Who has the Centennial (pre-40) with the lowest serial number?
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rburg
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I've got #157 in nickel. Its been carried a bit, even by me. Its a nice gun.
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policerevolvercollector
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I don't have these two but they're in my database and I don't retain owner's names:
#104 The only Centennial shipped in December '52, the first year they were offered.
#171 was shipped on July 17, 1953
Good thread on this model:
A brief history of the Centennial revolvers
#104 The only Centennial shipped in December '52, the first year they were offered.
#171 was shipped on July 17, 1953
Good thread on this model:
A brief history of the Centennial revolvers
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OldSmithCollector
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I would post photos but dont know how, sorry.
I have several three digits, the lowest of which is #108.
The serials started at #104 (according to S&W letters). I always suspected they started at #100, because that would make sense being the 'Centennial' edition. Maybe they did make #100-103 but they were "consumed" or given as gifts? I'm still trying to find out.
I have several three digits, the lowest of which is #108.
The serials started at #104 (according to S&W letters). I always suspected they started at #100, because that would make sense being the 'Centennial' edition. Maybe they did make #100-103 but they were "consumed" or given as gifts? I'm still trying to find out.
I forget what my serial is, but I do know it is more than 3 digits.
Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk
Messer
Member
I know it's not the lowest #, but I've got SN: 272
It's still in my carry rotation!
It's still in my carry rotation!
This one certainly is not a contender for the low serial number trophy, but it is relatively early (likely shipped mid-1955) SN6726, and has aged better than I.
.... and with a touch of ivory elegance.....
.... and with a touch of ivory elegance.....
Here's my contribution to this thread: Not the lowest certainly at SN 1819, but it was a gift from S&W president Carl Helstrom to Remington Arms presidend C.K.Davis on Davis' retirement as president. Appears to be unfired but the mpo is dirty. Obtained from Davis' grand daughter.
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rjm6120
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Welcome to the forum.
The Centennial Model began with serial #1, SCSW 3rd ed., pg. 212.
Just for reference, it was the Model of 1953 New I frame .22/32s, the pre models 34 and 35, that began their new serial # range beginning with #101.
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Dr. Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson, 8th printing, August 1983, p. 231, states, "These revolvers were assigned a separate serial number series beginning at serial number 1."
OldSmithCollector
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Thanks for giving me work TheWiregrassGuy, I'm far too lazy to go look up how to post pictures on my own, but now I have no excuse...
Here is my #108
Here is my #108
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OldSmithCollector
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OldSmithCollector
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Centennial Serial Numbers
To my knowledge, #105 is the earliest one seen, at least in the last few decades that I have been able to research, in photos or with some proof. I have not heard back for sure if the Springfield museum might have an earlier one or not. If they have one, I would assume it is #100-104, or one of the airweights.
Here is a copy of the #105 S&W letter stating the serials start at #104, just so you can see the reference for my comments. I also have the books and your correct about what it states as well. Like most researchers, I have found discrepancies in the books, as well as the letters, so I dont assume either is gospel until I see the physical proof. Just take it for what it is. I have learned the Centennial information available seems pretty out of wack with what can be proven "in the wild".
Here is more detailed information from Mr. Jinks from back in 2012:
[FONT="]"There was only one .38 Centennial sold in 1952 and it was serial number 104. The production records indicate the following; November 1952 the factory finished 7 units all airweights, the first steel unit was finished in December 1952. In March 1953 the factory finished 8 units and full production began in April 1953 with a total production of 639 units. I hope that this helps. Roy"[/FONT]
So the Airweights were maybe assembled first but serialized farther down the line and if there were only 7 they might have been given as gifts or testers or just sold later. Centennials were very poor sellers in the beginning. The earliest Airweight I have seen is serial 4,047 but I didnt look very hard for those.
The rumor I always heard was the serials started at 100 because it was the 100 year revolver, and that to me makes sense and does track with what has been able to be proven with actual examples. I have no 'positive' proof of that, just an absence of proof to the contrary and I like the 'symmetry' of the idea.
If anyone has any proof of existing examples earlier than #104, please share.
To my knowledge, #105 is the earliest one seen, at least in the last few decades that I have been able to research, in photos or with some proof. I have not heard back for sure if the Springfield museum might have an earlier one or not. If they have one, I would assume it is #100-104, or one of the airweights.
Here is a copy of the #105 S&W letter stating the serials start at #104, just so you can see the reference for my comments. I also have the books and your correct about what it states as well. Like most researchers, I have found discrepancies in the books, as well as the letters, so I dont assume either is gospel until I see the physical proof. Just take it for what it is. I have learned the Centennial information available seems pretty out of wack with what can be proven "in the wild".
Here is more detailed information from Mr. Jinks from back in 2012:
[FONT="]"There was only one .38 Centennial sold in 1952 and it was serial number 104. The production records indicate the following; November 1952 the factory finished 7 units all airweights, the first steel unit was finished in December 1952. In March 1953 the factory finished 8 units and full production began in April 1953 with a total production of 639 units. I hope that this helps. Roy"[/FONT]
So the Airweights were maybe assembled first but serialized farther down the line and if there were only 7 they might have been given as gifts or testers or just sold later. Centennials were very poor sellers in the beginning. The earliest Airweight I have seen is serial 4,047 but I didnt look very hard for those.
The rumor I always heard was the serials started at 100 because it was the 100 year revolver, and that to me makes sense and does track with what has been able to be proven with actual examples. I have no 'positive' proof of that, just an absence of proof to the contrary and I like the 'symmetry' of the idea.
If anyone has any proof of existing examples earlier than #104, please share.
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