Updated September 2020
Much of the information below was copied and pasted from thehighroad.org and/or northeastshooters.com. I've added some answers to FAQs as well. Because of copyright issues, I'm avoiding information solely provided by the Standard Catalog of S&W.
This in intended to provide information on vintage or discontinued models that may have collector appeal. I'm not going to spend time on Sigmas and the various new M&P models when the S&W website has plenty of info on those.
FAQs:Q: This gun is pre model number e.g. pre-27, pre-10, pre-29. What does that mean?
A: S&W began marking their guns with model numbers in 1958 (change ordered in mid-1957). These did not correlate to anything that came before e.g. a K-38 did not become a Model 38. They also did not appear in strict sequential order. Of course, no S&Ws are marked or were ever advertised as "pre" anything because time doesn't flow in that direction. It's simply a handy way for collectors to refer to otherwise identical guns before S&W marked them with model numbers. Most guns correctly described as "pre" were made after WWII up through 1958. If it's marked with a model number, it's that model, period, and if it's not, it's not a model number gun.
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Q: What does P&R mean?
A: P&R is shorthand for Pinned and Recessed and applies to MAGNUM (.22 Jet, .357, .41, .44) revolvers ONLY. This means the barrel is pinned to the frame (as all S&W revolvers were prior to 1980) and the individual charge holes in the cylinder are counterbored (you'll see this language below) so that the rim of each cartridge is flush with the cylinder. This was originally done with the idea that early magnum cases were not very strong and this offered a little extra insurance. Colt and others never did it and eventually S&W figured it was an unneeded extra step. Collectors love it as it demonstrates overengineering that we don't often see anymore. NON-MAGNUM revolvers will NOT have recessed cylinders, period,
except for the rimfires (.22LR, .22WMR) from the 1930s onward.
Pinned:
Not Pinned:
Recessed:
Not recessed:
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Q: What does IL mean?
A: IL is shorthand for Internal Lock. S&W was purchased by Saf-T-Hammer in 2001; the parent company makes internal locks and proceeded to put them in nearly all newly manufactured S&W revolvers. It does not guarantee it was made after 2001 as S&W does still produce a couple enclosed hammer J frame models without the lock. Collectors nearly unanimously prefer the models without the lock, if both are available, though many S&W models introduced in the 1990s have very few pre-IL examples in the wild.
No IL (2016 manufacture):
IL:
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Q: What does MIM mean?
A: MIM stands for Metal Injection Molding. It's a manufacturing process where small parts with consistent tolerances can be made cheaply and easily. S&W began using MIM parts in the late 1990s. Some S&W models (the 627PC for example) still (mostly) use forged parts, but the majority of their guns have MIM parts from ~1997 onward. Collectors generally prefer pre-MIM guns due to the perceived strength and quality of forged parts. The change to MIM was closed correlated with the switch to CNC frames, but the differences are minor and difficult for all but the most discerning shooter/collector to notice.
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Q: There are a bunch of numbers on my gun. Which one is the serial number?
A: See the pictures below. On older revolvers, it will be on the bottom of the handle (butt) and may require you to remove the grips to see. On newer revolvers, it will be on the frame and visible when the cylinder is opened. Many S&Ws produced before the 1960s will have the serial number also stamped under the barrel (above the ejector rod) and on the back of the cylinder. Keep in mind that while these will all match on an all-original gun, only the number on the butt and/or frame is the actual legal serial number (there was a long period in the mid to late 20th century where it was stamped in both places).
On butt:
On frame:
On barrel:
On cylinder:
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Q: I see references to 3, 4, and 5 screw guns. How many screws does my gun have?
A: This refers to the revolver sideplate and triggerguard screws. All S&W revolvers made after 1962 (but starting in the late 1950s) are 3 screw guns (3 screws in the sideplate --- 1 is often hidden by the grips) with the exception of the Heritage line (~2001-) which re-introduced the top sideplate screw (my Heritage frame 29-8 is pictured above on a stump). For a brief time in the late 1950s, S&W dropped the top sideplate screw but kept the triggerguard screw; these are 4 screw guns. Before this, all S&W revolvers were 5 screw guns except some oddballs and very early guns made around 1900.
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Q: What is a transitional model?
A: This refers to any S&W that has features of a previous revision/model mixed with those from the next. S&W made major changes right after WWII and again in the early 1980s, that's where you find most of these guns. Those after WWII
can be highly collectible, but those from the early 1980s are at best interesting oddities as the deleted features were/are beloved by collectors: the barrel pin and counterbored cylinder.
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Q: What is a Registered Magnum?
A: S&W introduced the very first .357 Magnum revolver in 1935. At the time, it was a boutique gun at a commensurate price. Part of the marketing was that all guns could be custom ordered in barrel lengths of 3.5" to 8.75" and all were "registered" and a certificate would be provided upon the owner's request. Each is stamped with the number on the frame visible with the cylinder open e.g. REG 1234 (but this is NOT the serial number). S&W stopped doing this in the late 1930s; those .357s produced until the start of WWII are called Non-Registered Magnums by collectors. In the early 2000s, S&W produced a special run of Model 27-8 8 shot Registered Magnums as part of their Classics line; they are only related to the originals in frame size, caliber, and the company logo on the gun. These will have a REM serial number prefix.
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Q: How can I tell if my S&W (or one I'm looking at) is all original?
A: This guide would be several pages long if I covered all of that. I'd recommend posting pictures on WaGuns.org asking for help, or on smith-wessonforum.com if you want expert help on something really unique.
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Q: When was my S&W made or shipped?
A: There are
no records of when individual guns were produced by the factory, but there are records of ship dates. Below is a partial list of popular models. Your other options are to ask here (PM me), head to the smith-wessonforum.com and ask there, or simply request a letter from the S&W Historical Foundation.
http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/info.html-----------------------------------------------------
Q: How can I tell if my S&W is rare?
A: See above. Ask an expert, be ready to provide photographs, and be prepared for either surprise or disappointment. In 10 years of helping discern value and rarity on other sites, it's mostly a stream of "my granddad's .38" of which S&W made
millions. Every once in a while it's a really rare example, often from a seller who had no idea or handed down through inheritance. Unless it can be lettered to Elvis or John Wayne you're probably not going to retire on any old S&W, but there are some "one of one" examples collectors are still searching for.
There's ONE 28-1 Highway Patrolman that can be accounted for:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-e ... 8-1-a.htmlS&W made ONE N frame .22LR to match a Registered Magnum, presumed somewhere in California:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-e ... 22-lr.htmlModel marked 20s, 21s, 22s, and 23s are very rare and those with a -1 suffix would be even more so, possibly one of one.
M-13 (not Model 13s) Aircrewman revolvers with USAF markings are very rare.
Model 45s (fixed sight .22 revolvers) are very rare.
Any Model 39 with a factory steel frame is very rare.
Models 44 and 73 are incredibly rare (probably less than 10 of each in the wild, mostly accounted for in museums and collections).
Guns with serial numbers beginning in zero are usually Club Guns and are quite rare.
I'm not listing the "one of one" guns in collections because you're not going to find them
S&W revolver names before World War IIName Caliber Frame
.22 Hand Ejector Ladysmith 22 Long M
.22/32 Target 22 Long Rifle I
.22 Outdoorsman 22 Long Rifle K
.32 Hand Ejector (round Butt) 32 S&W Long I
.32 Regulation Police (Square Butt) 32 S&W Long I
.32-20 Hand Ejector 32-20 Win. K
.38 Military&Police 38 Spl K
.38 Hand Ejector (same as above, with adjustable sights)
.38 Regulation Police (Square Butt) 38 S&W I
.38 Terrier 2" Round Butt 38 S&W I
.38/44 Heavy Duty (fixed sights) 38 Spl N
.38/44 Outdoorsman (Adj. Sights) 38 Spl N
.357 Magnum 357 Mag N
.44 HAnd Ejector Military Model 44 Spl N
.44 Hand ejector Model 1926 44 Spl N (shrouded extractor rod)
.45 U.S. Army Revolver, Model 1917 45 ACP N
.455 Hand ejector British Service 455 Mark II N
Letter designations assigned S&W Revolvers 1900-193032 Double Action R
32 Safety Hammerless G
38 Single Action S
38 Double Action D
38 Safety Hammerless Y
44 Double Action L
22 Hand Ejector M
32 Hand ejector I
38 Military and Police K
44 Hand Ejector N
38 Double Action Perfect P
22 Perfect Single Shot T
35 Automatic A
32 Regulation Police B
38 Regulation Police E
22/32 Heavy Frame Target V
Factory Model/caliber designation begun in 1930s22/32 Target IT22 Square Butt
22/32 Kit Gun IT22 Round Butt
K-22 Masterpiece KT22
32 Hand Ejector I32 Round Butt
32 Regulation Police I32 Square Butt
K-32 Masterpiece KT32
38 Regulation Police I38 Square Butt
38 S&W Terrier I32 Round Butt
38 Military & Police K38
38/44 Heavy Duty N38
K-38 Masterpiece KT38
38/44 Outdoorsman NT38
357 Magnum NT357
1926 Model 44 Military N44
1926 Model 44 Target NT44
1917 Army N45
S&W Model ListingModel / Year Introduced / Year Discontinued / Frame / Caliber / Name
10 1899 K 38 Spl Military & Police
10 HB 1960 K 38 Spl Military & Police Heavy Barrel
11 1936 1965 K 38 S&W Military & Police
12 1953 1986 KA 38 Spl Military & Police Airweight
13 1974 K 357 Mag 357 Magnum M&P
14 1947 1982 KT 38 Spl K-38 Masterpiece
15 1949 KT 38 Spl K-38 Combat Masterpiece
16 1947 1973 KT 32 S&W Long K-32 Masterpiece
17 1946 KT 22 LR K-22 Masterpiece
18 1949 1986 KT 22 LR K-22 Combat Masterpiece
19 1955 KT 357 Mag 357 Combat Magnum
20 1930 1966 N 38 Spl 38/44 Heavy Duty
21 1908 1966 N 44 Spl 1950 Model 44 Military
22 1917 1966 N 45 ACP 1950 Model 45 Army
23 1931 1966 NT 38 Spl 38/44 Outdoorsman
24 1908 1966 NT 44 Spl 1950 Model 44 Target
24 1984 1984 NT 44 Spl 7500 units reintroduced
25 1955 1983 NT 45 ACP 1955 Model 45 Target
25-3 1977 1977 NT 45 Colt 125th Commemorative
25-4 1977 1977 NT 45 Colt 125th Delux Comm
25-5 1978 NT 45 Colt 45 Colt
26 1950 1966 NT 45 ACP 1950 45 Target Light Barrel
27 1935 NT 357 Mag 357 Magnum
28 1954 1986 NT 357 Mag 357 Highway Patrolman
29 1955 NT 44 Mag 44 Magnum
30 1896 1976 I&J 32 S&W Long 32 Hand Ejector
31 1917 I&J 32 S&W Long 32 Regulation Police
32 1936 1974 I&J 38 S&W 38 Terrier
33 1917 1974 I&J 38 S&W 38 Regulation Police
34 1936 I&J 22 LR 22/32 Kit Gun 4" barrel
35 1911 1973 I&J 22 LR 22/32 Target 6" Barrel
36 1950 J 38 Spl 38 Chief Special
37 1952 JA 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Airweight
38 1955 JAC 38 Spl Bodyguard
39 1954 1981 Auto 9mm 9mm Double Action both alloy and steel
39-1 1960 1960 Auto 38 AMU Commonly called M-52A alloy
40 1952 1974 JS 38 Spl Centennial
41 1952 Auto 22 LR 22 Semi-Automatic
41-1 1960 1972 Auto 22 short 22 Short Semi-Auto
42 1953 1974 JAT 38 Spl Centennial Airweight
43 1954 1974 JAT 22 LR 22/32 Kit Gun Airweight
44 1954 1959 Auto 9mm 9mm Semi, Single Action alloy
45 1936 1965 K 22 LR 22 Military & Police
46 1959 1968 Auto 22 LR 22 Semi Auto
47 Experimental number used on several guns
48 1959 1986 KTM 22 WMRF K-22 Masterpiece MRF
49 1959 JC 38 Spl Bodyguard Steel Frame
50 1955 1975 JT 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Target
51 1960 1974 JTM 22 WMRF 22/32 MRF Kit Gun
52 1961 Auto 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Target Steel
52-A See Model 39-1
53 1961 1974 KTC 22 Jet 22 center fire magnum
54 Experimental never issued
55 Experimental never issued
56 1962 1963 KT 38 Spl KTX 38 Became Mod 15 2" bl.
57 1964 NT 41 Mag 41 Magnum
58 1964 1978 N 41 Mag 41 Magnum Military& Police
59 1971 1981 Auto 9mm 14 shot 9mm Semi-Auto Alloy
60 1965 J 38 Spl 38 Chief Special Stainless
61 1970 1973 Auto 22 LR 22 Escort
62 Experimental never issued
63 1977 JT 22 LR 1977 22/32 Kit Gun Stainless
64 1970 K 38 Spl 38 Military&Police Stainless
65 1974 K 357 Mag 357 Mag M&P Stainless
66 1971 KT 357 Mag 357 Combat Mag Stainless
67 1972 KT 38 Spl 38 Combat Masterpiece Stainless
68 1976 1976 KT 38 Spl California Highway Patrol Model Stainless
69 2014 L 44 Mag Combat Magnum Stainless
73 1973 38 Spl C Frame (all but 20 or fewer destroyed, never sold commercially, examples auctioned off in 1990s)
75 Not officially assigned -- used experimentally
76 1968 1974 Auto 9mm Machine Pistol
77 1970 1978 22 cal Air rifle
78 1971 1978 22 Cal CO2 Pellet Pistol
79 1971 1978 177 Cal CO2 Pellet Pistol
80 1975 1978 177 BB CO2 Semi Auto Rifle
New Model Numbering System--------------------------
147-A 1979 1979 9mm 14 shot DA steel frame Model 59
325PD 2003 N 6 shot 45 ACP, 2.5" barrel, Scandium Frame
327 2003 N 8 shot 357 Mag, Scandium Frame, Ti or Stainless cylinder
329PD 2003 N 6 shot 44 Magnum, Scandium Frame, Stainless Brl, Ti Cylinder
340 J 5 shot 357 Magnum, Scandium Frame, shrouded/internal hammer
357PD 2005 2010 NT 41 Mag Scandium Frame Ti cylinder
360 2001 JC 357 Mag Ti cylinder exposed hammer
386 2001 L 357 Mag Alloy Frame
396 L 5 shot 44 Special, 3-1/8" barrel, Aluminum alloy frame
431PD 2004 2005 32H&R Mag Chief's Special Airweight
432PD 2004 2005 JC 32H&R Mag Centennial Airweight
437 2009 2010 JC 38 Spl Chief's Special Airweight
438 2009 2011 JC 38 Spl Bodyguard Airweight
439 1979 9mm 8 shot DA Semi Auto Alloy
442 1993 JC 38 Spl Centennial Airweight
459 1979 9mm 14 shot DA Semi Auto Alloy
460 2003 X 5 shot 460 S&W Magnum
469 1983 9mm 12 Shot DA Semi Auto Alloy
500 2003 X 5 shot 500 S&W Magnum
520 1980 1980 N 357 Mag, Fixed Sights
539 1980 1983 9mm 8 shot DA semi auto Carbon Steel
544 1986 NT 44-40 Texas Sesquicentennial Commemorative
547 1980 1985 K Steel 9mm Military & Police
559 1980 1983 Auto 9mm 14 shot DA Semi Auto Carbon Steel
581 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Service Magnum
586 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Combat Magnum
610 N 10 mm, 6 shot, stainless
617 1989 KT 22LR K-22 Masterpiece Stainless full underlug
619 2005 2006 L 357 Mag 7 shot cylinder underlug deleted fixed sights
620 2005 2009 L 357 Mag 7 shot cylinder underlug deleted adj sights
624 1985 1986 NT 44 Spl 1985 Target Stainless
625 N 45 ACP and 45 Colt Stainless
627 N 357 Magnum, Stainless
629 1979 NT 44 Mag Stainless
629 Classic N 44 Mag, Stainless, full underlug
631 1990 JTM 32H&R Mag or 327 Mag Stainless
632 1991 1992 JM 32H&R Mag Stainless
637 1989 JC 38 Spl Chief's Special Airweight Stainless
638 1989 JC 38 Spl Bodyguard Airweight Stainless
639 1982 Auto 9mm 8 shot DA Semi Auto Stainless
640 1989 JC 38 Spl or 357 Mag Centennial Stainless
642 1990 JC 38 Spl Centennial Airweight Stainless
645 1985 Auto 45ACP DA Semi Auto Stainless
647 2003 2004 KT 17 Mag Stainless
648 1989 KT 22 WMR Stainless
649 1985 JC 38 Spl Bodyguard Stainless
650 1982 JM 22 WMRF Service Kit Gun Stainless
651 1982 JTM 22 WMRF Target Kit Gun Stainless
657 N 41 Magnum, 6 shot, Stainless
659 1982 Auto 9mm 14 shot DA semi Auto Stainless
669 1985 Auto 9mm 12 shot DA Semi Auto Stainless
681 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Service Mag Stainless
686 1980 L 357 Mag Distinguished Combat Mag Stainless
686+ L 357 Mag, 7 shot cylinder, Stainless
696 1996 2002 L 44 Spl 5 shot cylinder Stainless
929 2014 NT 9mm 8 shot Ti cylinder Stainless
940 1991 JC 9mm Centennial Stainless
986 2014 L 9mm 7 shot cylinder Stainless
BG 38 2010 38 Spl Bodyguard polymer frame
SW1911 2003 45 ACP 1911
Governor 2011 Z 45 ACP/45 Colt/410
Model and Dash numbering system--------------------------------
Model 10
-1 1959 Heavy Barrel
-2 1961 Changed extractor rod thread to LH on standard barrel
-3 1961 Same as above, for heavy barrel
-4 1962 Screw in front of trigger eliminated
-5 1962 1/10" to 1/8" front sight, on standard barrel
-5 1962 Screw in front of trigger guard eliminated on heavy barrel model
-7 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-8 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder on heavy barrel model
Model 12 1957
-1 1962 Change extractor rod to LH thread, eliminate screw in front of trigger guard
-2 1962 Front sight changed from 1/10" to 1/8"
-3 1977 Gas ring on yoke to cylinder
-4 1984 Change frame thickness to same as all K frames
Model 13
-1 1974 Introduced
-2 1977 Change back to gas ring on cylinder
-3 1982 eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 14,15,16,17,18,48,53 (all start without dash in 1957)
-1 1959 Change to LH extractor rod thread
-2 1961 Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger guard eliminated
-3 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
-4 1977 Changed gas ring from yoke to cylinder
19 All of the above changes and
-5 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
N-Frame Models------------------
Model 20,21,22,23,24,25 (except 25-3,5,7) 26,27,28,29
-1 1960 Change to LH thread
-2 1961 Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger guard eliminated
-3 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore (magnums only)
Model 21
-4 2004 Thunder Ranch 44 Special, fixed sight
Model 27
-4 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/ floating hand
-5 1990 Improved cylinder stop notches
-6 1993 1994 Hogue grips, drill and tap frame, change rear sight leaf, change extractor
-7 2000 8 shot Special run for Bangers
-8 8 shot special run of "Registered Magnums"
-9 6 shot Classic model, new 4-screw IL frame, Altamont grips
Model 29
-4 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/ floating hand
-5 1990 Improved cylinder stop notches, bolt strengthened
-6 1994 Rounded rear sight, drilled and tapped for scope mount
-7 1998 Change to MIM trigger/hammer and move firing pin from hammer to frame mounted
-8 2001 IL introduced (most if not all of these are Heritage 4 screw frames)
-9 Cosmetic changes
-10 Cosmetic changes
Model 57 1964 Introduced
-1 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 327
Model 627 1988 Introduced
-0 Improved cylinder stop notches
-1 1993 Drilled and tapped for scope mount (very few produced)
-2 1998 CNC frame (very few produced)
-PC 1998 Performance Center 8 shot (very few produced)
-3 1999 8 shot
-4 2001 38 Super 8 shot
-5 2001 IL introduced 8 shot
Model 629 1980 Introduced
-1 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
-2 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/ floating hand
-3 1990 Improved cylinder stop notches, bolt strengthened
-4 1990 Full underlug barrel, drilled and tapped for scope mount
-5 1997 CNC frame, MIM parts
-6 2001 IL introduced
Model 25-5 1978
-3 means 45 Colt caliber 125th Anniversary model while -5 (standard) -4 (deluxe 125th Anniversary, engraved and inlaid, quite rare); both of these used a shorter than standard cylinder.
-7 1985 45 Colt, 5" barrel, unfluted cylinder
K-Frame Stainless Models------------------------
64 1970 introduced
-1 1972 Heavy barrel
-2 1977 2" standard barrel, gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-3 1977 Same as above, for heavy barrel
65 -1 1974 introduced
-2 1977 gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-3 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
66 1971 introduced
-1 1977 Gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-2 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
67 1972 introduced
-1 1977 gas ring from yoke to cylinder
Semi Automatic Models------------------------
39 1957 start of model numbering system (approximately 1600 made before model numbers began)
-1, 1961 Made in 38 AMU cartridge for military (87 made).
52-A -2 1971 Change of extractor
41 1957 start of model numbering system
-1 1960 22 Short chambering (dash number not always stamped)
52 1961 introduced
-1 1963 Single action only
-2 1971 Changed extractor
52-A See model 39-1
59 1971 introduced, no dash numbers used during production
61 1970 introduced in March
-1 May '70 Add magazine safety
-2 Sep '70 Addition of barrel nut
-3 1971 Forged Al frame
76 1968 introduced, discontinued 1974 no dash numbers used
Small Frame Revolvers---------------------
Models 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
1957 Start of numbering system
-1 1961 Change from I frame to J frame
36 -1 1967 Indicates 3" heavy barrel
37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 49, 63, 649, 650, 651
No dash numbers used on above numbers
60 1965 Introduced
-1 1972 Heavy barrel variation made in 1972, not marketed limited production only