Serial number question…

[javbike]

What does it mean when my smith and Wesson j frame has a cen in the front of the number ?

 

[s&wchad]

S&W adopted a new serial number format in the early 1980's that had a 3 letter prefix followed by 4 numbers (Eg. AAA0123).

I would guess serial # CEN5143 (found in another post you made) dates to sometime around 2000. List the model number of your gun and include any engineering change (Eg. 442-1) and someone may be able to narrow it down. Photos would also help.

These links may be helpful (click on them):

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures

 

[VaTom]

S&W adopted a new serial number format in the early 1980's that had a 3 letter prefix followed by 4 numbers (Eg. AAA0123).

I would guess serial # CEN5143 (found in another post you made) dates to sometime around 2000. List the model number of your gun and include any engineering change (Eg. 442-1) and someone may be able to narrow it down. Photos would also help.

These links may be helpful (click on them):

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures

Checked SCSW 4th Edition, page 491, "Triple Alpha" serial numbers beginning with "CE" date to 2000 and 2001

 

[two-bit cowboy]

javbike -- welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

S&W made a run of its Model 640 in 1989 with the CEN prefix. It was out of alphabetical order in the three-letter, four-number serial number series, but it was significant because the 640 was the stainless steel spinoff of the 1952 Centennial model J-frame with an internal hammer.

S&W celebrated its 100th birthday in 1952 so that's why it named its new J-frame revolver the Centennial.