Serial Numbers on Smith and Wesson Firearms

If you own a Smith and Wesson handgun, you might be interested in finding out some more information on your particular gun. Once you locate the serial number, then you are able to do some research and find out a little history on your gun. Below you will find some visual examples of where to look for the serial number on your S&W handgun. You can then use the serial number to find out the Smith & Wesson date manufactured for your particular gun. Keep in mind that many Smith and Wesson guns produced before 1957 did not have a serial number stamped on them. These older guns will take a little more effort to find out their history. For those Smith Wesson with serial numbers, see the pictures below to find where to look.

Locate either 'Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts' or 'Smith & Wesson; Houlton, ME' stamped on the barrel. This identification proves that the handgun is an authentic Smith & Wesson pistol. Locate the serial number on the left side of the pistol's frame. Smith and Wesson Serial Number Date of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1. The 686 no dash you reference, by the advanced serial # (AJV) would indicate manufacture in '85/'86, about the time the -1's were coming out. A new serial number system. The new system consists of four sets of digits separated by a hyphen. The first set is the manufacturers code, the second designates the type of firearm, the third set is the firearms chronological number, the fourth set shows the year of mfg. AYA 1995-2006 Year ser. # end 199516-03-001-95 16-03-800-95. Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers Dates. Smith Wesson Serial Number History. Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Year. Smith & Wesson Serial Number List. Smith & Wesson Revolver Serial Number Chart. Serial Number Smith Wesson. Smith & Wesson Serial Number Chart.

Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Revolvers

Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Pistols

There are some exceptions to the locations shown above for certain S&W pistols. On the Sigma series and the SW99 models, you will find the serial number in the locations shown in the pictures below.

Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Sigma Series

Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - SW99

Once you've located the serial number, then you can try to contact Smith and Wesson and see if they can give you an information about your particular gun like date of manufacture or other specific details. You can try to contact their customer support by phone and see if they would be willing to help you that way. If they are unable (or unwilling) to help over the phone, then you can contact them via writing with information on your S&W pistol, and they will research your particular firearm and send you a written report. You can send them a picture and they can find out more of the background on your gun along with the date manufactured. They will charge you for this service ($50 at the time this was written) and it is probably only worthwhile for older collectible guns which have no serial numbers. If you can find the serial number, then you are better off just trying to call S&W customer service first. If that doesn't work, then you could try to contact a gun shop and see if they can help you. Furthermore, some internet forums are filled with helpful and knowledgeable people that would be happy to help try to interpret the serial number on your handgun. In addition, a book such as: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson written by Jim Supica, Richard Nahas, published 2007, can be used to try to get more information about your gun. This book can be very helpful in finding Smith & Wesson date manufactured information and also general historical information about different S&W firearms. In fact, if you post a message on an internet group asking for help in identifying your particular Smith & Wesson gun, then it is very likely that a member of the group will use this book or something similar when they help. Thankfully, most people will probably have a newer gun with the serial numbers, and it should be relatively easy to get more background information using that number. The old guns without the serial numbers are the ones that can be a little trickier. Regarding old Smith & Wesson guns, below is an interesting video narrated by Jim Supica about an early S&W revolver given to the legendary Teddy Roosevelt.

WWW.RC-TRUCKS.ORG - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2004-2014 - CONTACT US / PRIVACY POLICY

SOLD FOR: $1,111.11
LSB#: 170404DD01

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: 686-3, The .357 Distinguished Combat Magnum Stainless, Product Code 104248

S W Serial Numbers Chart

Serial Number: BBV6159

Year of Manufacture: The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson lists 1988 under the product code section and under Variations has a 1989 retail price. We suspect that it was manufactured in ’88 and retailed in ’89.

Caliber: .357 Magnum

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out, Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”, the right is marked “S.&W. .357 MAGNUM”. The left side of the frame has S&W’s monogram logo, the right side of the frame has the four line Marcas Registradas. The butt is marked with the serial number. The yoke cut is marked with the serial and model number, the yoke and sides of the grip frame have inspector marks.

Barrel Length: 6″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade with red plastic insert integral to a rise in the solid rib. The rear sight is a flat top, white outlined, square notched leaf in a base that is micrometer-click adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: None

Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Manufacture Date

Type of Finish: Midnight Black Stainless

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There appears to be a few marks in the bore… These are no bulges, but there is mild damage to the rifling. Perhaps from a bad cleaning? We have not seen anything of this sort before, but there is no evidence of a bulge visible from the exterior and perhaps this is just very heavy fouling in patches that we were unable to remove?

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The cylinder has a light turn-line, not through the finish, the barrel has a few scattered light marks on the right side. The checkering on the hammer spur and cylinder latch are sharp. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun is in about Excellent condition as missing the grips.

S&w 686 Serial Number Location

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action trigger is smooth and the single action trigger is very crisp. The cylinder has almost no play on each chamber when the trigger is depressed. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a two-piece blue cardboard box with metal reinforced corners. The box is of the correct type for Smith & Wesson, but is completely unmarked. Also included is an aluminum-handle S&W screwdriver, an assortment of factory paperwork including manual, and wax paper. The box has faint wear at some edges and corners, in about Fine-plus condition.

S&w 686 Serial Number Date

Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson 686 needs no introduction. Their full-frame stainless .357 Magnum is a staple in the revolver world, renowned for its quality, durability and style. There are many variations in barrel length, sights, hammer, trigger, etc., but one of the less common variants was a small production run from 1988 with a “Midnight Black” finish on its stainless steel frame and cylinder. One could be forgiven for mistaking it for a 586, but the model number is marked “686-3” and the serial number is in the correct range for the Midnight Black guns. It is in about Excellent condition with 97% of its finish, a bright bore with a couple of spots of light erosion and strong mechanics, though it is missing its grips. This is a great find for the Smith & Wesson collector as production was limited to approximately 2,900 revolvers. Please see our pictures and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This handgun CANNOT be transferred as a dealer sale in California. This handgun CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.