Serial number check please.

[larryofcc]

Serial number check.
A friend bought a M10 # C440564 at a gun show and would like an idea of when it was shipped. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[C3Ranger]

SCSW 4th Edition says 1960.

 

[demkofour]

As per the 5th Edition, that should fall into 1960..

 

[Sevens]

I would push that maybe one year earlier and suggest 1959 ship date.

 

[larryofcc]

Thanks guys. It is appreciated. Big Larry

 

[JP@AK]

Larry

I have a large list of M&P and Model 10 actual ship dates. Here are a few that would be relevant to your friend's revolver:

C434170 August 1958 (not model marked)
C438181 August 1958 a Model 12
C438236 September 1958 a Model 10
C453053 April 1959 a Model 10
C453485 July 1959 a Model 10

Chances are good that C440564 shipped in 1959, but it might have shipped as early as 1958. Only a letter can tell you the exact date.

 

[five 0]

Jack
Can you give me a shipping date on C387726

 

[JP@AK]

Jack
Can you give me a shipping date on C387726

Not exactly. But here are two that are close, for estimation purposes.

C387406, a 5” M&P, shipped in April 1957
C388814, a 6” nickel plated unit, shipped in October 1957

I hope this helps.

 

[zonker5]

Keep in mind that the S&W Catalog dates are manufacture dates, not shipping dates. Guns might sit in the warehouse for years before being sent out and they did not leave in serial number order.

 

[JP@AK]

Keep in mind that the S&W Catalog dates are manufacture dates, not shipping dates. Guns might sit in the warehouse for years before being sent out and they did not leave in serial number order.

True enough, but that still leaves unanswered questions. The C prefix numbers and dates listed in the SCSW definitely do not reflect reality, even as "manufacturing" dates. We have known, actual ship dates that precede the dates shown.

What that really does is demonstrate what we have known for a long time. S&W did not assemble guns in serial order. Hence, lists of manufacture date are estimates only. They cannot be relied upon with impunity.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

S&W email [email protected]

I sent an email yesterday asking about it. Today I received the factory information for all my S&W guns.

 

[Sevens]

S&W email [email protected]

I sent an email yesterday asking about it. Today I received the factory information for all my S&W guns.

Most folks find that this source is solid for post-1980 revolvers and perhaps post 1983 semiautomatic pistols. For earlier guns, we have often found the folks answering phones/e-mail might be absolutely clueless about dates and frankly are often further confused about the mere existence of particular guns.

I’ve had conversations with field representatives, traveling as the face of the brand standing behind a “see, touch & feel” expo of their current line that twist up their face in confusion and mystery when you try to ask them about some of the different pistols made in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. “Unfamiliar with them” is a serious understatement in many cases.

 

[five 0]

Not exactly. But here are two that are close, for estimation purposes.

C387406, a 5” M&P, shipped in April 1957
C388814, a 6” nickel plated unit, shipped in October 1957

I hope this helps.

Thanks. I was guessing late 56 or early 57