Smith And Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers Database ((link)) May 2026

REPORT: Analysis of Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Number Systems and Database Resources

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers: Identification, Historical Context, and Verification Methods smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database

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Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers Database: A Comprehensive Guide

B. Published Reference Books (Physical Databases)

Before the internet, collectors relied on books, which remain indispensable: REPORT: Analysis of Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial

• Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (by Supica & Nahas) – The gold standard. Contains serial number tables by model, dash numbers, engineering changes, and production year ranges.
• History of Smith & Wesson (by Roy Jinks) – Written by the company’s former historian; includes early serial number data.

2. Verifying "Bangor Punta" Era Guns

In the 1960s and 1970s, S&W was owned by Bangor Punta. Quality dipped. Serial number databases can tell you if your revolver is from the "good" early 1960s or the "spotty" late 1970s. Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers Database: A

1. The Anatomy of a Smith & Wesson Serial Number

Understanding the numbering system is essential before using any database. Key characteristics include:

• Location: On older revolvers (19th century), serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder face, barrel flat, yoke (crane), and extractor star. Post-1957 models typically have the number on the butt or inside the yoke cut.
• No Prefix Era (1852–1940s): Numbers started at 1 and ran consecutively across different models, but this quickly became model-specific.
• Letter Prefixes (1940s–present): To track millions of units, S&W introduced letter prefixes (e.g., S, N, K, D, J, C). Each prefix roughly corresponds to a frame size and era.
  • K – K-frame (e.g., Model 19, 66) – started ~1948.
  • N – N-frame (e.g., Model 29, 27) – used post-WWII.
  • J – J-frame (e.g., Model 36, 60) – from 1950s onward.
  • S – Pre-model number N-frames with hammer block safety.
• Model Numbers (1957–present): In 1957, S&W assigned model numbers (e.g., Model 10, Model 29). Serial numbers then ran in blocks per model.

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1. Executive Summary

This report details the complex history and structure of Smith & Wesson (S&W) revolver serial numbers. Unlike modern vehicles or certain consumer electronics, there is no single, publicly accessible, searchable "database" where a user can input a serial number to receive complete manufacturing details. Instead, serial number identification relies on cross-referencing physical attributes with published historical tables compiled by collectors and historians. This report outlines the evolution of S&W serial numbering, methods for locating numbers, and resources for accurate identification.

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