user wants a long article about the "Smith and Wesson revolver serial numbers database". This likely covers how to use such databases, their importance, history, and resources. I need to provide a comprehensive guide. I'll search for relevant information. search results provide some leads. I'll open result 0, result 1, result 2, result 3, result 4, result 0, result 1, result 2, result 3, result 4, result 5, result 6, result 7, result 8, result 9, result 0, result 1, result 2, result 3, result 4, result 5, result 6, result 7, result 8, result 9, result 0, result 1, result 2, result 3, result 4, result 5. search results provide a good amount of information. I'll also search for "Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson serial number tables".'ll also search for "Smith and Wesson revolver serial number location".'ll also search for "Smith and Wesson revolver serial number database online".'ll also search for "Smith and Wesson Victory Model database"., I'll compile the article. It will cover: the importance of serial numbers, types of databases (free online, books, forums, official records), how to interpret serial numbers, and other key information. I'll use the search results for key dates, prefixes, and other details. The article will be structured with sections: Introduction, Locating Serial Numbers, The Evolution of S&W Serial Numbering, The S&W Revolver Serial Numbers Database, Using the Databases (including tables), Official Documentation (Historical Letters), Community and Model-Specific Databases, and a Conclusion. serial number on your Smith & Wesson revolver is more than just a unique identifier—it's the key to unlocking its history. For collectors, law enforcement officers, and owners alike, tracing this number can reveal the revolver's birth date, its original factory specifications, and even its initial journey out of the Springfield, Massachusetts factory. However, contrary to what many might hope, there is no single, all-encompassing official database for every S&W revolver ever made. Instead, researchers rely on a combination of tools and dedicated communities.
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.
Visit the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation or the S&W factory website. smith and wesson revolver serial numbers database
The absolute definitive "database" for S&W serial numbers is a physical book: . Currently in its 4th edition, this book contains extensive tables detailing serial number ranges by year, model variations, production quantities, and evaluation values. Serious owners view this book as essential. 2. Official Factory History Letters
There is no single public website that contains a complete, searchable database of every S&W serial number. The "database" exists primarily in the form of the . user wants a long article about the "Smith
The database whirred. Every Smith & Wesson serial number tells a story: the "C" prefix on a Model 10 might signal a post-WWII hammer block safety; a low digit on a 1905 Hand Ejector marks the dawn of a new era in law enforcement.
– Many databases list "dash numbers" (e.g., Model 29-2, 29-3). These indicate minor revisions and help narrow down the production window. I'll search for relevant information
Here is everything you need to know about tracing the history of your Smith & Wesson revolver. Why Isn't There a Digital S&W Database?
Because no public digital database exists, the definitive source for dating almost any Smith & Wesson firearm is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas.
Mostly numeric sequences, often unique only to a specific model or frame size, leading to overlap. WWII (Victory Models): Characterised by a Post-WWII to 1980s: