhaps earlier and later, SNs were often in pencil. Sometimes they can still be read today, sometimes though we only see the "shadow" of what was once a legible number.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Correct, penciled SNs were up to the late 1920s (?), and all numbered stocks went away in the early 1980s.

 

[VaTom]

Per SCSW 4th Edition, page 493. “1929:Stock numbers were changed back to stamped #s”. No mention of when it was discontinued.

 

[Bald1]

I have a 2” 10-5 with silver medallion square magas. They are appropriate for the gun. They look original but there is no number at all on them.

 

[chief38]

I own a M586 that I purchased brand new in 1983. The inside of the target stocks have only a date stamped on them - no serial number. I also own a revolver that has the serial number written in pencil.

 

[VaTom]

I own a M586 that I purchased brand new in 1983. The inside of the target stocks have only a date stamped on them - no serial number. I also own a revolver that has the serial number written in pencil.

The stamping may have ended around 1981 when pinned barrels were discontinued. I have a 1980 Model 63 that has stamped numbers on the right stock. My models 15 and 10 made in 1970s have stamped numbers.

 

[jcelect]

I own a M586 that I purchased brand new in 1983. The inside of the target stocks have only a date stamped on them - no serial number. I also own a revolver that has the serial number written in pencil.

Target stocks were never serial number stamped because they were not fitted to a frame. The grips are oriented by the washer on top and the pin on the bottom of the frame.
jcelect