Pre 29 question

[bob in texas]

Found a pre 29 5 screw 6 1/2", my question is when did they stop shipping the 5 screw pre 29 ?
This one letters as shipping

Sept. 1958
serial # S1744xx

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Bob, "making" and "shipping" are different things. In 1956, the upper sideplate screw on N frames was ordered to be deleted. When S&W depleted its 5 screw frames is open for conjecture. They may have still been assembling and shipping them in 1958. More likely, the gun was completed and didn't clear inventory until 1958. There are several expert members who may have more precise information.

 

[crsides]

Most 5 screw frames were gone by the 160 thou serial number range. There was one run in the 170's that pops up now and then. By 180's it is all 4 screw. I would expect 174xxx to be a 4 screw.

 

[bob in texas]

pre 29

Thanks for the replies, as I posted it is lettered and shows shipping Sept 3,1958. I too thought the serial number was high due to my limited resources to research.

Bob

 

[Shrike6]

Most 5 screw frames were gone by the 160 thou serial number range. There was one run in the 170's that pops up now and then. By 180's it is all 4 screw. I would expect 174xxx to be a 4 screw.

My .357 pre-27 is serial # 173xxx was shipped Apr 16, 1958.
It's a 5 screw, and not stamped with a model number 27. There were, indeed some 5 screw units that were made before the 4 screw units, but for whatever reason, did not ship until later.
It's my opinion that these guns, not stamped with a model number, but having 5 screw frames, were completed before their ship dates. Or if they were built after 1956, would likely been stamped with a model number, as that is how their invoice reads.
As I have been told, by guys who know, that serial # does not always correlate with the date.

 

[Retired W4]

My 5 screw 44 mag shipped June 18, 1956. It has SN S130881. I know it is on the other end of the date curve for the 5 screw, but it just goes to show ya. Manufacture or even factory directives Vs. ship dates with various SN's can be confusing.

 

[Shrike6]

It would be interesting to know at what point in the process is the serial number stamped on the gun.