APPENDIX 6

IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS

The following features should be considered when identifying an S&W handgun, as each one will have many of the following features:

Action: Single action, double action, single-shot, traditional double action (term applies to autoloaders), top-break, bottom-break, Hand Ejector.

Accessories: Muzzle brakes, barrel weights, and so on.

Barrel length and availability: A factory barrel?

Barrel broaching: for scope mount.

Barrel pin: Pre-1982 production (i.e., as in pinned barrel).

Backstrap (also called tang): Smooth or serrated on revolvers, curved or straight on autoloaders.

Butt shape: Round or square butt (revolvers only).

Caliber: Single or dual capability (e.g., .357 Magnum and .38 Special).

Cylinder: Number of flutes or non-fluted; cylinder length.

Cylinder chamfer: Yes or no.

Cylinder counterbore: All magnums until 1982 and most .22s.

Engraved by hand: A, B, or C class.

Engraving by laser: Lasersmith.

Extractor rod: Shrouded or non-shrouded extractor.

Finish: Blue, nickel, stainless, parkerized, combination, matte, black stainless, brush blue, bright blue, titanium, and so on.

Frame size: I, improved I, J, J Magnum, K, L, M, N, X, H frame for Hand Ejector revolvers; compact or full-size for semi-autos.

Frame style and design: Pre-new style frame with integral lug and or internal key lock or prior to that production.

Frame material: Alloy, carbon steel, stainless steel, polymer, brass, titanium, scandium alloy.

Frame screws: 3, 4, 5, or 6 (with bug screw).

Front sight styles: Patridge, 1/10”, 1/8”, Paine, red ramp, ramp on ramp base, serrated, post, gold bead, plain, McGivern, Baughman, King, Call gold, Marbles, round blade, adjustable four-position, white dot on post, dovetail, interchangeable, high profile, low profile, hi-viz.

Factory errors: These do occur and are easily counterfeited.

Grips or stock material: Walnut, hard rubber (black, green, brown), rosewood, mottled red rubber, checkered, diamond walnut, smooth walnut, Goncalo Alves, mother-of-pearl, service, plain clothes (PC) Magna, roper, extension stocks, ivory, stag horn, O.E.M. (i.e. Uncle Mike’s, Hogue, Eagle, S&W ACE Grip Co.).

Hammer style: Target, service, humpback, bobbed, concealed or shrouded, and width of hammer. Changed to MIM style in 1996.

I frame: A small frame revolver that has a leaf main spring and a small cylinder opening. Replaced with the Improved I frame.

Improved I frame: A small I frame in which the flat main spring is replaced with a coiled main spring and which still has the small frame opening for the cylinder. Replaced with the J frame with a larger frame opening and in 1994 with the J Magnum for the .357 Magnum caliber.

Lanyard ring: Present or not.

Lanyard hole: Frame drilled with a hole but no lanyard.

Logo markings of S&W: On right sideplate, left side of the frame, or both, or none; in some instances also known as trademark.

Rear sight style: Adjustable, fixed, white outline, narrow, target, micrometer click, night sights, dovetail, Novak Lo-Mount Carry, two-dot, V-notch adjustable.

Rear sight leaf: Serrated or non-serrated (M-56 and M-28); location of the screws; squared end or rounded end.

Refinishing markings: By factory on the butt or under the grips.

Slide material: Alloy, carbon steel, stainless.

Shot capacity: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, single-shot, or the magazine capacity.

Serial number and serial number location: Yoke cut, butt, cylinder face, inside the topstrap, barrel, top latch, right grip, inside the yoke, behind the star extractor, inside the barrel shroud.

Serial prefix: One-letter or three-letter.

Serial suffix: May occur with a duplication of serial numbers.

Thumbpiece: Flat latch (early, late and current production). The flat latch appeared about 1950 and continued to about 1966 on J frames and I frames and early 6-shot Airweights. Three distinct flat latch styles have been observed. Contoured thumbpiece on more modern production. Changed in 1996 for all Models to MIM production.

Trigger style: Smooth, target, narrow, service, combat, serrated spur and width of the trigger. Changed in 1996 to MIM production.

Trigger guards: Present or not, general shape for automatics.

Scope mounting: Broaching or drilled for scope, or rail mount.

Top of barrel rib: Narrow, wide, or no rib.

Weight in ounces (oz.): Sometimes expressed in grams in catalogs.