Smith And Wesson Age By Serial Number

New Model Number Three

Since 1852 we’ve been an industry leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shooting accessories. We continue to bring innovative firearms to market that meet the needs of every shooter and deliver on exceptional quality with a brand you’ve learned to trust. The serial number is on the butt of the grip. 357 Magnum Revolver. smith- wesson- model-28-2- highway. 66-2 (1982): Eliminated pinned and recessed, slightly. Finding your Smith and Wesson serial number depends on the type of firearm. Of database for finding manufacturing dates for their guns using serial numbers.

Always interested in perfecting Model 3 revolver D.B. Wesson redesigned and improved old Model 3 in hopes of attracting more sales. Russian contracts were almost filled, so the company decided to devote the effort necessary to improve on this design. In 1877, this project was undertaken. Extractor housing was shortened; cylinder retention system was improved; shape of grip was changed to a more streamlined and attractive configuration. This New Model was available with a 3.5', 4', 5', 6', 6.5', 7', 7.5' or 8' barrel length, with 6-shot fluted cylinder. The 6.5' barrel and .44 S&W Russian chambering is the most often encountered variation of this model, but the factory considered the 3.5' and 8' barrels as standard and these were kept in stock as well. New Model No. 3 was also chambered for .32 S&W, .32-44 S&W, .320 S&W Rev. Rifle, .38 S&W, .38-40, .38-44 S&W, .38 US (.38 Colt), .41 S&W, .44 Henry rimfire, .44 S&W American, .44-40, .45 S&W Schofield, .450 Rev., .45 Webley, .455 MkI and .455 MkII. They are blued or nickel-plated and have checkered hard rubber grips, with S&W logo molded into them, or walnut grips. There are many sub-variations within this model designation and the potential collector should secure detailed reference material that deals with this model. Approximately 35,796 of these revolvers manufactured between 1878 and 1912. Nearly 40 percent were exported to fill contracts with Japan, Australia, Argentina, England, Spain and Cuba. There were some sent to Asia, as well. Proof marks or military marks of these countries or factory shipping records will establish their provenance.Variations of the New Mod. No. 3 include: Maryland Militia – US, HN, and DAL markings – 200 made – maybe double standard value; Revenue Cutter Service – US purchase, no special markings, i.d. by serial number – 50% premium; Turkish Model – .44 Henry Rimfire; P, U, & AFC markings, own s/n range 1-5461 – 50% to 100% premium; Japanese Navy – usually with Anchor marking – possible slight premium; Japanese Artillery – Japanese kanji on ejector housing – 25% to 50% premium; Argentine Model – marked EJERCITO ARGENTNO, 2,000 made – 50% to 100% premium; Australian Colonial Police with detachable shoulder stock – double value if stock included; Unusual configurations – rare barrel lengths, rare calibers, and special order sights all add to the value of a gun, depending on the rarity of the variation. Related models – several models shared the same configuration but were offered as distinct models in their own serial number ranges. Their listings follow this one and include: New Model No. 3 Target Model; New Model No. 3 Frontier Model; New Mod. No. 3 38 Winchester Model; Revolving Rifle – based on New Mod. No. 3 frame

Antique

Standard Model

6.5' barrel, .44 S&W Russian.

Courtesy Mike Stuckslager

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Japanese Naval Contract

Largest foreign purchaser of this model. More than 1,500 produced, with anchor insignia stamped on frame.

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Japanese Artillery Contract

This variation numbered in 25000 serial range. They are blued, with 7' barrel and lanyard swivel on butt. Japanese characters are stamped on extractor housing.

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Maryland Militia Model

Variation is nickel-plated, has 6.5' barrel and chambered for .44 S&W Russian cartridge. Butt stamped 'U.S.' and inspector's marks 'HN' and 'DAL' under date 1878 appear on revolver. There were 280 manufactured between serial numbers 7126 and 7405. NOTE: Rarity makes valuation speculative.

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Argentine Model

Essentially not a factory contract, but a sale through Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. They are stamped 'Ejercito/Argentino' in front of trigger guard. Order amounted to some 2,000 revolvers between serial numbers 50 and 3400.

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Australian Contract

This variation is nickel-plated and chambered for .44 S&W Russian cartridge. Marked with Australian Colonial Police Broad Arrow on the butt. There were 250 manufactured with 7' barrels and detachable shoulder stocks. Stock has Broad Arrow stamped on lower tang. There were also 30 manufactured with 6.5' barrels, without the stocks. They all are numbered in 12000-13000 serial range.

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Revolver with Stock and Holsters

NOTE: Deduct 40 percent for no stock.

Smith And Wesson Gun Age By Serial Number

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000

Turkish Model

Smith and wesson gun age by serial number

Essentially the New Model No. 3 chambered for .44 rimfire Henry cartridge. Stamped with letters 'P', 'U' and 'AFC' on various parts of the revolver. Barrels are all 6.5'; finish blued, with walnut grips. Lanyard swivels are found on the butt. There were 5,461 manufactured. Serial numbered in their own range starting at 1 through 5461, between 1879 and 1883.

Courtesy Mike Stuckslager

Smith And Wesson Age By Serial Number Lookup

NIB	Exc	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000	^$0000