If you have a particularly valuable, rare, or inherited piece and need definitive, documented proof of its origin, the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation offers a premium factory letter service.
While a dynamic lookup tool doesn't exist, historians have compiled serial number ranges from factory ledgers. The table below outlines general date ranges for the most common 20th-century letter prefixes. Letter Prefix Frame Type / Model Association Approximate Production Years (Early) N-Frame / Heavy Duty / Outdoorsman 1946 – 1948 S (Late) N-Frame (e.g., early Model 27, 29) 1948 – 1968 C K-Frame (e.g., Military & Police, Model 10) 1948 – 1967 D K-Frame variations 1968 – 1977 J J-Frame (e.g., Model 36, 60 Chiefs Special) 1969 – 1983 AAA to AAF Unified Alpha-Numeric System (All models) AAL to AAM Unified Alpha-Numeric System (All models) N N-Frame specific batches 1970 – 1988 4. How to Research Your Specific Serial Number
If there is a single most important resource for identifying and dating any Smith & Wesson firearm, it is the by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. This is the reference bible for collectors, often referred to as the "SCSW". It is now in its 5th edition and is widely considered the most authoritative and comprehensive guide available to the public. smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
This comprehensive guide explains how to locate, read, and cross-reference Smith & Wesson revolver serial numbers using historical databases, factory records, and serial number patterns. 1. Where to Find the Serial Number on an S&W Revolver
Do not confuse the serial number with the assembly number, which is found inside the crane area. The assembly number is used to keep parts matched during production. Understanding the S&W Serial Number System If you have a particularly valuable, rare, or
Collectors seeking the most detailed access should consider joining the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association (SWCA) . Membership provides access to an even more extensive, member-only database that includes detailed shipping dates for a vast number of revolvers. This can often help members narrow down a shipping date to within a year or two.
If you can tell me the and serial number (including any letters), I can help you find its estimated manufacturing date . Share public link Letter Prefix Frame Type / Model Association Approximate
While a complete, page-by-page database requires specialized literature, the following chronological benchmarks cover the most widely collected S&W revolver series. The K-Frame "C" Prefix Series (Fixed Sight M&P / Model 10) 1948 – 1951 C 223,999 – C 277,554: 1952 – 1953 C 474,149 – C 622,699: 1961 – 1962 C 810,533 – C 999,999: 1967 – 1968 The K-Frame "D" Prefix Series (Target & Fixed Models) D 1 – D 90,000: 1968 D 300,001 – D 420,000: 1971 – 1972 D 750,001 – D 870,000: 1975 – 1976 2D 1 – 2D 99,999: 1977 The Modern Three-Letter System Micro-Timeline AAA, AAB, AAC: Late 1980 ADB, ADC, ADF: 1983 AHA, AHB, AHC: 1985 ALA, ALB: 1986 AVB: 1987 BBD: 1988 BFA: 1989 CAM: 1996 CTA: 2004 How to Get Verified Historical Information
Owning a vintage or historical Smith & Wesson (S&W) revolver connects you to over a century of American manufacturing, innovation, and lore. Whether it is a classic Model 10 Military & Police, an iconic .44 Hand Ejector, or a sturdy Model 686, one of the first questions owners ask is: "When was my revolver made?"
In the 1980s, S&W moved toward a three-letter/four-digit system (e.g., AAA1234), which makes dating slightly easier, followed by the current, standard modern alpha-numeric system. Common S&W Revolver Serial Number Lookup Data