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Author Topic: Age of pistol  (Read 1009 times)

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Offline cbourbeau32

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Age of pistol
« on: December 05, 2008, 05:27:22 PM »
Is there a way to use the serial # to determine the age of my model 36 pistol. I know on my Handi rifles one of the letters in the serial # designates the year of manufacture. Charlie
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2008, 04:01:05 AM »
There are a couple of options:  write to S&W; or, post the first three or four characters of the serial number followed by "Xs" for the remaining numbers and give the complete model number including the dash number if any.  Someone here will look it up in "The Standard Catalog of Smith& Wesson" for you.

-Don
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Offline cbourbeau32

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2008, 06:59:36 AM »
87J4XX

It is a 2" barrel model 36. Is that enough info? Thanks, Charlie
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2008, 07:57:08 AM »
Not for me.  There certainly are some guys who are more familiar with the numbering system.  Take a look under the crane when you have the cylinder opened and give me the numbers there. 

I think a "J" in the number puts it between 1971 and 1972, but there should be a "J" at the beginning as well.

-Don
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Offline cbourbeau32

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2008, 08:46:35 AM »
On the frame it says Model 36 and on the part that folds down it says 171XX, it also has a 16 with a circle around it and another pair of characters taht look like G5 or 65. The first character is not stamped very clearly. If I had to guess I would say it is the letter G though. Thanks, Charlie
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2008, 08:54:49 AM »
Is there a screw on the side plate high up near the hammer?
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Offline cbourbeau32

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2008, 08:57:05 AM »
No, only the one that holds the cylinder release. I took the grip off and the same 171XX # is there and the same 2 digit stamp as well. It is clearly G5. There is also a N stamped there in a larger font that the rest of the stamping. Charlie
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2008, 09:00:55 AM »
Look on the right side of the frame for that screw.

Message coming.

-Don
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2008, 09:35:25 AM »
I think we'll call it 1972.  Pinned barrel, new thumbpiece, three-screw.  The "J" serial numbering is confusing in the S&W catalog, but I think that's right.

If anyone knows better, please chime in.  I'm new at this.

-Don
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Offline mattmillerrx

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2008, 10:03:13 AM »
See if you can help me out as well,  I have a 686 with the following serial abb2xxx.  Appreciate the help.
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Offline dbriannelson

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2008, 11:53:44 AM »
Oct or Nov 1982.  An early one. 

-Don
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Offline *ROCK-MAN*

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2009, 01:24:31 PM »
How about a Model 586 no dash with ACK1XXX ?
Thanks,
Rock
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Offline *ROCK-MAN*

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Re: Age of pistol
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2009, 01:42:14 PM »
Anyone mind helping me out here?
Thanks,
Rock
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