Smith And Wesson Revolver Serial Numbers Database Fix Jun 2026

In service cases, a small date code (e.g., "12.75" for December 1975) might be stamped under the grips on the side of the frame. Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

There is no official public, searchable online database for Smith & Wesson serial numbers. Instead, identifying a revolver's manufacturing date and history requires consulting specific printed catalogs, historical societies, or official factory services. 1. Locate the Correct Number

If you are restoring a vintage piece, knowing the production year ensures you source period-correct parts, finishes, and grips. smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database

Using a is the only way to read that history. Start with the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson . Supplement with the free resources at Proofhouse and the S&W Forum. And for the crown jewels in your collection, invest in a Factory Letter from the S&W Historical Foundation.

Always located on the bottom of the grip frame (butt) . On models with wrap-around wood or rubber grips, you must remove the grips to see it. In service cases, a small date code (e

S&W revolver serial numbers can be complex, but understanding the system can help you decode them. Here's a breakdown:

Finding the correct number is the first step before searching any database. Smith & Wesson revolvers feature multiple stamped numbers, which often confuses new owners. Start with the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson

To accurately date your revolver, you generally need to consult the (currently in its 4th Edition) by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. This book contains tables listing serial number ranges by year for almost every model produced.

V1 – V769,000 (WWII production) 1948 to 1967 ("C" Prefix): C1 – C999,999 1968 to 1977 ("D" Prefix): D1 – D999,999 1977 to 1980 ("2D" to "9D" Prefix): 2D00001 – 9D99999 Early J-Frame (Chiefs Special, Model 36, 60, etc.) 1950 to 1969: 1 – 786,544 1969 to 1980 ("R" Prefix): R1 – R300,000

no official online searchable database for Smith & Wesson serial numbers. Because the company used overlapping serial ranges until the 1980s, identification often requires manual cross-referencing. Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Top Recommended Resource

The SWHF is currently unable to provide letters for firearms with "triple-alpha-numeric" serial numbers from 1982 to approximately 2013. It is also important to note that factory records document the initial shipment to a wholesaler or distributor, rarely tracking subsequent private sales.