What does this mean?

[racoonbeast]

I have come across a 1950's era N frame Smith with the number 8 and the letter S stamped into the frame under the grips.

Does anyone know what this means?

 

[quinn]

Those are fitter's marks and have no meaning outside the factory as far as I know. The marks for later factory repair or refinish are different.

 

[s&wchad]

Those are fitter's marks and have no meaning outside the factory as far as I know. The marks for later factory repair or refinish are different.

That was my initial thought, but it may be a service department marking.

See this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...e-department-marks.html?568832=#post140155700

 

[JP@AK]

Aside from the markings you asked about, I notice something else in your photo. This revolver has the jig hole. I suspect the revolver was made before about 1956. I don't think I've seen the jig hole show up any later than that. Would you mind indicating the revolver's serial number? I'm informally keeping track of this matter out of curiosity. I have several revolvers with the jig hole and all of them are from c. 1948 to c. 1956.

 

[handejector]

The 8 means that gun was built, or was intended to be built in caliber 38 Special.
The S means it was sent to the Service Dept for some kind of service BEFORE the gun was ever shipped- most likely a redo of the finish on some or all of the gun.

 

[handejector]

Would you mind indicating the revolver's serial number? I'm informally keeping track of this matter out of curiosity. I have several revolvers with the jig hole and all of them are from c. 1948 to c. 1956.

Looks like S 107XXX

 

[Muley Gil]

The 8 means that gun was built, or was intended to be built in caliber 38 Special.
The S means it was sent to the Service Dept for some kind of service BEFORE the gun was ever shipped- most likely a redo of the finish on some or all of the gun.

Lee, did they (the factory) move the location of the caliber stamp over the years? Most of the ones I've seen have had the 4,5 or 8 up higher on the grip frame. Or was it random.

 

[handejector]

I have never seen the caliber stamp anywhere besides the left toe, right around where that 8 is.

 

[racoonbeast]

Lee is correct with the first three numbers of the serial numbers.

This is a .44 Special gun. From what I have read here so far it seems that this gun was sent to the service dept before it was shipped for some unspecified work. Could that have something to do with it ending up a 44 instead of a 38?

 

[handejector]

You need to tell us more about it, and pics would be good.
Are the barrel and cyl numbered to the gun?

 

[racoonbeast]

Barrel and cylinder serial numbers match. I am unable to provide pics of the gun. Sorry. I forgot to add that the serial number begins with "S" as did all guns in its era.

 

[bill-in-texas]

...I have several revolvers with the jig hole and all of them are from c. 1948 to c. 1956.

It's funny what you "miss" when you don't know what you're looking for.

Did all N-frames (& K-frames) of this period have this feature?

-Bill


Jig Hole on Model of 1950, Shipped July 6, 1955

 

[JP@AK]

Did all N-frames (& K-frames) of this period have this feature?

As far as I can tell, they did.