Introduction
Few topics are more confounding to new (and some experienced!) collectors than the question of a Smith & Wesson serial number. Many S&W firearms have a number of markings on them that may or may not have anything to do with the gun’s legal serial number.
What is a serial number?
A serial number on a firearm serves as a unique identifier that plays a crucial role in manufacturing records, legal compliance, and ownership tracking. This numeric or alphanumeric code, typically stamped on the frame of the firearm, allows Smith & Wesson to maintain detailed records about each arm that it produces. For firearm owners, law enforcement, and collectors, the serial number provides essential information for determining the gun’s history, verifying authenticity, facilitating insurance claims, and ensuring compliance with federal and state firearms regulations. Understanding how to locate and interpret your Smith & Wesson’s serial number is fundamental to responsible firearm ownership and can be invaluable for maintenance, legal documentation, and establishing provenance.
The Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation strongly suggests that you carefully document the serial numbers of all of your firearms, and that this information be stored in a safe place.
I see a number of markings on my gun. Which one is the serial number?
For Smith & Wesson revolvers, the serial number of record will always be located on the bottom of the grip frame. The only exception to this are a few of the .22 and .32 caliber revolvers from the early 20th century that have the serial number on the front strap of the grip frame. Any letters that appear on the bottom of the grip frame are a part of the serial number, even though they may be spaced a bit from the numbers.
For Smith & Wesson pistols, the serial number will generally be located on the side of the frame. The only exception to this are the Model of 1913 and Model of 1924 pistols, which have a numeric serial number stamped into the front of the grip frame.
This is the serial number
On a Smith & Wesson revolver, the serial number will always be stamped on the bottom (or in some rare cases, on the front) of the grip frame. The number shown here is purely numeric, but in some instances you'll also see one or more letters. These letters are part of the serial number.
This is probably NOT the serial number
In most cases, this is an assembly number that was used during manufacturing to keep certain hand-fitted parts matched together as they went through their respective manufacturing processes. At some points in history Smith & Wesson would stamp the serial number here, but it is always advisable to check the grip frame. Assembly numbers were not recorded in the factory records and are of no use to us.
I don't see a number on the bottom of my revolver's grip.
Some Smith & Wesson revolvers are fitted with grips/stocks that cover the bottom of the grip frame. The most notable example of this are the large checkered wood target stocks that came into vogue in the 1950s, and are still found on some Smith & Wesson revolvers today. These grips would need to be (carefully!) removed to see the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame.
I see some numbers stamped inside the yoke cut of the frame of my revolver. What are those numbers?
The meaning of the numbers stamped on the inside of the yoke cut of the frame has changed over the years.
More often than not, the number(s) that appear there are assembly numbers that were used during manufacturing to keep certain hand-fitted parts together as they went through their respective manufacturing and finishing processes. The assembly numbers were assigned randomly and had no connection to the model, serial number, or any other distinguishing feature of the firearm. We are not able to look up assembly numbers in the records.
Sometimes Smith & Wesson would stamp the model number here. In the late 1950s Smith & Wesson shifted from model names to model numbers, and they would often stamp the model number here. An example would be “MOD 36,” which would mean “Model 36.” A model number may also be followed by a dash and a second number (eg: “MOD 36-2”), which simply means that this is the second engineering variant of the Model 36.
Smith & Wesson’s earliest .357 Magnum revolvers (known to collectors as the “Registered Magnum”) had a registration number stamped here. For example: REG 3000 would be registration number 3000.
At times, Smith & Wesson has also stamped the serial number here. It’s best to check the bottom of the grip frame, though, because the assembly number can look a lot like a serial number.
It’s worth mentioning that Colt often stamps the serial number of their revolvers in the yoke cut of the frame, which adds to the confusion.
Is the serial number located anywhere else on the revolver?
For many years, it was Smith & Wesson’s practice to stamp the serial number on the bottom of the barrel (you will probably need to open the cylinder to see this) and on the back of the cylinder near the circumference.
With the top break revolvers of the 19th and early 20th century, the serial number would also be stamped on the inside of the barrel catch, and on one of the barrel catch horns that the latch engages with. These serial numbers are very small and you may need a magnifying glass to see them.
Grip Frame
The serial number stamped on the grip frame is the serial number of record for the firearm. This is important for licensed dealers, since this is the number that should be recorded in your acquisition/disposition book. Make sure to include any letters.
Cylinder
Some Smith & Wesson cylinders were serial numbered on the back near the circumference.
Barrel
Some Smith & Wesson barrels were serial numbered on the bottom of the barrel flat.
What does it mean if the serial numbers on the barrel, cylinder, and/or frame are mismatched?
This generally means that the gun is an assemblage of parts that came from several different firearms.
What if I don't see a serial number of the barrel and/or cylinder?
Smith & Wesson’s practice of stamping the serial number on the barrel and cylinder changed over the years. A lack of serial number on the barrel and/or cylinder isn’t necessarily a problem.
I see a star next to the serial number. What does that mean?
For many decades, Smith & Wesson would stamp a star (☆) symbol next to the serial number after a major service was completed on the firearm—often (but not always) a refinishing job. The factory would usually stamp a date code on the inside of the grip frame denoting the month and year of the service.
If I email you the serial number of my firearm, can you tell me what I have?
In many instances, the serial number alone is not sufficient to identify a Smith & Wesson firearm.
Until the 1940s, Smith & Wesson used overlapping serial number ranges for its various models. The serial number 100,000 could apply to any one of thirteen different models—each with a completely different shipping date.
In the 1940s, Smith & Wesson began to use a single letter prefix with some of its revolver models. This helps with identification; the serial number V100,000 could only be a .38 Military & Police Victory or a .38/200 British Service Revolver. But even then, we sometimes require additional information to correctly identify a particular firearm.
In 1980, Smith & Wesson began shifting to the triple-alpha-numeric serial number system. This uses the format AAA1111—three letters followed by four digits. By the mid-1980s, Smith & Wesson had moved all of its firearms to this numbering scheme, which remains in use today. These serial numbers are unique across the entire product line and are more useful for identifying a particular firearm.
If you’re not sure what model of firearm you have, it’s best to email us a single clear photo of the gun and the serial number.