After WWII, S&W added an "S" prefix to denote the new hammer block safety.
Smith & Wesson serial numbers are a unique identifier assigned to each firearm produced by the company. These numbers are used to track production, monitor inventory, and verify authenticity. Serial numbers typically consist of a combination of letters and numbers, which provide valuable information about the firearm, including its model, production date, and manufacturing facility. smith and wesson serial numbers n frame
Always verify the serial number on the butt (bottom of the grip) for pre-1968 guns, as this is the legal "firearm" for ATF purposes. After WWII, S&W added an "S" prefix to
: Remove the grips if they cover the bottom of the butt, as factory wooden target grips often obscure the primary stamped serial number. Serial Number Lookup - Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC Serial numbers typically consist of a combination of
Numbers found inside the crane or on the frame under the grips that do not match the butt are often internal factory "assembly numbers" used to keep hand-fitted parts together during manufacturing; these are not the official serial number. Historical Serial Number Eras
Whether you are holding a Triple Lock from 1908 or a Performance Center 629 from 2023, take a moment to swing open the cylinder, read the number in the yoke cut, and look it up. You aren't just checking a date; you are reading a century of American firearms heritage.
In 1983, S&W switched to a system of three letters followed by four digits. These are much harder to date precisely without a factory letter.