Question about S&W model numbers

[twaits]

I know about the 1, 1 1/2, 2 and 3. What about models 4-9?
Do the numbers just skip from 3-10 then go up after the model 10?
I don't know why I didn't think of this until today.

 

[cflier]

Hello twaits,

1, 1/2, 2, and 3 refer to the frame size of the gun. When S&W went to hand ejector production the frames were given a letter designation, I,K N and M. in the late 50s model numbers were assigned and had nothing to do with frame size.

Mark

 

[twaits]

Hello twaits,

1, 1/2, 2, and 3 refer to the frame size of the gun. When S&W went to hand ejector production the frames were given a letter designation, I,K N and M. in the late 50s model numbers were assigned and had nothing to do with frame size.

Mark

Okay, I see now. Thanks for the clarification. I forgot that the model numbers weren't used until the late '50s.

 

[crossv]

S&W Display including Model 4

Actually a couple of us had a display that included the Model 4 at the 2004 SWCA meeting. See photo.

Sorry, I couldn't resist posting in this thread. Actually the display referred to two "Old Models" - John Wilson SWCA #4 and Dr. John Hall SWCA #31.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I think there was a method to the madness when assigning model numbers. It seems that any model from 10-19 are K frames. Any model in the 20s are N frames and from 30-38 J frames. The models that came out after 1957 don't seem to have much rhyme or reason to their number selection, until the 600 numbers for the stainless models was used.

It's just something I have observed.

 

[cflier]

You're right nutsforsmiths there was an organized assignment of numbers at first. But, as in most things Smith & Wesson it isn't that simple. Models 30 through 34 started out as I Frame or Improved I frame guns. Some were I frames for 3 or 4 years before changing to J frame production. Of course that is also an organized assignment of model numbers.

Mark