Dating a Smith & Wesson Model 1

Dating the Smith & Wesson Model 1

Without a doubt, this is the most common question that I get asked. A reasonable estimation can be made of a Model 1’s age based on the issue and the gun’s serial number, which is always located on the bottom of the grip.

The following serial number tables can be used to further estimate the gun’s age. Please note that these serial number ranges are just estimates. The guns didn’t ship in precise order of serial number; shipments were deliberately chosen at random. That was true in the 1860s and it’s still true today.

For a more accurate date, you’ll need to request a Letter of Authenticity from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation.

Smith & Wesson Model 1, 1st Issue

All of the Smith & Wesson Model 1, 1st Issue guns were made between 1857 and 1860.

Smith & Wesson Model 1, 2nd Issue

All of the Smith & Wesson Model 1, 2nd Issue guns were made between 1860 and 1868.

Smith & Wesson Model 1, 3rd Issue

All of the Smith & Wesson Model 1, 3rd Issue guns were made between 1868 and 1882.

The end of the Model 1, 3rd Issue production wasn’t particularly well documented. By the late 1870s, Model 1s were being assembled en masse from large reserves of spare parts, and wholesalers being required to buy large numbers of them at discounted prices. Many of these later guns were engraved and bought as presentation guns, which is why a disproportionate number of engraved Model 1s are late third issue revolvers. Because of the spotty record keeping on these later guns, the factory letters for them will often only estimate the shipping year.