[Floppy_D]

I picked up a square butted 686-3... anyone know how to tell the age? Anything I need to know? Looks to be in great shape, can wait to try her out!

[moewadle]

against the information in the Catalog of Smith and Wesson?

[Oro]

If you post the S/N or part of it, one of us can look it up for you. There isn't a widely available on-line source.

[moewadle]

to look it up for you in my Catalog of S & W. Post it and I will do that. :)

[Floppy_D]

Is BFL59XX enough data, or do I need to add another digit?

[moewadle]

a 2nd edition of the Catalog of SW, copyright in 2001 and there is a 3rd edition which came out about 2006. So, my information does not give inclusive blocks of numbers but instead for three letter prefixes gives the starting month for blocks of serials. So, here is what I can give you and, I hope, someone with 3rd edition will give you more complete information. My edition says that blocks of serial numbers beginning with BFL1101-BFL1535 began in July 1990. I think it is saying that there were multiple blocks of serials beginning with BFL and all those blocks started with with, or within, the two numbers given above. So, your gun has to be at least born on or after July 1990. The book also briefly explains that there were transition years of 1980-83 for serial numbers in which they were transitioning to serials with three letter prefix and four digit number combinations. Hope this helps. ANYONE OUT THERE WITH A 3RD EDITION WHO CAN ELABORATE A BIT MORE FOR THIS PERSON???

[Floppy_D]

Thanks so far guys!