Do not confuse the serial number with the 4- or 5-digit numbers found on the yoke or inside the frame. These are "assembly numbers" used during the manufacturing process and have no legal or dating value. 2. Decoding Model 19-5 Serial Numbers
If you open the cylinder and look at the frame where the cylinder arm (the yoke) meets the frame, you will see "MOD 19-5". On many 19-5 models, S&W also stamped the serial number in this area for easier viewing. smith and wesson model 195 serial numbers install
By the time the Model 19-5 was in production (starting roughly in 1982), S&W had transitioned to a . Do not confuse the serial number with the
The is a classic "Combat Magnum" revolver manufactured in the early to mid-1980s. Because S&W did not use "195" as a single model name, this designation refers specifically to the Model 19 with the -5 engineering change. Decoding Model 19-5 Serial Numbers If you open
Because S&W records are complex and often manual, the most accurate way to date a Model 19-5 is to consult the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson or request a historical letter from the S&W Historical Foundation. 3. Key Features of the Model 19-5
On many Model 19-5 revolvers, particularly those with oversized target grips, the serial number is physically covered. You may need to remove the grip screws and the wood or rubber panels to "reveal" the number.