help with a DOB on a S&W

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sako_75

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Can someone please help me with a DOB on an S&W model 18-3 ser 1k83xx?
Once upon a time I knew what year this gun was manufactured, but have since forgetten. :confused:

Thanks
 
Looks like 1968 - which is ignoring the "1" in front of the ''K''.

Ah.... Ya' can't ignore the "1" :eek:

Serial number 1K 8,3xx was made in 1970. The "K" serial number series ended that year at K 999,999. The 18-3 version was introduced in 1967.
 
Is there any ryme or reason to S&W serial numbers?

Maybe, but only their computers know about it... :rolleyes:

As I understand it, it used to be that the machine that stamped the serial number (usually on the butt) could only go to 999,999. After that they had to start over, so in the beginning they used a letter prefix. They'd done this before just before World War Two, when they created the "K" series for their new K-22 Outdoorsman revolver, which eventually became the model 17.

Following World War Two just about every model got some kind of a letter prefix. But to confuse things they would make and serial number frames and put them into inventory. Then they'd draw them out to make revolvers, and much of the time several different models would be all mixed up together within a particular serial number series. Then in 1980-83 they started a three-letter/4-number sequence. This made it easier to stamp the number on the frame behind the yoke. This came about when they started using more stocks that covered the bottom of the butt, making it necessary to remove the grips to read the number. Now I'm not sure where they are at. I'm not sure they know themselves... :banghead:
 
thanks for the history lesson. Is there a book available that lists time of manufacture for all of the serial numbers?
 
thanks for the history lesson. Is there a book available that lists time of manufacture for all of the serial numbers?


Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.

A new (third edition) will be out early next year.

Go to: www.armchairgunshow.com and www.armsbid.com for more information.

Understand that because of the way S&W numbered frames (not guns) sometimes an exact date cannot be determined, except by writing to Smith & Wesson's factory historian, Mr. Roy G. Jinks and requesting a records search. There is a reasonable fee of $30.00 for this service. For more information, go to: www.smith-wesson.com.
 
another S&W date?

Old Fuff (or others):

How about a 3-inch Model 65-3 with s/n 7D88xxx. Guessing 1980s, but would love to know a more precise date range.

Thanks
 
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