Dating a Smith & Wesson Revolver: This list is merely a general guide and not meant to be exact. There is some dispute regarding the dates on some serial numbers. Your gun may actually be a year off from what is listed. The precise shipping date as 'lettered' can be several years off depending on model.
I've been trying to find out the year of a S&W Model 36(no dash) 38 special, 3' barrel, blue. The serial number is 48J3XX Thanks in advance.:cheers: Couldn't find a Model 36 SN that is like yours. 1950-1969 shows 5-6 digit numbers with no letters and 1969-1983 all SN's start with J. Does show that the 36-1 started in 1967. There is a some interesting information listed about the early production models in the 'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3th Edition. Without having to buying it, if you have a Barnes and Nobles in your area they usually stock a copy that you can look. Couldn't find a Model 36 SN that is like yours.
1950-1969 shows 5-6 digit numbers with no letters and 1969-1983 all SN's start with J. Does show that the 36-1 started in 1967.
There is a some interesting information listed about the early production models in the 'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3th Edition. Without having to buying it, if you have a Barnes and Nobles in your area they usually stock a copy that you can look. There is a Barnes & Nobles in town, I'll have to look for that book.
I have had no luck with the sn either. It is plain as day on the bottom of the butt, but like you found it is odd having two numbers, the letter 'J', then 3 numbers. My dad has the info from when he bought it, and it came from a ncsd in the mid 70's when my dad was a constable.
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Dates
Thanks for the info. Thank you for posting this. I have a 36 that by this was made in 1957. I was going to sell it and wanted to know more. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1 1952 = 7369 - = = 55050 - = 117770 - 1 = starts at 2 = ends at 786544 J serial Prefix serial numbers. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.
Smith & Wesson Serial Number Dates J Frame
1969-1970 = J1 - J-1972 = 1J1 - 9-1974 = J100000 - J2-1976 = J250001 - J3-1977 = J370001 - J6-1978 = J610001 - J6-1980 = J670001 - J7 = J760001 - J9 = J915401 - 1J = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX 1955 - 4 screw side plate ends 1957 - stamping of model number at 1 - flat latch ends 1968 - diamond grips end 1975 - heavy barrel standard 1982 - end pinned barrel. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1 1952 = 7369 - = = 55050 - = 117770 - 1 = starts at 2 = ends at 786544 J serial Prefix serial numbers. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50. 1969-1970 = J1 - J-1972 = 1J1 - 9-1974 = J100000 - J2-1976 = J250001 - J3-1977 = J370001 - J6-1978 = J610001 - J6-1980 = J670001 - J7 = J760001 - J9 = J915401 - 1J = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX 1955 - 4 screw side plate ends 1957 - stamping of model number at 1 - flat latch ends 1968 - diamond grips end 1975 - heavy barrel standard 1982 - end pinned barrel Judgin by this then, my dads would be 1971-1972.
Thanks CW.:thumbup.