S prefex what was it put on -frame size}

[walter o]

I have a question about a K frame revolver S/N S- 989833
I cant figure the age or what it is
38 S&W special
4"bbl.
ramp front sighr
notch rear sight
large logo onside plate ,1 line address forward of trigger guard
5 screw + main spring screw
inside it has flag type hammer block
hammer has old style (wide)SA fly
HELP i am confused with this

 

[Alk8944]

S serial number prefix applies to both K-frame and N-frame guns depending on period.

 

[alwslate]

I think from the mid 40s after the war to early 50s when the prefix was changed to the C prefix when S numbers reached one million. Checked my reference book and saw that the S prefix numbers reached the one million mark in 1948 and then the C prefix was used so your high number S prefix is probably 1948 production.

 

[mh51]

The one line address on the frame narrows it down. It was only used from about 1946-1948, and then it was changed to the 4 line address. The S prefix on the serial # means that it has hammer block safety designed during WWII.

 

[Muley Gil]

walter o, you have a .38 Military & Police revolver from the late 1940s. It is a K frame.

 

[DWalt]

You have an S-Series M&P, probably ca. 1947, could be late 1946. Usually referred to as a Postwar M&P. Those went up to about S991xxx. As mentioned, the S refers to the improved hammer drop safety which dates from very early 1945, but those were not sold on the civilian market until early 1946.

 

[murphydog]

The S was a serial number prefix, not a series. The last 10000 of these in the K frame (S990000 to 999999) were the first short action M & P revolvers, not easy to find.

S & W continued the S prefix N frames until 1967, reaching the early 300000s. They could have made nearly 500000 more without duplicating serial numbers with the K frames, but I believe due to GCA ‘68 they switched to the N prefix.

 

[chiefdave]

I have a question about a K frame revolver S/N S- 989833
I cant figure the age or what it is

I have S997575 that shipped in May 1948. I would guess yours is late 1947 or early 1948.

 

[walter o]

Thanks to all post. As usual members came through with help. With my limited knowledge i was lost on this gun

 

[kscharlie]

Walter O, you stated that your gun has a ramp front sight. It should have a half round front sight. I have serial # S985256 shipped in March 1948 with a 6" barrel. Other than barrel length, yours should look just like mine.

If you can, please give us a few pictures of yours.

 

[jcelect]

The S was a serial number prefix, not a series. The last 10000 of these in the K frame (S990000 to 999999) were the first short action M & P revolvers, not easy to find.

S & W continued the S prefix N frames until 1967, reaching the early 300000s. They could have made nearly 500000 more without duplicating serial numbers with the K frames, but I believe due to GCA ‘68 they switched to the N prefix.

In my database I have serial numbers of N frame guns that were shipped in mid to late 1969 with the S serial prefix. The last number with an S prefix was S333454.
jcelect

 

[Mike LaNier]

My K-22 Masterpiece, S216xxx, was made in 1954; I don't know when it was shipped. My N-frames (Models of 1950, aka "Pre-Number" models) all have S prefix serial numbers as well; made from 1950 to 1958, which fits in with your data base, jcelect. Good stuff! ML

 

[Muley Gil]

My K-22 Masterpiece, S216xxx, was made in 1954; I don't know when it was shipped. My N-frames (Models of 1950, aka "Pre-Number" models) all have S prefix serial numbers as well; made from 1950 to 1958, which fits in with your data base, jcelect. Good stuff! ML

Your K-22 should have a K prefix. Better check it again.

 

[DWalt]

My K-22 Masterpiece, S216xxx, was made in 1954; I don't know when it was shipped. My N-frames (Models of 1950, aka "Pre-Number" models) all have S prefix serial numbers as well; made from 1950 to 1958, which fits in with your data base, jcelect. Good stuff! ML

There were no K-Frame revolvers ever made having that S-prefix serial number.

 

[JP@AK]

K frame revolver S/N S989833 is a .38 Military & Police unit that most likely shipped in March or April 1948.

No N frame ever had an S prefix number that low.

 

[JP@AK]

There were no K-Frame revolvers ever made having that S-prefix serial number.

DWalt meant to say that no target sight K frame revolvers had the S prefix.

 

[Muley Gil]

DWalt meant to say that no target sight K frame revolvers had the S prefix.

No, Dwalt meant exactly what he said. No K frame revolver had THAT number. The S numbered K frames were all much higher, as they were part of the V serial number range.

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks, Gil. Of course! I missed the "that low" part.

K frame: S numbers finished the V, SV sequence.
N frame: S numbers continued the non-prefix prewar N frame sequence. All of those were much lower than those in the K frame S sequence.

BUT - please notice the quote I supplied from DWalt. That was lifted directly from his original post. I did not rewrite it.
Now it says, "No N frame ever had an S prefix number that low."
I believe he changed it after I quoted it. For some reason his post does not indicate an edit. A mystery.