Serial number stamping question

[Smith &W]

Hey guys, Can anyone give me an idea when S&W quit stamping the cylinder with the serial number ? A friend has a 4 screw 29 that does not have the cylinder stamp and wonders if that is correct. Thanks a lot.

 

[vrichard]

Don`t know for sure ,but I have a 34-1 (1972) has the serial # on the face of the cyl.
Dick

 

[Doc44]

S&W stopped routinely stamping the butt serial number on the cylinder and on the barrel when they eliminated the Soft Fitting Department in May 1957.

Bill

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Serial number stamping

We have seen many guns with much later dates with serial numbers stamped on the rear face of the ratchet