PLEASE NOTE: At this time we are unable to letter Smith & Wesson firearms with “triple-alpha-numeric” serial numbers that date from 1982 to about 2013.

The factory letter, formally known as the Letter of Authenticity, serves as the authoritative documentation standard for Smith & Wesson firearms provenance. Each letter combines two key elements: a comprehensive historical analysis of the specific model and detailed information drawn from Smith & Wesson’s extensive corporate archives regarding your particular firearm. You can view a sample factory letter here.

For most manufacturing periods, these letters provide precise documentation of your firearm’s original factory specifications, including finish, barrel length, and grip style, along with the initial shipping destination and departure date from our facility. When preserved in our archives, we also include copies of any additional documentation related to your firearm. Read more about this in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Our shipping records typically document the firearm’s initial distribution following manufacture. Subsequent ownership transfers were generally handled through dealer and distributor networks, whose records would contain information about later transactions.

Factory letters are available for $100. Members of the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association or the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation receive a $10 discount, while members of both organizations receive a $25 discount.

For those preferring to submit requests by mail with a paper check, please download and complete our request form, which includes detailed mailing instructions.