1. Smith And Wesson 38 Serial Number Search
2. Smith And Wesson Model 49 Serial Number Search
3. Smith And Wesson Serial Number Lookup Model 41
4. Smith And Wesson Revolver Serial Number Search
5. Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers By Year
6. Smith And Wesson Model 63 Serial Number Search
7. Smith And Wesson Gun Serial Number Lookup

How to Identify/Date a S&W. Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Pilgrim, Jun 5, 2009. This is where to look for the model number (not used until around 1957). Sometimes the serial number is here, especially in later models. Serial# is N82XXX. I called Smith when I first bought it used. They said it was made in 1981.

The address line and Imperial acceptance mark on the barrel.

All first contract guns all have the Cyrillic address line on the top of the barrel rib followed by an inspector’s final acceptance mark in the form of a double headed Russian eagle above the inspector’s initials. All of the first contract guns were inspected by then Capitan Kasaverii Ordinetz (Касаверий Ординец) who inspected the Smith & Wesson production until early 1876, hence the KO under the eagle.

The address line contains the following text in old (pre 1917) Cyrillic letters:
Смита и Вессона оружейная фабрика Г. Спрингфильдъ Америка
This translates to: “Smith and Wesson weapons factory C(ity) Springfield America” This is the address line and acceptance mark arrangement that would be used through at least the first two or three contracts. The address line is located to the rear of the 8 inch barrel and there is minimal space between the end of the address and the acceptance mark. Later the address line would be moved forward to make space for the serial number in front of the acceptance mark.

There are three major variations of the № 3 as delivered to the Russians during the first contract:

1. First issue - revolvers with old style straight bottom frames, small trigger pin, old style hinge pin, and marked with assembly numbers. Some of these may be missing some of the first mechanical improvements. Of the approximately 500 first issue revolvers that were manufactured, so far, only two pieces are currently known.
2. Second issue - revolvers with old style straight bottom frames, the small trigger pin, old style hinge pin, but marked with full serial numbers instead of assembly numbers. Approx 2500 pieces manufactured. (revolvers have been observed with high, 5000ish, serials? Datig)
3. Third issue - guns with new style (enlarged trigger pin boss) frames, enlarged trigger pin, new style 2 piece hinge pin, and marked with full serial numbers. Approx 15-17000 third issue revolvers produced.

First Issue - Assembly Numbers

The original Smith & Wesson №3 'Americans' had been produced with a full serial number on the butt and the inside of the right grip plate. Assembly numbers were put on the major parts; the master assembly number on the frame was found on the right side of the butt portion of the frame underneath the right grip plate and the matching assembly numbers were located on the face of the cylinder, the barrel latch and the rear face of the barrel extension.

The Russian contract revolvers of the first contract have been reported to all have full serial numbers in five locations; the frame, the right grip plate, the cylinder face, the barrel extension face and under the barrel latch - the exact same locations as the 'American' assembly numbers. However, the first approximately 500 revolvers for the Russian contract were produced with the 'American' style numbering system. Only two examples of this model are currently known; Serial numbers 211 and 438. Assembly numbers and the early style frame are the identifiers for the first issue revolvers - after about serial № 500 full serial numbers are found in the five usual locations.

Serial № 211

The Assembly number on Serial 211 is 302 or 3O2. At some point in its history this revolver has probably been refinished and the the cylinder may have had the serial number put on at that point in time (the face of the numbers don't quite match).

Second Issue - Full serial numbers

Third Issue - The Trigger Pin and Hinge Pin Changes

Serial 211 on the left, note the flat line of the bottom of the frame. Serial 13300 on the right shows the enlarged trigger pin boss that would be used through out the rest of the entire production

In the fall of 1871, the Russians requested another change that has served to establish one of the major differences in what has been defined as Second and Third Issue revolvers. This change was to increase the size of the pin holding the trigger in the frame and to reinforce the frame with a boss at the bottom of the frame at the location of the trigger pin hole.

This change was considered to be of great importance by the Russians. So important that late in 1871 Gorloff, who had by then been promoted to general, asked the factory to take back all of the revolvers that had already been inspected and approved. Since the Russians were Smith & Wesson's biggest customer, they wanted to keep them happy but needed a way to quickly sell the returned revolvers. Smith & Wesson contacted their agent, M.W. Robinson, to ask his assistance in selling the completed revolvers and the nearly completed revolvers still in production.

We have finished about 2,500 of the Russian Army pistols, all of which have been accepted by them and stamped with their stamp and we have perhaps 500 more to be finished. We have made a slight alteration in the model, which in the opinion of the Russian officers is of great value to the pistol, so much so that they ask us if we will receive back those not having the improvement and begin again with them. The question we cannot answer until we know whether we can turn them into money. We propose to stamp them “Russian Model” if we sell them. They are the best pistols ever made, having been most carefully (we may say almost painfully) inspected by the Russian inspectors…

It is not surprising that Robinson found a buyer, and it is not surprising that the prospective buyer was Schuler, Hartley & Graham (SH&G) of New York City. SH&G had contacted Smith & Wesson in September regarding a possible large order for a foreign government only to be told that the Russian contract made any early delivery of a large number of army-size revolvers impossible. When SH&G asked to purchase any that were on hand, Smith & Wesson referred them to M.W. Robinson because … our business relations with Mr. M.W. Robinson of your city are such that we prefer that you should arrange the matter with him … Then on the 13th of November, after the issue of the change in the frame had come up, Smith & Wesson wrote Robinson

We have been told by a Russian officer that he has been asked by S.H.&G. to sell some of their pistols to them. This was before the alteration in the model and was declined of course. This [unreadable] may be useful to you.

SH&G was very active in acquiring foreign orders for American arms and would eventually be the greatest commercial customer for the Smith & Wesson Russian Model. After Robinson notified Smith & Wesson of SH&G’s agreement to take the inspected revolvers, Smith & Wesson wrote General Gorloff that they could accept his proposal, but asked that the Russian government pay the cost of removing the Cyrillic barrel address. The factory’s estimate cost to replace the barrel marking was ten cents per pistol. Gorloff balked at this unexpected expense, stating there was no appropriation for it. The General advised Smith & Wesson that Marcellus Hartley had made an “urgent” request of him to purchase some of the pistols and indicated that they would pay more than the usual price for them. Given their willingness to do so, the General suggested that SH&G be asked to pay for removal of the markings. Smith & Wesson wrote Robinson on the 8th of December asking him to see if his customer would bear the expense of remarking the revolvers. Robinson replied the following day that SH&G had agreed, and Smith & Wesson immediately began the necessary preparations. But on the 14th of December, the partners received a telegram from General Gorloff saying he had decided to keep the finished revolvers. His reason for doing so is not been given in any available documentation. The most likely scenerio is that Gorloff learned the ultimate destination for the revolvers was to be the Ottoman Empire. Given the deteriorating relationship between Russia and Turkey, Gorloff may have not wanted the revolvers to fall into the hands of a potential enemy.

Needless to say, all of this was quite an embarrassment to Smith & Wesson. Writing to Robinson on the 19th of December after Gorloff’s decision had been confirmed, Smith & Wesson said:

…We were never in such a fix before so we do not know what to say. You must try and help us out of it which perhaps you can do by offering Messrs. SH&G some advantages from the 25,000 pistols ordered by you on completion of the Russians. And again, we shall soon be able to turn out some on our own account if you desire it and can [help] in arranging this matter. We feel that all the necessary apologies and reparations are due from the Gen. & not from us…

How Robinson worked the situation out is unrecorded, but Smith & Wesson's relationship with SH&G remained cordial. Robinson appears to have received most, if not all, of the approximately 500 revolvers of the old-style frame that were unfinished when the problem arose. While some of them were delivered to other customers, perhaps he gave SH&G some special consideration with them and later orders. SH&G clearly received favorable treatment on Russian Model revolvers made in later years.

Smith And Wesson 38 Serial Number Search

The old style hinge pin found on first and second issue revolvers

In addition to changing the trigger pin size, the hinge pin was changed from a single piece design to a two piece design of larger diameter. The early small diameter model simply threaded into the right side of the frame after passing through the left side and barrel extension assembly. The hinge pin was then locked in place on the left side with a second interference screw on the left side of the frame of the revolver.

The new style can be recognised by the screw head on the right side of the frame.

Pictures of a late first contract revolver

Shown below is an excellent example of a standard first contract revolver serial № 13300

Marks found on the first contract guns

The basic proof or mark locations for the first model are:

• The cylinder face, circle 'D' on all examples, early examples have a punch mark below the circle 'D' and on the extractor
• Bottom of the butt, cyrillic 'Д' all examples
• Bottom of grip plates
• 'D' 211 (both sides)
• 'D' 438, 3346 one side (right)
• Circle 'P' 13300 one side (right)
• Barrel extension usually both sides
• 'P' 211, 3346, 13300, 17812
• Circle 'D' 438,
• Frame strap under cylinder
• 'P' 3346, 17812
• Circle 'D' 211, 438, 13300,

The circle 'D' on various parts and the cyrillic 'Д' on the butt are marks that are not seen on any other model of the Russian № 3. A simple 'D' without the circle will show up on second model revolvers in the second contract, but the circle 'D' mark has only been observed on the first contract revolvers. This mark has been observed on all first model cylinder faces directly under the serial or assembly number on the cylinder face as well as on the sides of the barrel extension of some very early first issue revlovers. It also appears on the top of the frame strap under the cylinder on many first contract revolvers (a 'P' appears in the same location at some unknown inerval). Early first model revolvers show a punch mark on the cylinder face and the extractor star, later revolvers do not seem show this mark.

Star marks and rejects

Content to be added!

The Survivors

First contract guns are VERY difficult to find and examine – only about 15 guns of the original 20,000 guns produced are currently known to the author (less than .1% of the original production!). The survival rate for original Smith & Wesson manufactured guns from any contract is very low. The average Russian soldier, officer or trooper, took very poor care of his weapons and the loss rate was horrendous! These guns were in service from 1871 through the First World War and Civil War. During that period of time the Russian army fought at least four major conflicts; the Russo-Turkish War 1877-78, The Russo-Japanese War 1904-05, the First World War 1914 -1918, and then the Revolution and Civil War. Guns that were broken were repaired when possible but were often simply discarded due to the lack replacement parts. There were only 20,000 first models manufactured for Imperial Russia and they were not parts interchangable with the later models. As the newer models came out, the longer barrels on earlier models were often cut down to fit in new style holsters or simply for convenience.

Known first contract guns

• 211 Leiper - First issue (assy 3O2)
• 438 Leiper - First Issue (assy 18)
• 1360 David Acon - mismatched parts
• 2379 Mentioned in Pate straight frame - Second Issue
• 3346 Pate straight frame in series 3200-3700 - Second Issue
• 4159 Mentioned in Pate straight frame - Second Issue
• 6253 Hugh May in Pate
• 13300 Leiper
• 13257 Gunbroker auction - refinished
• 16654 Edward (RussianSwords.com)
• 17409 Jay Drelinger
• 17812 Illustration Roy Double
• Pate mentions eight guns from 6253 to 17812
• Early gun shown in Jinks Dr. W. Lloyd Hudson Jr -
• 19024 inv 51/19 aetmsp
• 19997 (observed at Tulsa Apr 2010)

On Dec 6, 1871, the Russian Grand Duke Alexis visited the Smith & Wesson factory and was presented with a fully engraved, carved pearl grip, cased Model 3. This gun and case cost the factory $400 ($100 was for the case and $100 for the carved Ivory grips) but it was a worthwhile investment, since the company hoped for additional contracts. The Grand Duke proudly displayed his revolver as he toured the American Frontier and carried it on a buffalo hunt with the famous “Buffalo Bill” Cody.
=> find pictures of the gun – does it still exist?

Smith And Wesson Model 49 Serial Number Search

The following information on the Smith & Wesson Regulation Police comes from Smith & Wesson Hand Guns by Roy C. McHenry and Walter F. Roper. Smith & Wesson Hand Guns is also available to purchase in print.

Smith And Wesson Serial Number Lookup Model 41

Colt hand-ejector pocket revolvers in .32 caliber had been made for about 15 years and Smith & Wesson side-swingers had been on the market for four years in larger caliber before the latter decided to adapt the system to a .32 pocket revolver. The design presented no special problem, as the gun would be simply a smaller model of the .38 Military and Police Model. But the ballistics department was requested to devise an improved cartridge before the new model was placed on the market, the old .32 S&W cartridge used in the jointed frame models being underpowered.

The new cartridge contained 13 grains of black powder and a 98-grain bullet with rounded end. It had the same diameter as the smaller cartridge so that it could be used interchangeably with it. Ballistically, it did not differ greatly from the Civil War rim fire .32 long, though the bullet was heavier by 8 grains. But in accuracy, the new ammunition was greatly superior and it is still rated high in the fifth column of those tables put out by cartridge manufacturers which show how far away a bullet is dependable with the proper aim and trigger pull. Its energy is only rated at 117 foot pounds, but a .32 is not suitable for big game hunting in any event.

Probably due to corresponding changes and improvements in the .38 Military & Police Model, the .32 Hand Ejector followed the same process of evolution. Most of these changes would be overlooked unless you took the action apart. Revolvers bearing serial numbers from 1 to 19,425 were made before any changes were made. Then, among other things, the cylinder stop notches were lengthened to fit an elongated stud slot, contributing to a better alignment of cylinder and barrel. In this form, it ran from 19,426 to 61,126, which gives some indication of its popularity. The second group of changes affected revolvers of this model running to 95,500 and all were of minor importance. As the parts catalogue puts it, however, “As there have been numerous changes in this arm it is advisable to send in the old part when ordering duplicates to avoid delay and chances of error.” A glance through the list of changes, all the way down through number six, will bring out all your compassion for the plant’s service department. The model had 50 parts, and each of them had to be kept in a special bin or compartment. Some were small enough to go through the eye of a fair-sized needle. Subsequent changes and serial brackets were as follows: Third change, 95,501-96,125; Fourth change, 96,126-102,500; Fifth change, 102,501-264,856; Sixth change, 264,857 ad infinitum, as they are still being made that way.

This category is a little hard to decipher, particularly in view of the fact that the Third Model hand-ejector, alias the .32 Regulation Police Model was announced in February, 1917. Presumably there was a Second Model, but the records covering it are incomplete. The Regulation Police Model was built with a square butt and appealed to shooters with large hands. It follows in the same series as the .32 Hand Ejector, with its numerous changes. Listing is unnecessary, as it is still being made.

Smith And Wesson Revolver Serial Number Search

Both models are offered with barrel lengths running from 3 1/2 to 6 inches and a Regulation Police Target Model is equipped with a Partridge front sight and an adjustable rear sight. They are sixshooters and are available both in nickel or blued finish.

The S&W .32 Long has the same outside dimensions as the .32 Colt Police Positive, or New Police, but some manufacturers produce the Colt cartridge with a 100-grain bullet. Colonel Hatcher’s figures for the S&W are 790 f.s. and 140 foot pounds of energy, though the Smith & Wesson ballistics table credits it only with 734 f.s. and 117 foot pounds. Just to be different, the Winchester table gives it a velocity of 817 f.s. and energy of 143 foot pounds.

The Colt cartridge is listed by Colonel Hatcher as exerting 720 f.s. of velocity and energy of 120 foot pounds, but Winchester only concedes it 706 and 109 respectively and Smith & Wesson omits its ballistics from the table, although it is mentioned as an alternate cartridge in the catalogue. Since the highest figures for either cartridge are well within safety limits, there is no reason to suppose that they are much at variance ballistically. For shooters who are not inclined to worry about the wear and tear on the barrel, a metal pointed cartridge is available in this caliber which performs the same as the other two.

Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers By Year

Smith & Wesson introduced the .38 Regulation Police Model simultaneously with the .32 Regulation Police. It differed from the smaller gun only in chambering five of the larger cartridges instead of six. Its heat-treated chrome steel cylinder and four-inch barrel was procurable in blued or nickeled finish and the grip had a square butt. More recently, due to the trend toward short-barreled revolvers, the round-butt frame has been attached to a two-inch barrel and the arm is officially known as the .38/32 2″. It measures up very well with Colt revolvers of the same type and is an accurate shooter. Both the .38 Regulation Police and its short-barreled mate are still on the active list and hence serials would be meaningless at this time.

Smith And Wesson Model 63 Serial Number Search

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