serial number question

[Jim_Sl]

I bought a 686-4 the other day and saw something that I thought was odd. The serial number on the frame in front of the cylinder looked like it was etched and not stamped. When I pulled the grips the numbers there also looked like they were etched and not stamped. All my other S&W have stamped serial numbers. Is this normal or should I be worried that someone changed the serial number.

Jim

 

[ken158]

Normal - no worries.

 

[Jim_Sl]

Thanks Ken. I appreciate the quick response. I had never seen that before and I was curious.

Jim

 

[murphydog]

Many S & W revolvers of that era had serial numbers that appeared to be applied with a laser in a dotted pattern. Later and current models are either laser engraved in a finer manner or etched as you observed.