- As gearchecker says, the 25 is probably a rack number. And we look up the serial number ranges in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, fourth edition. That gives us manufacture dates but not shipping dates. To get the actual shipping date, you can request an historians letter of authenticity from the S&W historical Foundation.
- Smith and Wesson Serial Number Date of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup. Results filtered. 00000 n Post by stewtotheloo » Wed Oct 16, 2013 3:15 am Just picked my first smith and wesson, can anyone help date this serial number- AJZ74XX thanks stew. Smith and wesson can look up the approximate date your.
- Look up the pistol's full serial number - including all letters and numbers - in the back section of the 'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' book. These listings inform you of the pistol's date of manufacture, based on the serial number.
Smith and Wesson Serial Number Date of Manufacture J Frame Revolver Lookup. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions. 1950 = start at 1 1952 = 7369 - = = 55050 - = 117770 - 1 = starts at 2 = ends at 786544 J serial Prefix serial numbers. For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.
| Smith & Wesson Model 36 | |
|---|---|
Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver, which was issued to women in the New South Wales Police Force | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | $110.00 (blued) (1976) $121.00 (nickel) (1976) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 19.5 oz. |
| Length | 6.22' |
| Barrel length | 2' or 3' |
| Caliber | .38 Special |
| Action | Double Action/Single Action |
| Effective firing range | 25 yards (23 m) |
| Maximum firing range | 50 yards (46 m) |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Fixed rear, front blade (Model 36); adjustable rear, fixed front (Model 50) |
The Smith & Wesson Model 36 (also known as the Chief's Special) is a revolver chambered for .38 Special. It is one of several models of J-frame revolvers. It was introduced in 1950, and is still in production in the classic blued Model 36 and the stainless steel Model 60.
History[edit]
The Model 36 was designed in the era just after World War II, when Smith & Wesson stopped producing war materials and resumed normal production. For the Model 36, they sought to design a revolver that could fire the more powerful (compared to the .38 Long Colt or the .38 S&W) .38 Special round in a small, concealable package. Since the older I-frame was not able to handle this load, a new frame was designed, which became the J-frame.
The new design was introduced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) convention in 1950, and was favorably received. A vote was held to name the new revolver, and the name 'Chiefs Special' won.[1][2] A 3-inch (76 mm) barreled version design went into production immediately, due to high demand. It was available in either a blued or nickel-plated finish.[3] It was produced as the 'Chiefs Special' until 1957, when it then became the Model 36. The 'Chiefs Special' continued to be manufactured as a separate variant.
In 1951, Smith & Wesson introduced the Airweight Model 37, which was basically the Model 36 design with an aluminum frame and cylinder. The aluminum cylinders proved to be problematic and were abandoned in favor of a steel cylinder.[3]
In 1989, Smith & Wesson introduced the LadySmith variant of the Model 36. This was available with 2 in (51 mm) or 3 in (76 mm) barrel and blued finish. This model also featured special grips designed specifically for women, and had 'LADYSMITH' engraved on the frame.[4]
Approximately 615 Model 36-6 Target variations were produced. This variant had a 3-inch full lug barrel with adjustable sights and a blued glass finish.
In 2002, Smith & Wesson reintroduced the Model 36 with gold features (hammer, thumbpiece, extractor, and trigger), calling it the 'Model 36 Gold'. The gold color was actually titanium nitride.
In 2005, Smith & Wesson produced the 'Texas Hold 'Em' variant. This was produced with a blued finish, imitation ivory grips, and 24k gold plate engraving.
Many Model 37 variants with a lanyard ring attached were made for Japan. Part of this contract was cancelled, resulting in many of these being sold to a wholesaler, who then re-sold them for civilian use. These entered the civilian market in 2001. In 2006, the Model 37 was dropped from Smith & Wesson's catalog.
Serial number 337 was shipped to J. Edgar Hoover and is engraved with his name.
In 1958, Spanish manufacturer Astra developed a high quality revolver line based on this weapon, under the name of Astra Cadix, Astra 250 and Astra NC6.
Design and features[edit]
Designed to be small and compact, the Model 36 has been produced with 2-inch (1.875 inch actual length) or 3-inch barrels with fixed sights. A version with an adjustable rear sight, the Model 50 Chief's Special Target, was also produced in limited numbers with both 2-inch and 3-inch barrels.
Like nearly all other 'J-frame' Smith & Wesson revolvers, it has a 5-round capacity in a swing-out cylinder, and features an exposed hammer. It features a nickel-plated or blued finish and either wood or rubber grips.
Users[edit]
- Japan: Shipped 5,344 Model 37s in 2003[5]and additional 5,519 in 2005 for the National Police Agency.[6]
- Malaysia: From 1970 to 2000, the Model 36 is standard sidearm for plainclothed detective in Royal Malaysian PoliceSpecial Branch or Criminal Investigation Division before Glock 17 adoption. It also used by RELA Corps Medium/Lower Rank Officer (permanent or volunteer) as training or self-defence weapon before the adoption of the Glock 19/26 and HK USP 9mm and is still used until today.
- Malta: It was standard issue for the Mobile Squad in the Malta Police Force until the arrival of the Glock 17 in 2007. They have since then been withdrawn from active carry, but they are still all being kept in the General Police Headquarters in Floriana.
- Norway: Although never a standard service gun in Norway, it is kept in the Norwegian Police Service inventory as a pure self-defensive option, for off-duty officers who meet certain criteria.
- South Korea: In 1974, it was used in the failed attempt to assassinate South Korean president Park Chung-hee, killing his wife Yuk Young-soo instead. Five years later, M36 Chief Special was, once again, used to assassinate Park.
- United States: For many years, the Model 36 was the standard police detective and 'plainclothes man' carry weapon for many police agencies including the NYPD. Many police officers still use it or one of its newer Smith & Wesson descendants as a 'back up' weapon to their primary duty pistol or as their 'off-duty' weapon. For several years in the mid-1970s, the Model 36 was issued to and carried as a duty weapon by administrative and command staff of the NC State Highway Patrol, but it was later replaced when all troopers were required to carry the then duty issue weapon, the S&W Model 66 .357, which was in turn later replaced with the last Smith revolver, the Model 686, before the agency switched to semi-automatics in the early 1990s.
References[edit]
- ^Ayoob, Massad. Greatest Handguns of the World (Krause Publications, Inc., 2010) p. 208
- ^Jinks, Roy G. History of Smith & Wesson (Beinfeld Publishing,1977), p. 225.
- ^ abArmed for Personal Defense by Jerry Ahern
- ^'Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson' By Jim Supica, Richard Nahas
- ^'Department of State Letter on May 18, 2003'(PDF). US Department of State. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
- ^'US Department of State Letter on September 6, 2005'(PDF). US Department of State. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smith & Wesson Model 36. |
The 686 no dash you reference, by the advanced serial # (AJV) would indicate manufacture in '85/'86, about the time the -1's were coming out.
| Smith & Wesson Model 686 | |
|---|---|
A Smith & Wesson Model 686, with a 100 mm (4 in) barrel. | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1980 |
| Produced | 1981–1999, 2012–present |
| Variants | |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.25 kg (2.8 lb) |
| Length | 305 mm (12.0 in) |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | |
| Caliber | .38 |
| Action | Double action and single action |
| Feed system | 6-round (686) or 7-round (686 Plus) cylinder |
The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-actionrevolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnumcartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1981. It is the stainless steel version of the Model 586, which featured a blued steel finish. They are available ported and unported with a choice of 6- or 7-round cylinders.[1]
The Model 686 is based on S&W's L (medium) revolver frame. During the 1980s, Smith & Wesson developed its L-Frame line of .357 Magnums: the Model 581, Model 586, Model 681 and Model 686. The Models 581 and 681 have fixed sights, whereas the 586 and 686 use adjustable sights.[2]
- 1972-1974 I keep this list in my computer to help out when buying guns online at auction. N Frame serial numbers ran from 1970 -1983. The guys at the Smith and Wesson forum are great and always ready to help out. Make sure to read the threads first, however before asking your question.
- Smith Wesson 686 Serial Number Search DOWNLOAD (Mirror #1) ccb82a64f7 Browse all new and used Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Model 686 for sale and buy with confidence from Guns International.The majority of gun owners stuck with the tried and true classics of the era: the D-Frame Colt, the J-Frame Smith & Wesson or the odd man out, the Charter Arms.Browse all new and used Smith & Wesson.
- Smith Wesson Dates Of Manufacture From Serial Numbers DOWNLOAD.
- Visit the post for more. S w k frame serial numbers smith and wesson 19 serial numbers serial number lookup smith and wesson smith and wesson serial numbers.
Variants of the 686[edit]
The 686 has been available with 64, 76, 102, 127, 152, and 211 mm (2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.325 in) barrel lengths as standard models and other barrel lengths either by special order from S&W's Performance Center custom shop, or acquired from or built by after-market gunsmiths. The Performance Center made a limited number of Model 686s chambered for .38 Super cartridges for competitive shooters.[1]
The 686 features a 6-round cylinder. The 686P variant, marketed as the Model 686 Plus, has a 7-round cylinder. The 686PP variant, with PP designating PowerPort, has an integral compensator (also known as a muzzle brake).
The 686 has been made with pistol grips having a squared or rounded end (colloquially, 'square butt' or 'round butt'). The grips on the pistol can be changed, and multiple after-market options are available.
The Model 686 has an adjustable rear sight, and until 1992, the 152 and 211 mm (6 and 8.325 in) versions had the option of an adjustable front sight. They had Goncalo alveshardwood grips until 1994, when the grip was replaced by a rubber Hogue grip.[1]
Through the years, there have been several variations on the Model 686. The Model 686 Classic Hunter was introduced in 1988 and has a 150 mm (6 in) barrel and a non-fluted cylinder; the Model 686 Black Stainless was introduced in 1989 and has either a 100 or 150 mm (4 or 6 in) barrel with a black finish, with production limited to 5000; the Model 686 National Security Special was introduced in 1992 and has a 76 or 102 mm (3 or 4 in) barrel; the Model 686 Target Champion was introduced in 1992 and has a 150 mm (6 in) match-grade barrel, adjustable trigger stop, and walnut grips; the Model 686 Power Port was introduced in 1994 and has a ported 150 mm (6 in) barrel; the Model 686 Plus was introduced in 1996 and has a 64, 76, 102, or 152 mm (2.5, 3, 4, or 6 in) barrel, adjustable sights, 7-shot cylinder, and Hogue rubber grips. As with all current Smith & Wesson revolvers, the 686 Plus now has a key lock integral to the frame of the gun.[1]
| Variant | Caliber | Weight | Capacity | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.30 kg (45.8 oz) | 6 rounds | 1988 | Unfluted cylinder | ||
| 1.19 kg (42 oz) | 6 rounds | 1989 | Black finish over stainless, 5000 produced | |
| 1.15 kg (40.5 oz) | 6 rounds | 1988 | |||
| 1.19 kg (42 oz) | 6 rounds | 1988 | ||
| 1.30 kg (45.8 oz) | 6 rounds | 1988 | |||
| 1.37 kg (48.3 oz) | 6 rounds | 1988 | ||
| S&W 686 CS-1 | Unknown | Made for United States Customs Service | |||
| 1.17 kg (41.2 oz) | 6 rounds | 1992 | Black finish | |
| 1.19 kg (42 oz) | 6 rounds | 1992 | Black finish | ||
| 1.31 kg (46.2 oz) | 6 rounds | 1992 | Full lug | |
| 1.30 kg (46 oz) | 6 rounds | 1994 | Ported | ||
| 1.16 kg (41 oz) | 7 rounds | 1996 | Lockable with key | |
| 1.20 kg (42.3 oz) | 7 rounds | 1996 | Lockable with key | ||
| 1.31 kg (46.2 oz) | 7 rounds | 1996 | Lockable with key | |
| 1.15 kg (40.5 oz) | 7 rounds | 2004 | Half-lug barrel, HiViz front sight | ||
| 1.31 kg (46.2 oz) | 6 rounds | 2003 | Brushed gold finish with finger hardwood grips | |
| 1.31 kg (46.2 oz) | 6 rounds | Integral Compensator, lockable with key | |||
| 1.50 kg (52.9 oz) | 6 rounds | 2007 | Weighted barrel, Weaver/Picatinny rail on barrel, adjustable/removable weights, ball-bearing cylinder lock, forged Hhmmer and trigger, traditional old school pinned sSear, PC aluminum case or gun rug, lockable with key | |
Engineering and production changes[edit]
Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture J Frame
- 686 (no dash), 1981 Introduction model
- 686-1, 1986 radius stud package, floating hand
- 686-2, 1987 changed hammer nose, bushing and associated parts
- 686-3, 1988 new yoke retention system
- 686-4, 1993 change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, change extractor, Hogue grips
- 686-5, 1997 change frame design to eliminate cylinder stop stud, eliminate serrated tangs, MIM hammer and trigger, change internal lock.
- 686-6, 2001 internal lock
- 686-7, 2003 Performance Center .38 Super, 6-Shot unfluted cylinder, 4' barrel, Stainless Steel, 250 Made
Gallery[edit]
Users[edit]
- France – Used by GIGN during amphibious operations.[3]
- Norway – The 3'-barreled version with Goncalo alveshardwood-grip was used as a sidearm in the alien immigrant-branches of the Norwegian Police Service by individual plainclothes officers during the early 1990s.[citation needed]
- United States – Used by U.S. Border Patrol.[citation needed] Used by legacy U.S. Customs Service.[citation needed] Used by the legacy U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service[citation needed] Used by U.S. Navy SEALs during waterborne missions.[4] Used by some smaller police departments and by individual officers in larger departments, especially in marine environments.[5]
- Luxembourg – Used by the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Police as duty weapon from the 1980s through 2017 when it was replaced by the HK VP9.[6]
- United States - Used by the Oso Grande 4x4 Posse as an approved weapon for posse members preferring a revolver. Some twenty revolvers were acquired in the early 2000's as issue/approved weapons.
Recall[edit]
In 1987, seven years after the release of the Model 686, there were reports of cylinder binding with some types of standard .357 Magnum ammunition for L-frame revolvers manufactured before August 1987. S&W put out a product warning and authorized a no-charge upgrade to make modifications to the revolver. All recalled and reworked guns were stamped with an M marking, signifying that they had been recalled and fixed; thus it is known as the M modification for all 686, 686-1, 586-1, and 586-2 revolvers.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ abcdSupica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. pp. 331–363. ISBN978-0-89689-293-4.
- ^Boorman, Dean K. (2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot. p. 119. ISBN978-1-58574-721-4.
- ^Jim Supica (2011). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd. Iola, wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 343. ISBN978-1-4402-2700-4.
- ^Chalker, Denny; Dockery, Kevin (2009). One Perfect Op. New York: Harper Collins. p. 104. ISBN978-0-06-175129-5.
- ^Sweeney, Patrick (2011). The Gun Digest Book of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 104. ISBN978-1-4402-2714-1.
- ^'So sieht die neue Pistole der Police Grand-Ducale aus'. L'Essentiel. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- ^Product Warning, Popular Mechanics, January 1988, p. 11.
External links[edit]
Serial Numbers on Smith and Wesson Firearms
If you own a Smith and Wesson handgun, you might be interested in finding out some more information on your particular gun. Once you locate the serial number, then you are able to do some research and find out a little history on your gun. Below you will find some visual examples of where to look for the serial number on your S&W handgun. You can then use the serial number to find out the Smith & Wesson date manufactured for your particular gun. Keep in mind that many Smith and Wesson guns produced before 1957 did not have a serial number stamped on them. These older guns will take a little more effort to find out their history. For those Smith Wesson with serial numbers, see the pictures below to find where to look.
S W Serial Numbers Chart
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Revolvers
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Pistols
There are some exceptions to the locations shown above for certain S&W pistols. On the Sigma series and the SW99 models, you will find the serial number in the locations shown in the pictures below.
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Sigma Series
Winchester Date Of Manufacture
Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - SW99
Smith Pre Model 10 Serial Number Lookup
Once you've located the serial number, then you can try to contact Smith and Wesson and see if they can give you an information about your particular gun like date of manufacture or other specific details. You can try to contact their customer support by phone and see if they would be willing to help you that way. If they are unable (or unwilling) to help over the phone, then you can contact them via writing with information on your S&W pistol, and they will research your particular firearm and send you a written report. You can send them a picture and they can find out more of the background on your gun along with the date manufactured. They will charge you for this service ($50 at the time this was written) and it is probably only worthwhile for older collectible guns which have no serial numbers. If you can find the serial number, then you are better off just trying to call S&W customer service first. If that doesn't work, then you could try to contact a gun shop and see if they can help you. Furthermore, some internet forums are filled with helpful and knowledgeable people that would be happy to help try to interpret the serial number on your handgun. In addition, a book such as: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson written by Jim Supica, Richard Nahas, published 2007, can be used to try to get more information about your gun. This book can be very helpful in finding Smith & Wesson date manufactured information and also general historical information about different S&W firearms. In fact, if you post a message on an internet group asking for help in identifying your particular Smith & Wesson gun, then it is very likely that a member of the group will use this book or something similar when they help. Thankfully, most people will probably have a newer gun with the serial numbers, and it should be relatively easy to get more background information using that number. The old guns without the serial numbers are the ones that can be a little trickier. Regarding old Smith & Wesson guns, below is an interesting video narrated by Jim Supica about an early S&W revolver given to the legendary Teddy Roosevelt.
Smith And Wesson 686-3 Serial Number Lookup
S&w 686 Serial Number Location
WWW.RC-TRUCKS.ORG - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2004-2014 - CONTACT US / PRIVACY POLICYDownload hashcat for windows.