reading s&w serial numbers

[movie zombie]

sometime back on a now not to be found website [at least i can't find it again] i found an explanation as to how to decode the serial number on one's revolver to identify the model number, barrel length, year of manufacture, etc. i have repeatedly tried to find that website again and of course now i can't. anyone know where i can get that info?

i actually know the model number and barrel length so that part was easy....but i'd like to decode the rest of the serial number.

movie zombie

[ar15barrels]

i actually know the model number and barrel length so that part was easy....but i'd like to decode the rest of the serial number.

The rest of the serial number is, get this, the serial number.

There are probably lists that will tell you the year it was made, but beyond that, there is not anything else good to be learned by those numbers.

[1911su16b870]

If any one finds a web link on S&W model numbers/serial numbers for date codes please post it here on calguns. The best I've found is Jim Supica's S&W book which has an appendix which tabulates this info.

[movie zombie]

update

well, i'm beginning to think the website where i read that the serial number could be decoded was spouting erroneous information! folks over at a smith and wesson forum gave me a contact name at s&w.....i just got off the phone with him. he says my s&w 63 is probably late 1970's but he's w/o power right now and can't look it up for me. he also says the 463 in my serial number does not signify 4 inch barrel model 63 [which it is] and that the serial number can't be decoded as was described as i was led to believe.

movie zombie

[golfrj]

I believe in the post war revolver section of the S&W Forum FAQ there is a chart showing dates of manufacture by S/N and changes in Models.. Jim

[ar15barrels]

well, i'm beginning to think the website where i read that the serial number could be decoded was spouting erroneous information!

Exactly.
The model number is stamped next to the serial number when you have the cylinder open.
The barrel length is evident when compared to a ruler.

[movie zombie]

Exactly.
The model number is stamped next to the serial number when you have the cylinder open.
The barrel length is evident when compared to a ruler.

not on my model 63. the serial number is located under the grip on the bottom of the metal heel and only visible if i remove the rubber grips which cover the metal heel.

as stated, i know the barrel length is a 4 inch....i've only been trying to make sense of the serial number and i now know there is nothing to make sense of.

movie zombie

[QuarterBoreGunner]

See if this helps; S&W revolver serial number info from the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog. PDF here.

[1911su16b870]

See if this helps; S&W revolver serial number info from the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog. PDF here.

Thanks QuaterBoreGunner, that is the exact same appendix in Supica's book.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Well that's where I scanned it from. I needed it in a handy form for determining the manufacture date for online auctions.

[BigDogatPlay]

The serial number is the serial number. Don't believe Smith ever built any logic into them at all. As far as model numbers, what they stand for and the changes reflected by "dash" numbers there is an online reference at Handloads.com that I've used for ages.

When they went to three digit model numbers the first digit generally connoted the metal of the frame; 4 for alloy, 5 for carbon steel, 6 for stainless. The four digit model numbers in semi-autos have some meaning built into them, but that's a whole different saga.

FWIW... probably best to just buy Standard Catalog as the wealth of info it provides is worth far more than simply determing a "born on" year. Besides, Jim Supica needs the dough to continue his "research".

It's readily available on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

^Absolutely, and, all the pictures are in COLOR in this edition. Really cool.

[JAFGO]

See if this helps; S&W revolver serial number info from the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog. PDF here.

VERY COOL! I've got the 3rd edition of SCSW, but having a pdf is very handy! Thank you!

[trashman]

+1000 on the SCSW. One of the authors is a contributor to the S&W Forum. And every time they have one of their auctions...oh man it just hurts to be in California if you're a S&W fan...

--Neill

see: http://www.armsbid.com/