Smith and Wesson revolvers have been a staple in the world of firearms for over 150 years. Known for their reliability, accuracy, and durability, these iconic handguns have been a favorite among law enforcement, hunters, and collectors alike. One of the most important aspects of owning a Smith and Wesson revolver is understanding its serial number. In this article, we will provide an in-depth look at the Smith and Wesson revolver serial numbers database, how to find your revolver's serial number, and what it can tell you about your firearm.
The true, official serial number on a Smith & Wesson revolver is almost always located on the . 1. The Butt of the Grip
This article serves as your comprehensive roadmap to understanding, accessing, and utilizing serial number databases to date and authenticate your S&W revolver.
Below is a generalized database reference chart for some of S&W’s most popular frame configurations. K-Frame Revolvers (Models 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, etc.) C 1 – C 223,998 1948 – 1953: C 223,999 – C 277,554 1953 – 1961: C 277,555 – C 560,344 1961 – 1967: C 560,345 – C 999,999 1968 (Prefix change): D 1 – D 90,000 1970 – 1972: D 300,001 – D 420,000 1977 – 1978: 2D00001 – 4D99999 1980 (Transition): K000001 or 6D00001 onwards J-Frame Revolvers (Models 36, 37, 38, 49, 60, etc.) 1950 – 1952: 1 – 28,916 1955 – 1957: 55,000 – 117,770 1962 – 1969: 295,000 – 786,544 1969 – 1970: J1 – J99,999 1973 – 1974: 1J1 – 99J99 1982: 1J10000 onwards N-Frame Revolvers (Models 25, 27, 28, 29, 57, 629, etc.) 1946 – 1962 (S Prefix): S 62,489 – S 220,000 1962 – 1969 (S Prefix): S 220,001 – S 333,454 1969 – 1972 (N Prefix): N 1 – N 100,000 1975 – 1976: N 300,000 – N 399,999 1978 – 1980: N 500,000 – N 699,999 Modern Three-Letter Alphabetical System Era (All Frames) 1980: AAA, AAB, AAC, AAD 1983: ADE, ADF, ADG, ADM 1986: AHA, AHB, AHC, AHL 1990: BBA, BBB, BBF, BBN 1995: CAA, CAB, CAM, CBT 2000 onwards: DBA to SBA+ sequences 4. How to Verify Your S&W Production Date smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
If you want a free, interactive, and dynamic database, go to the Smith & Wesson Forum (smith-wessonforum.com). Their dedicated section for "S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961" and "S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980" contains sticky threads where users have compiled known serial numbers.
To prevent overlap and comply with evolving regulations, S&W introduced letter prefixes tied directly to the frame size.
Firearm laws and serial number regulations vary by jurisdiction. This article is for educational and historical research purposes. Always verify the legal status of any firearm with local and federal authorities. The author and publisher do not provide legal advice. Smith and Wesson revolvers have been a staple
: Written by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas, this is the industry-standard "bible". It contains nearly all known serial number ranges and their corresponding years of manufacture. S&W Historical Foundation Factory Letters
Finding the manufacture date for a Smith & Wesson revolver requires identifying the "serial number of record," as these firearms often feature multiple internal numbers . While Smith & Wesson does not provide a public, searchable online database, collectors rely on physical references and historical services for accurate dating. Locating the Correct Serial Number
While a complete day-by-day factory log requires physical book references, the table below highlights major serial number milestones to help estimate production years. Serial Number Prefix / Range Applicable Models Approximate Production Years Victory Model (K-Frame) 1942 – 1945 S 811,120 to S 999,999 Post-War M&P (Pre-Model 10) 1946 – 1948 C 1 to C 223,998 K-Frame (M&P, Pre-10) 1948 – 1951 C 477,466 to C 622,699 Model 10, 11, 12, 45 1961 – 1962 D 1 to D 90,000 K-Frame Models N 1 to N 60,000 N-Frame (Model 27, 28, 29) 1969 – 1972 J 1 to J 250,000 J-Frame (Model 36, 37, 38, 49) 1969 – 1973 AAA to AAF All Models (First 3-Letter Runs) 1980 – 1981 LGT, LHB, LMA Modern Production Early 1990s How to Access the Complete Database In this article, we will provide an in-depth
It is easy to mistake an assembly number for a serial number. To find the official record:
For generations, firearm enthusiasts, historians, and collectors have been drawn to the precision engineering of Smith & Wesson (S&W) revolvers. Whether you have inherited a vintage .38 Military & Police or recently acquired a classic modern wheel gun, finding its exact history starts with the serial number.
: The S&WHF offers a Letter of Authenticity service for a fee (typically around $100). This letter provides the exact shipping date and original destination of your specific firearm.
