[Whit]

I got a call from my dealer the other day and he had just got in an order from Lew Horton and to my surprise had ordered me a model 640 without the PC lock. It's serial # is CFA43XX, which makes its' birthday around Dec. of 2001, does that seem about right? I thought the locks started around 2000. Thanks for any help. ....Whit

[Walosi]

There is a point in the production procedure at which a frame must be assigned a serial number. This is just a suppostion, but IF that frame was set aside for the Performance Center, or for anticipated Horton specials, its' release from the factory could be some months later than other frames in that series. The "born on" date is usually the recorded date the gun left the factory, so those set aside for anything other than normal release could easily have an "older" number, and a later release date.

[Whit]

Oops, double tap ....Whit

[Whit]

I also noticed that on the grip-frame what looks like numbers that were put there with an engraver. (not the serial #)Anyone else have this on their guns? Sorry for all the questions,but I haven't bought a new revolver in quite a while. ....Whit

[Whit]

Just to clarify, the numbers are on the bottom of the grip frame. ....Whit

[Walosi]

Only a guess - production guns carry additional numbers, on the side of the grip frame and on the cylinder yoke. These are for assembly control, on normal runs. Since production for Horton specials are short-run, and done out of the usual line, it is probably easier to mark them with an engraver.

[Whit]

Thanks Walosi,
The 640 I bought isn't a Horton edition, just a gun bought through Horton Dist. That makes sense that they are production numbers. ....Whit

[Walosi]

Like I said, purely a guess - Out of curiosity (and poor memory) I pulled the grips off both of my new "with dimple" Smiths, and everything is either laser marked or stamped. The control no. inside the yoke of the 66 is a pin stamp - a series of dots, obviously some sort of automated numbering. The difference, still, is probably that it was a Horton order.