Smith And Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers Database !link! -
The Detective's Quest: Unraveling the Secrets of Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers
Hidden Numbers: If your revolver has oversized or wrap-around wood target stocks, you must carefully remove them to see the number on the frame. smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
Because there is no public, searchable digital database for all historical S&W records, collectors rely on specialized resources: The Detective's Quest: Unraveling the Secrets of Smith
Smith & Wesson (S&W) is one of the most iconic and respected firearms manufacturers in the world, with a rich history dating back to 1852. Over the years, the company has produced a wide range of revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and other firearms that have become highly sought after by collectors, law enforcement, and civilians alike. One of the key aspects of collecting and researching S&W firearms is understanding the serial number system, which can help identify the production date, model, and other relevant information about a particular firearm. In this paper, we will review the S&W revolver serial numbers database, its history, and its significance for collectors and researchers. Non-sequential shipping: Smith & Weston did not ship
However, for the vast majority of vintage Smith & Wesson revolvers, the combined use of the Standard Catalog, the S&W Forum, and the Historical Foundation’s letter service remains the gold standard.
For over a century, S&W's approach to numbering was relatively fluid, evolving alongside changes in manufacturing and federal regulations.
- Non-sequential shipping: Smith & Weston did not ship guns in strict numerical order. A lower serial number could ship months after a higher one due to batch production.
- Overlapping ranges: Some prefixes and model numbers overlap across years (e.g., late K-frames and early L-frames).
- Lost or incomplete records: Factory fires (1850s) and poor early record-keeping mean some 19th-century revolvers cannot be precisely dated.
- Refinished or altered guns: If a serial number has been removed or altered (illegal in many jurisdictions), databases are useless.
- Crowdsourced errors: Forum-based databases may contain typos, misinterpreted numbers, or faked entries.
Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson: This is the industry-standard reference book (now in its 5th edition) by Supica and Nahas. It provides the most comprehensive data on model specifications and serial number ranges.