SERIAL NUMBERS

[ImNoHoople]

Through my 60 years of being a fan of all types of hand guns, I finally have to question, why does it seem, especially on S&W revolvers, that they treat the serial
numbers almost like an after thought? Hell, there's been serial numbers almost as long as there have been guns. I've had some revolvers where it was really a struggle
to open the gun up and jammed in there was a bunch of ill punched crowded numbers. Of course, the newer ones and the serials on the butt were and are pristine,
but model numbers and serial numbers are treated like a red headed step child. If they can roll on an impeccable logo, why would they skimp on a professional serial number?

 

[murphydog]

For many years they were stamped by hand, or with minimal mechanical equipment. The newer guns use laser technology, neater but not as quaint.

 

[Hawg Rider]

From what I understand, firearm serial numbers were not required by law until the Gun Control Act of 1968 (except for NFA of 1934 firearms like machine guns and SBRs). However, prior to 1968 many manufacturers stamped serial numbers on guns for their own inventory tracking, and thousands of inexpensive firearms were produced without them. S&W was one of those manufacturers that has stamped s/n's on their firearms since the late 1800s. In my modest collection, most of the revolvers' serial numbers are hand stamped on the frame in the yoke recess and the stamping is done quite well. I think that bunched up and jammed in numbers, or over stamps, are attributable to poor workmanship or schedule pressure and are the exception rather than the rule.

 

[AudieMurphy]

Ive seen on some older colt revolvers (even pythons)different size numbers or letters stamped in the crane area. Like the OP said, uneven and crammed together