Smith And Wesson Serial Numbers Lookup =link= [FULL • Summary]

Disclaimer: Firearm serial number information is for historical and collector purposes only. Always consult a qualified gunsmith or law enforcement for legal transfer or safety verification.

This book by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas is considered the "Bible" of S&W identification. It contains exhaustive tables of serial number ranges and the corresponding years they were shipped. Most serious collectors use this as their first point of reference. Smith And Wesson Serial Numbers Year Of Manufacture smith and wesson serial numbers lookup

In 1957, S&W introduced the modern model numbering system (Model 19, Model 60, etc.). At this point, serial numbers began to incorporate letters (e.g., "K" frames, "N" frames, "J" frames). If your gun is pre-1957, you need to look for features like the "5-screw" vs. "3-screw" frame to narrow down the date. It contains exhaustive tables of serial number ranges