[boatdoc]

I have a S&W Model 49 steel frame and 1.75 inch barrel that I picked up from a guy who kept it in his truck or tackle box. It only had 4 rust spots and locks up tight with an excellent bore, even after years of abuse. I was hoping someone could help me with year of manufacture. The serial number on the frame is 129XX. The number 4J3XXX is on the bottom of the butt.

[moewadle]

of the Standard Catalog of SW but it says the Model 49 Bodyguard was made circa 1959-1996. In 1983 the serial number block started with 1J8601 to xxxx as the book says. So, using the serial of the gun that is the number on the butt your gun must have been made after 1983 and not after 1996(unless a few were made in 1997). The newest edition of the catalog would possibly get the year of manufacture a little more precise. To clarify, the number on the butt is the serial number of the gun.

[boatdoc]

Thanks for clarifying which is the serial number for me. I'll keep looking with the info you gave me.

[DAdams]

Model 49 J Serial Prefix.

1983 1J18601-xxxx

No reference to a 4J series.

If you forget about the "4" and just go with the J3XXX it would fall into the 1975-1977 range and likely 75 or 76 not 77.