How To Date A Smith And Wesson Revolver?

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

How to Date a Smith and Wesson Revolver

Smith and Wesson revolvers are some of the most iconic and sought-after firearms in the world. They’re known for their reliability, durability, and accuracy. But how can you tell how old a Smith and Wesson revolver is?

In this article, we’ll discuss the different ways to date a Smith and Wesson revolver. We’ll cover everything from serial numbers to markings to the manufacturing process. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to confidently date any Smith and Wesson revolver.

So whether you’re a collector, a gun enthusiast, or just someone who’s curious about the history of Smith and Wesson revolvers, read on!

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|—|—|—|
| Date | Characteristics | How to Date |
| 1857 | First production year | Look for the serial number, which will be stamped on the frame or cylinder. The first three digits of the serial number will indicate the year of production. |
| 1860 | Second production year | Look for the serial number, which will be stamped on the frame or cylinder. The first three digits of the serial number will indicate the year of production. |
| 1861 | Third production year | Look for the serial number, which will be stamped on the frame or cylinder. The first three digits of the serial number will indicate the year of production. |

How to Date a Smith & Wesson Revolver?

Identifying Your Revolver’s Serial Number (SN)

The first step in dating a Smith & Wesson revolver is to identify its serial number. The serial number is typically located on the frame, barrel, or cylinder. It is a unique number that is assigned to each revolver when it is manufactured.

SN Location

The serial number on a Smith & Wesson revolver can be found in a variety of locations. The most common location is on the frame, just below the cylinder. However, the serial number can also be found on the barrel, the cylinder, or the trigger guard.

SN Format

Smith & Wesson revolvers have serial numbers in the format of AAAA-. The first four digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture, and the last digit represents the month of manufacture. For example, a serial number of 1911-03 would indicate that the revolver was manufactured in January of 1911.

SN Dating

The first two digits of the serial number indicate the year of manufacture of a Smith & Wesson revolver. The following table shows the year ranges for each two-digit serial number prefix:

| Serial Number Prefix | Year Range |
|—|—|
| 0001-0399 | 1857-1864 |
| 0400-0799 | 1865-1869 |
| 0800-1199 | 1870-1874 |
| 1200-1599 | 1875-1879 |
| 1600-1999 | 1880-1884 |
| 2000-2399 | 1885-1889 |
| 2400-2799 | 1890-1894 |
| 2800-3199 | 1895-1899 |
| 3200-3599 | 1900-1904 |
| 3600-3999 | 1905-1909 |
| 4000-4399 | 1910-1914 |
| 4400-4799 | 1915-1919 |
| 4800-5199 | 1920-1924 |
| 5200-5599 | 1925-1929 |
| 5600-5999 | 1930-1934 |
| 6000-6399 | 1935-1939 |
| 6400-6799 | 1940-1944 |
| 6800-7199 | 1945-1949 |
| 7200-7599 | 1950-1954 |
| 7600-7999 | 1955-1959 |
| 8000-8399 | 1960-1964 |
| 8400-8799 | 1965-1969 |
| 8800-9199 | 1970-1974 |
| 9200-9599 | 1975-1979 |
| 9600-9999 | 1980-1984 |
| 0000-0399 | 1985-1989 |
| 0400-0799 | 1990-1994 |
| 0800-1199 | 1995-1999 |
| 1200-1599 | 2000-2004 |
| 1600-1999 | 2005-2009

3.Researching Your Revolver’s History

Once you have identified the model and serial number of your revolver, you can begin to research its history. There are a number of online resources available to help you with this, including:

  • Online Resources: There are many websites that offer information about Smith & Wesson revolvers. Some of the most popular resources include:
  • [Smith & Wesson Forum](https://www.smith-wessonforum.com/)
  • [Smith & Wesson Archive](https://www.smith-wesson.com/archive/)
  • [Gun Values Board](https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/)
  • Smith & Wesson Archives: The Smith & Wesson Archives is a valuable resource for information about Smith & Wesson revolvers. The archives contain a wealth of information, including:
  • Photographs
  • Technical drawings
  • Sales records
  • Advertising materials
  • Gun Collectors Clubs: Gun collectors clubs can be a great resource for information about revolvers and their history. Many clubs have libraries or archives that you can access. They also often hold meetings and events where you can meet other collectors and learn more about revolvers.

4.Appraising Your Revolver

The value of a Smith & Wesson revolver depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Condition: The condition of your revolver is one of the most important factors that will affect its value. A revolver in good condition will be worth more than a revolver in poor condition.
  • Rarity: The rarity of your revolver is another factor that will affect its value. A rare revolver will be worth more than a common revolver.
  • Historical significance: The historical significance of your revolver can also affect its value. A revolver that was used by a famous person or in a famous event will be worth more than a revolver that was not.

If you are interested in getting your revolver appraised, there are a number of qualified revolver appraisers available. You can find a list of appraisers in your area by contacting the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the American Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Dating and appraising a Smith & Wesson revolver can be a complex process, but it is also a rewarding one. By following the steps in this guide, you can learn more about your revolver and its history. You can also get a better understanding of its value, which can be helpful if you are considering selling it.

How can I date a Smith and Wesson revolver?

There are a few ways to date a Smith and Wesson revolver. The most common method is to look for the serial number. Smith and Wesson serial numbers are typically stamped on the frame or barrel of the revolver. The serial number can be used to look up the revolver’s manufacture date in the Smith and Wesson factory records.

Another way to date a Smith and Wesson revolver is to look for the model number. The model number is typically stamped on the frame or barrel of the revolver. The model number can be used to look up the revolver’s manufacture date in the Smith and Wesson factory records.

Finally, you can also date a Smith and Wesson revolver by looking at its features. Some features, such as the type of grip, the barrel length, and the sights, can help you narrow down the revolver’s manufacture date.

What are the different ways to date a Smith and Wesson revolver?

There are three main ways to date a Smith and Wesson revolver:

  • Serial number: The serial number is the most common way to date a Smith and Wesson revolver. The serial number can be found on the frame or barrel of the revolver. The serial number can be used to look up the revolver’s manufacture date in the Smith and Wesson factory records.
  • Model number: The model number is typically stamped on the frame or barrel of the revolver. The model number can be used to look up the revolver’s manufacture date in the Smith and Wesson factory records.
  • Features: Some features, such as the type of grip, the barrel length, and the sights, can help you narrow down the revolver’s manufacture date.

What is the serial number format for Smith and Wesson revolvers?

The serial number format for Smith and Wesson revolvers has changed over the years. The following is a list of the different serial number formats used by Smith and Wesson:

  • 1857-1869: 3-digit serial numbers
  • 1870-1880: 4-digit serial numbers
  • 1881-1902: 5-digit serial numbers
  • 1903-1917: 6-digit serial numbers
  • 1918-1940: 7-digit serial numbers
  • 1941-1963: 8-digit serial numbers
  • 1964-Present: 9-digit serial numbers

How do I decode a Smith and Wesson serial number?

To decode a Smith and Wesson serial number, you need to know the serial number format. The following is a guide to decoding Smith and Wesson serial numbers:

  • 1857-1869: The first two digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last digit of the serial number represents the month of manufacture.
  • 1870-1880: The first three digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last two digits of the serial number represent the month of manufacture.
  • 1881-1902: The first four digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last digit of the serial number represents the month of manufacture.
  • 1903-1917: The first five digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last two digits of the serial number represent the month of manufacture.
  • 1918-1940: The first six digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last digit of the serial number represents the month of manufacture.
  • 1941-1963: The first seven digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last digit of the serial number represents the month of manufacture.
  • 1964-Present: The first nine digits of the serial number represent the year of manufacture. The last digit of the serial number represents the month of manufacture.

What are some common mistakes people make when dating Smith and Wesson revolvers?

There are a few common mistakes people make when dating Smith and Wesson revolvers. These include:

  • Mistaking the serial number for the model number: The serial number is not the same as the model number. The serial number is a unique identifier for each revolver, while the model number is a general description of the revolver’s features.
  • Using the wrong serial number format: The serial number format

    dating a Smith and Wesson revolver can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can learn more about your revolver and its history. You can also use this information to determine the value of your revolver and make informed decisions about its care and maintenance.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • The serial number is the most important piece of information for dating a Smith and Wesson revolver.
  • You can also use the barrel date code, cylinder date code, and grip frame date code to date your revolver.
  • The condition of your revolver will also affect its value.
  • By following these steps, you can learn more about your Smith and Wesson revolver and its history.

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