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LOOKUP GUN SERIAL NUMBER SMITH AND WESSON



Joined Dec 13, 2017. Discussion Starter #1 Jan 31, 2020. I have a Smith and
Wesson SD9 VE. I have lost the receipt and forgot what year I purchased it. Do
the model numbers and serial numbers show that? My serial number is FYD0867.
Also what does the VE stand for? Look up the pistol's full serial number -
including all letters and numbers - in the back section of the 'Standard Catalog
of Smith & Wesson' book. These listings inform you of the pistol's date of
manufacture, based on the serial number. Please enter the serial number below.
Please enter the serial number below.

I know you’ve been on the edge of your seat hoping for Part 2 of The Quest for
the Ideal Carry Revolver. Unfortunately, thanks to nasty winter weather and the
past week’s wild ammo market, I haven’t been to the range much lately. So until
I get more trigger time with the revolvers I’m trying out, enjoy my best attempt
at deciphering Smith & Wesson’s revolver catalog.

We got some good feedback on our reference guide to 1st-3rd Gen S&W Semi-Autos,
so for our Wheel Gun Wednesday series I thought I’d put together a similar chart
for all of the S&W revolvers. And that’s exactly what I would have done except
Smith & Wesson’s revolver model numbers have all been assigned by a mad genius.
Sometimes there appears to be a logical numbering system at work, but it’s
applied inconsistently, and varies from one product line to the next.

Apr 12, 2017 Locate either 'Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts' or
'Smith & Wesson; Houlton, ME' stamped on the barrel. This identification proves
that the handgun is an authentic Smith & Wesson pistol. Locate the serial number
on the left side of the pistol's frame.

So instead of one big comprehensive chart for every Smith & Wesson revolver ever
made, I’m offering this smaller bite-sized chunk: every post-1957 .38 Special
and .357 Magnum revolver from S&W that officially entered full-scale production.

Why 1957? That’s the year when S&W switched over to assigning model numbers to
each revolver rather than identifying them only by unique names (e.g.,
“Registered Magnum” or “Combat Masterpiece”). The nicknames still remained in
many cases, but they could refer to a family or series of revolvers with similar
characteristics.

In the charts below, I’ve grouped the models by frame size and then by series.
Where possible, I’ve listed the defining features of each series. For each
model, there’s information about its caliber, frame material, sights, finish,
and ammo capacity. Here’s a handy key for how to read the chart:

Series Name: Some of these names were used in the actual S&W catalog but others
are just nicknames. S&W stopped using some of these names, even when production
of the model continued. For example, the “Military & Police” designation was
dropped from the K-frame revolvers years ago (and recycled for their polymer
semi-autos and AR rifles), but I’ve kept the designation in the chart for all
revolvers that fit the original M&P criteria.

Series Features: Each series is identified by some unique features that don’t
typically apply to other models of that frame size.

Caliber: For this post, all models are .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Most S&W .38
Special revolvers can handle +P ammo, but the +P designation doesn’t appear on
the barrel of some older models so it’s always best to contact S&W customer
service and verify that it’s safe.

Frame Material: S&W has used a variety of metals to construct their revolvers
over the years but the frames all have been either steel or a lightweight
aluminum alloy. Some variants of the alloy guns contain Scandium for an even
lighter overall weight. The absolute lightest S&W revolver have also included a
Titanium cylinder. I’ve noted the use of Sc or Ti on the chart when the only
available version of a given model use those alloys. Other alloy frame guns
listed on the charts may have Sc frame or Ti cylinder variants that exist in
addition to the standard aluminum or steel versions.

Model Number: The model number assigned to the product without any prefixes or
suffixes (with the exception of the “Plus” model L-frames).

Sights: Sights can be fixed or adjustable. The fixed sights are generally a ramp
style front sight with a gutter in the top strap to form the rear sight. S&W has
used a variety of adjustable rear sights over the years, but most have a
removable blade insert. Front sights on models with the adjustable rear can be
the traditional ramp style machined into the barrel, but newer front sights are
pinned, and can be removed and replaced with aftermarket front sights.


LOOKUP GUN SERIAL NUMBER SMITH AND WESSON 38 SPECIAL

Finish: For the sake of simplicity, I’ve only used the labels “black” or
“stainless” on the chart. Black can refer to a matte black finish or a glossy
blue finish. Older models with a blue finish were often also available with a
shiny nickel plated finish. Stainless can refer to the polished or matte
stainless steel revolvers, or alloy revolvers with a silver matte finish that
mimics the stainless steel look.

Ammo Capacity: All J-frame .38 Special and .357 magnum revolvers have a
five-round capacity. K-frames all have six. L-frames can hold six or seven shots
depending on the model. Older N-frame designs have a six-round capacity but the
newer ones hold eight.

Other Info: I’ve tried to keep the chart as complete as possible while still
being readable. That said, there is still information you won’t be able to find
here. The most significant omission is barrel length. Almost every model has
been offered in multiple barrel lengths at some point but availability varies.
The more common barrel lengths are listed in the summary for each frame size.

I also haven’t listed the variants available for each model. If a model number
contains a suffix like “PD” or “Lady Smith”, it might mean that it has features
that distinguish it from other models in the same series. Here’s an incomplete
list of the more common variants and some other suffixes you might see on model
numbers:

 * PD: “Personal Defense”. Usually indicates Scandium alloy frame.
 * Sc: Indicates frame with Scandium Alloy.
 * Ti: Titanium Cylinder. Usually accompanied by Scandium alloy frame.
 * Lady Smith: Name given to a number of variants in different calibers and
   frame sizes. Usually accompanied by special grips and engraving.
 * Airweight: Indicates an Aluminum alloy frame.
 * Airlite: Indicates a Scandium alloy frame.
 * Night Guard (NG): Series introduced in 2008 with models in various calibers
   and frame sizes. All have a 2.5-inch barrel, alloy frame, steel cylinder,
   Tritium front sight, and a removable Cylinder and Slide brand fixed rear
   sight.


J-FRAME

The J-frame S&W revolver has become so ubiquitous that the term is often used as
a generic reference to almost any small frame snub nosed revolver. The most
common barrel length for a J-frame is 1 ⅞” but 3-inch models are also plentiful
along with some other less common sizes.

J-Frame model numbers are determined by frame material, hammer/action type, and
finish. Unlike K and L frame revolvers, S&W doesn’t use a separate model number
for J-frames with adjustable versus fixed sights.

A few J-frame models started out as being offered in only .38 special, but in
the mid-1990s, were beefed up to handle .357 magnum. I’ve included each of these
multi-caliber models as two separate entries in the chart.

The three major J-frame model series are as follows:

 * Chief’s special: Standard hammer. Most have fixed sights but a few have been
   offered with adjustable sights.
 * Bodyguard: The original S&W Bodyguard. They include a hammer shroud with a
   small protrusion that allows the user to cock the hammer for single action
   shots.
 * Centennial: This is the name generally given to all “hammerless” S&W
   revolvers. They aren’t literally hammerless, but the hammer is completely
   internal, which means these revolvers can only be fired in double action.


K-FRAME


SMITH WESSON SERIAL NUMBERS MANUFACTURE DATE

The classic S&W K-frame is one of Smith & Wesson’s most enduring designs.
Picture a typical 20th century policeman’s “service revolver” and it probably
looks a lot like a K-frame with a 4-inch barrel. These mid-size revolvers have
also been offered with long 6-inch barrels for target models, and 3-inch,
2.5-inch, and 2-inch snub nose versions for concealment.

Model numbers are based on finish, caliber, and whether the gun has fixed or
adjustable sights.

There have been three major series of .38 Special and .357 magnum K-frames along
with a couple of unique models:

 * Military & Police: The original K-frame. They have fixed sights and no
   underlug or shroud around the ejector rod. The .357 magnum versions were
   added to the catalog along with the Combat Magnum series.
 * Combat Masterpiece: Essentially identical to the M&P line, but with the
   addition of adjustable sights. The model 68 — a special run for the
   California Highway Patrol — also includes a shrouded ejector rod.
 * Combat Magnum: These are the .357 versions of the Combat Masterpiece. The
   Combat Magnums have a shrouded ejector rod as standard.
 * Target Masterpiece: Target guns with adjustable sites and typically offered
   with a 6-inch barrel, but also available with 4-inch and 8 ⅜-inch barrels.
   The later models added a full underlug to the barrel.
 * Alloy K-frames: The only non-steel K-frame revolvers have been the 12 and
   315. The Model 12 was offered for many years as a lightweight version of the
   model 10, but was discontinued in 1986. The 315 was offered for a very short
   time in 2008 as a part of the Night Guard series with a 2.5-inch barrel and
   upgraded sights. By some estimates, fewer than 1000 were ever produced.


L-FRAME

The medium-large L-frame .357 models came along in the early 1980s as a bridge
between the hefty N-frames and the smaller K-frames. Common barrel lengths are
similar to the K-frames, with the 4-inch models being the most common and
6-inch, 3-inch, and 2.5-inch versions also available.


HOW TO LOOK UP GUN BY SERIAL NUMBER

Also similar to the K-frame revolvers, the L-frame model numbers are determined
by sights, finish, and frame material.

S&W has used the L-frame for a lot of its more innovative and experimental
models. The 586 and 686 “plus” models were among the first 7-shot medium-frame
revolvers on the market, and several lightweight alloy L-frames have been
produced at various times.

 * Distinguished Combat Magnum: These are the flagship models of the L-frame
   line. They feature a full barrel underlug, steel frame, and adjustable
   sights.
 * Distinguished Service Magnum: Nearly identical to the Combat Magnum, only
   with fixed sights.
 * 619 & 620: These two were introduced as a replacement for the K-frame .357
   models that S&W discontinued in the early 2000s. They are very similar to the
   681/686, but have a slimmer barrel profile with a shrouded ejector rod rather
   than a full underlug.
 * 520: Not to be confused with the short-lived N-frame model 520. This was
   essentially an alloy framed version of the 620.
 * 386: The model with no name. There have been several versions of the 386,
   each with its own name and features. The common attributes are an alloy frame
   with a black finish and adjustable sights. With the exception of the 386 PD,
   all have had a 7-shot cylinder.
 * 242: The only “Centennial” hammerless Smith & Wesson that’s not a J-frame.
   Designed for concealed carry, it’s also the only L-frame chambered in .38
   Special rather than .357 Magnum.


N-FRAME

The S&W Model 27 N-Frame was the original platform for the .357 Magnum
cartridge. The design proved to be durable, but it’s considered large and heavy
for a 6-shooter by today’s standards. With modern metals, S&W has managed to
cram eight rounds into the newer N-frame .357s.

Available barrel lengths for N-frame revolvers have varied widely over the
years, and include 3 1/2-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch, 6-inch, and 8 3/8-inch models,
among others.

 * The Original Magnums: The Model 27 was the original .357 and was initially
   called the “Registered Magnum”. It has a deep blue finish, shrouded ejector,
   and adjustable sights. The budget model 28 “Highway Patrolman” has all the
   same features, but with a few minor changes, such as a slightly less polished
   finish.
 * 8-Shot Magnums: Neither the alloy 327 or the steel 627 have had an official
   name. Both of these 8-shot N-frames have been offered with various features
   and barrel lengths.
 * Military & Police: In 1980, the New York State Police ordered a model 27 with
   fixed sights. The ordered was never delivered, and a few thousand of these
   ended up in the general market. In 2005, S&W recycled the model number 520
   for an alloy L-frame .357.


LOOKUP GUN SERIAL NUMBER SMITH AND WESSON


WORK IN PROGRESS


S&W DATES OF MANUFACTURE BY SERIAL NUMBER

I am by no means an expert on Smith & Wesson revolvers. Most of this information
is just stuff I’ve picked up from window shopping for Smith & Wesson revolvers
over the years. I’ve tried to verify and flesh out the info using other sources
like the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, but there are probably some
omissions and errors in there somewhere. If you spot one, be sure to let me
know. I’ll be checking on this post periodically and will update it with
corrections and additions when I have the chance.




Posted on 04-10-2021 by  admin


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