The definitive database for these firearms is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. Now in its fourth edition, this book contains hundreds of pages of serial number tables, production changes, and engineering variations. It is considered the industry bible for collectors. Official S&W Historical Letters
Collectors seeking the most detailed access should consider joining the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association (SWCA) . Membership provides access to an even more extensive, member-only database that includes detailed shipping dates for a vast number of revolvers. This can often help members narrow down a shipping date to within a year or two.
Mostly numeric sequences, often unique only to a specific model or frame size, leading to overlap. WWII (Victory Models): Characterised by a Post-WWII to 1980s:
: The S&WHF offers a Letter of Authenticity service for a fee (typically around $100). This letter provides the exact shipping date and original destination of your specific firearm. smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
To help give you the most accurate manufacturing date or details, could you share a few specifics about your firearm? Please let me know:
While you need a guide or expert to pinpoint exact dates, understanding how S&W used prefixes and letters can help you roughly bracket the decade your revolver was produced:
Smith & Wesson serial numbers have evolved over time, moving from purely numeric to complex alphanumeric systems. The definitive database for these firearms is the
For historical, vintage, or rare firearms, you can request an official historical letter through the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation.
S&W revolver serial numbers can be complex, but understanding the system can help you decode them. Here's a breakdown:
While a database gives you a range , a Factory Letter gives you the truth . For high-value collectibles, a letter is mandatory. The S&WHF does provide searchable indexes for members, but for the casual user, third-party databases are more accessible. Official S&W Historical Letters Collectors seeking the most
Built for the war effort, these revolvers feature a V or VS prefix.
On older models, the serial number was often stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.