
Small frame revolvers - I frame and J frame - did not have a letter prefix in the serial number until 1969. The ‘S’ numbers on N frame guns lasted until late 1969, when they were discontinued at S333454 and were replaced with ‘N’ prefixes, beginning with N1. There was no conflict with the ‘S’ prefix assigned to fixed sight K frame guns because the N frame numbers were much lower, continuing a number sequence for prewar N frame guns that did not have a prefix. Meanwhile, N frame revolvers were given an ‘S’ prefix for the serial sequence. It was replaced with a ‘D’ prefix in 1968. The ‘C’ prefix remained in use for those revolvers until C999999 was reached at the end of 1967. No one seems to know why it was a ‘C’ and not some other letter, but ‘K’ had already been chosen for the target K frame series and ‘C’ apparently seemed a logical choice for the fixed sight K frame guns.

So, in March, 1948, the company needed a new letter prefix for the. Antique Smith and Wesson Revolvers Civil War, Frontier Smith & Wesson.32 -.41 Revolvers. Gun has approximately 85% bright original blue. Locate the serial number on the left side of the pistol's frame. This identification proves that the handgun is an authentic Smith & Wesson pistol. Locate either 'Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts' or 'Smith & Wesson Houlton, ME' stamped on the barrel. The serial number on S&W wheel guns is found on the bottom butt strap of your gun. Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson is the bible and source book of S&W's. S&W had a policy of never going to more than 6 numeric digits in a serial number sequence.) (By “ran out,” I mean they reached 999,999. When the war ended and civilian production picked up again, the postwar Military & Police revolvers got a simple ‘S’ prefix until the Victory number series ran out. So late war Victory models had an ‘SV’ prefix.

Near the end of that run, an internal change was made in the lockworks, which was designated by an ‘S’. 38 caliber revolvers were made during the 1942-1945 period. This was the beginning of the ‘V’ (for Victory) prefix. Smith Wesson Serial Numbers Manufacture Date.

