Very early Pre 25

[rgm36]

Just wondering what the earliest recorded serial number is for a
1955 .45 Target Model - Heavy Barrel .45 ACP. The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson puts the serial # range starting at
S143XXX. Mine is S1432XX making mine a mighty early one.

Does anybody Know?

 

[Doc44]

The lowest serial numbers are in the S130000 range, but I think the first ones shipped are in the S143000 range.

Bill

 

[wordsmith]

The earliest shipments are fairly well scattered about, some are in the S143K range with others in the S160-161K range. Those in the S130K group are mixed in from early to somewhat later on.

You should ask Roy for the ship date...

David

 

[samandglove1]

I have S1604xx and it shipped out in January 1956.

 

[DGT]

I have S143280 which shipped Oct. 5, 1955.

 

[DWalt]

S140,000 – S149,999……Late 1955 – Early 1956 (manufacture).
However, I have two on my list with nearby SNs which shipped in late 1956. As has often been stated, SNs often do not track well with shipping dates.