As of 2025, the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation is actively working to digitize millions of original hand-written ledgers. The ultimate goal is a fully searchable, online . However, that project is massive and years from completion. Until then, the physical Standard Catalog and the community-driven S&W Forum remain the best tools.
Some examples of Smith & Wesson revolver serial numbers and their corresponding production dates: smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
: If your revolver has oversized or wrap-around wood target stocks, you must carefully remove them to see the number on the frame. As of 2025, the Smith & Wesson Historical
The true, official serial number on a Smith & Wesson revolver is almost always located on the . 1. The Butt of the Grip Until then, the physical Standard Catalog and the
In 1980, Smith & Wesson unified its manufacturing tracking by introducing a standardized (e.g., ABC1234). This system eliminated frame-specific prefixes and created a single, continuous database for all modern production. 2. Where to Find the Serial Number on Your Revolver
This book is the starting point for any collector. It offers lists of serial number ranges, production notes, and pricing information. When seeking a quick answer from the S&W community, members will often reference this book to provide a date estimate. The latest editions contain the most up-to-date serial number tables, especially for modern production.
Following WWII, S&W introduced letter prefixes to help distinguish frames. Common examples include the "K" prefix for medium-frame revolvers and "V" for the wartime "Victory" models.