Wesson Model 195 Serial Numbers Install Updated | Smith And

The Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 (often colloquially called the "195") is a legendary .357 Magnum revolver produced between 1982 and 1988. If you are looking to verify yours, identifying the correct serial number is the first step. Where to Find the Serial Number

While several numbers are stamped on the frame, only one is the official legal identifier.

The Butt of the Frame: This is the most authoritative location. You may need to remove the wooden or rubber grips to see it clearly.

The Yoke Cut: When you swing the cylinder out, you will often see "MOD 19-5" along with a serial number. Note that older target models might have the serial here, but other numbers found in this area are typically "assembly numbers" used for factory fitting and have no historical value. Understanding Model 19-5 Serial Formats

Starting in 1980, S&W transitioned to a triple-alpha prefix (e.g., ABC1234).

Early -5 Models: May still feature older prefixes like the "K" prefix (e.g., 250K123).

Standard -5 Formats: Most will follow the three-letter, four-number sequence common in the mid-1980s. What Makes the 19-5 Unique?

The "dash-five" engineering change was a major turning point for the Model 19 line:

Elimination of Pinned Barrels: The barrel is no longer held in by a cross-pin.

Elimination of Recessed Cylinders: The cylinder is no longer bored out for cartridge rims to sit flush.

Logo Shift: On these models, the S&W logo was moved to the left side of the frame. How to Date Your Revolver To find the exact year your Model 19-5 left the factory: Reference the Standard Catalog: The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson

by Supica and Nahas is the gold standard for dating S&W firearms.

Official Factory Letter: For a fee, the S&W Historical Foundation can provide a factory research letter detailing the original ship date and configuration.

Online Databases: You can use official S&W Customer Service tools or trusted collector forums to match your prefix to a manufacturing year. Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

Finding the serial number and manufacture date for a Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 is straightforward once you know where to look. In the Smith & Wesson numbering system, the suffix "-5" refers to the fifth engineering variation of the Model 19 (Combat Magnum), which was produced between 1982 and 1988. 🔍 Locating the Serial Number

The "official" serial number required for registration or history requests is located on the bottom of the grip frame (the butt).

Check the Butt: You may need to remove the "stocks" (wood or rubber grips) to see the full number if they cover the bottom of the frame.

Check the Yoke: Open the cylinder and look at the frame area exposed by the hinge (the yoke/crane). You will usually see: The model number (e.g., MOD 19-5).

Assembly numbers, which are 4 or 5-digit codes used during manufacturing to keep parts together. Do not mistake these for the serial number. 📅 Dating Your Model 19-5

The Model 19-5 was introduced in 1982, marking the transition where Smith & Wesson eliminated the "pinned barrel" and "counter-bored (recessed) cylinders". Typical Serial Number Ranges (1980s)

During the production of the 19-5, Smith & Wesson transitioned from a numeric system to a three-letter prefix followed by four digits (e.g., ABC1234). Year Serial Prefix Examples 1982

10K0001 – 25K0000; Triple-letter prefixes begin (e.g., AAA) 1983 ADT, AEB, AFW 1984 ALA, ALC, ALV 1985 ANE, ANL, ANP 1986 AVB, AVV, AWA 1987 AYB, AYW, AYY 1988 BAF, BAN, BBA smith and wesson model 195 serial numbers install

Note: These are approximations. For exact shipping dates, collectors often consult the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation or the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson". 🛠️ Model 19-5 Engineering Changes

The 19-5 is a significant version for collectors because it represents a "modernization" of the classic Combat Magnum:

Pinned Barrel Removed: The barrel is crushed-fit into the frame rather than held by a cross-pin.

Recessed Cylinder Removed: The cylinder no longer features "countersunk" holes for cartridge rims. Cylinder Length: Changed slightly to 1.62 inches.

💡 Pro Tip: If your serial number starts with a "K", it is likely an early 1982 production. If it has a three-letter prefix, it was likely made between 1983 and 1988. If you would like to pinpoint the exact year, please share: The first 3 letters of your serial number. The barrel length (2.5", 4", or 6"). Whether the frame is Square Butt or Round Butt.

I can then provide a more specific manufacturing window for your revolver.

Deciphering Your Smith & Wesson Model 19-5: A Serial Number Guide If you’ve recently acquired a Smith & Wesson Model 19-5

, or you're looking to verify its authenticity, understanding the serial number is your first step. Often misidentified as a "Model 195," this specific variant is actually the fifth engineering revision of the legendary .357 Combat Magnum

Here is how to locate, identify, and understand the markings on your Model 19-5. Where to Find the Official Serial Number

On a Smith & Wesson revolver, there are several numbers stamped on various parts, but only one is the legal, official serial number. Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation The Bottom of the Grip (The Butt):

This is the most authoritative location for the serial number. If your revolver has large "target" wooden stocks, you may need to remove them with a screwdriver to see the full number. The Yoke Cutout:

When you swing the cylinder out, you will see numbers stamped on the frame behind the "crane" or "yoke". : This confirms the model and the engineering change. The Serial Number

: Sometimes the serial number is repeated here, but it is often accompanied by "assembly numbers"—random digits used by the factory to keep parts together during manufacturing. Always rely on the number on the butt for official records Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Interpreting the 19-5 Serial Format By the time the Model 19-5 was in production (beginning in

), Smith & Wesson had moved away from the older "K-prefix" (e.g., K12345) to a more modern three-letter, four-digit system.

Note: Before proceeding, it’s important to clarify a technical nuance. Smith & Wesson did not manufacture a factory-designated "Model 195." The most famous S&W .45 ACP revolver is the Model 1917. However, collectors and gunsmiths often refer to the 1950 Target Model (pre-Model 26) or the 1950 .45 Army Model (pre-Model 22). The number "195" in user searches frequently refers to a custom build or a misunderstood model year (e.g., 1950). For the purpose of this guide, we are addressing the installation of a barrel or cylinder on a Post-War N-Frame .45 ACP revolver (circa 1950–1955) that is commonly mislabeled as the "Model 195."

Final Verdict: You do not have a "Model 195"

To put it bluntly: If you own a Smith & Wesson that says “Model 195,” you either have a misread 1950 or a counterfeit. Use the serial number on the butt of the grip frame to date your gun via the chart above.

If you need a factory letter to confirm your specific revolver’s ship date (which costs $100), send the serial number to the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation.

Have a photo of a “Model 195” stamp you’d like us to verify? Drop it in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article is for historical and collector education. Always verify a firearm is unloaded before inspecting serial numbers, and follow all local, state, and federal laws.

In the late 1980s, the "Model 195" didn’t exist as a single unit, but the Smith & Wesson Model 19-5

—the fifth major engineering variation of the legendary .357 Combat Magnum—was a centerpiece of American law enforcement. The Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 (often colloquially

Arthur, a retired detective, sat at his workbench, the blued steel of a 19-5 reflecting the dim garage light. He was looking for its history, a task that required finding its unique identity. The Search for the Identity Arthur knew that on these mid-80s K-frames, the official serial number was always stamped on the bottom of the butt of the frame

. He flipped the revolver over, seeing a string of three letters followed by four numbers—the "triple-alpha" format S&W adopted in 1980. Curious, he swung out the cylinder. Stamped behind the

(the crane), he saw the designation "MOD 19-5". Near it were other numbers, but Arthur knew those were just assembly numbers

used by factory workers to keep parts together during the "soft fitting" process. A Relic of Change

His particular 19-5 was a transition piece. Unlike the older "pinned and recessed" versions his father carried, this model had a non-pinned barrel non-recessed cylinder

, changes made starting in 1982 to streamline production. Yet, it retained the classic hammer-mounted firing pin

, a feature that would eventually vanish in later "dash" models.

The Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 is a celebrated .357 Magnum revolver produced in the early to mid-1980s. While there is no official "Model 195," users often use this term to refer to the -5 engineering revision of the classic K-frame Model 19. Locating the Serial Number

For any Smith & Wesson revolver, including the Model 19-5, the "serial number of record" is definitively located on the bottom of the grip frame (the butt).

Obstructions: If your revolver has oversized wood target grips or rubber wrap-around grips, they will likely cover the serial number. You must carefully remove the grip panels to view it.

Alternate Markings: You may see numbers stamped inside the frame in the yoke area (visible when the cylinder is open). On a Model 19-5, this area typically displays the model number (e.g., "MOD 19-5") and "assembly numbers," which are internal factory codes and not the legal serial number.

Format: Model 19-5 serial numbers typically follow a triple-alpha-numeric format (e.g., "AUS8466"), which Smith & Wesson adopted in 1980. Installation: Grips and Parts

If you are looking to "install" components related to the serial number area, it most likely involves changing the grips or accessing the internal frame.

Grip Removal: Ensure the firearm is completely unloaded. Use a properly fitted screwdriver to remove the grip screw. If the grips are stuck, do not pry them; instead, lightly rap the back of the grip frame with a plastic or rubber mallet to vibrate them loose.

Accessing Internal Frames: To view date codes sometimes stamped on the side of the grip frame, you must remove the sideplate. This requires removing the three screws on the right side of the frame. Note: S&W sideplates are precision-fitted; tapping the frame rather than prying the plate is the standard method for removal.

Reassembly: When reinstalling grips, ensure they do not pinch any internal springs (like the mainspring). Tighten the screw until snug, but avoid over-tightening, which can crack wood panels. Verifying Manufacture Date

Because Smith & Wesson used overlapping serial ranges for decades, there is no single public online database for precise dating. To accurately date your Model 19-5: Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers

Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 (commonly abbreviated as "19 5" or "195") is the fifth engineering variation of the famous .357 Combat Magnum, produced between 1982 and 1988

. This specific version is historically significant because it marked the transition where S&W eliminated the pinned barrel and counterbored (recessed) cylinder. Locating the Serial Number

To identify or verify your specific revolver, you must look at the "serial number of record" rather than assembly numbers. Primary Location (Butt of the Frame) : The authoritative serial number is always stamped on the bottom of the grip frame (the butt)

. You may need to remove the grips (stocks) if they are "target style" and cover the bottom of the frame. Secondary Location (Yoke/Crane) Final Verdict: You do not have a "Model

: When you swing the cylinder open, you will see "MOD 19-5" stamped on the frame. Below or near this, there may be a number. On the 19-5, this is often the actual serial number, but in earlier models, it was frequently an assembly number

used for fitting parts at the factory and should not be used for official identification. What to Look For

: By the time the 19-5 was produced, serial numbers typically consisted of a three-letter prefix followed by four digits (e.g., Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Dating Your Model 19-5 The Model 19-5 was introduced in

to simplify production. Because Smith & Wesson does not provide a public, searchable database, dating is typically done using the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson or by contacting the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Letter of Authenticity Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

Common prefix ranges for the 19-5 era (1982–1988) include: 1982–1983 : Prefixes starting with : Transition into JustAnswer Key Specifications of the 19-5 How to Identify & Date a S&W revolver - Scribd

The Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 (often colloquially referred to as the Model 195) is a seminal iteration of the .357 Magnum "Combat Magnum" produced between 1982 and 1988. Identifying the serial number on this specific model requires distinguishing between official records and internal assembly codes. Locating the Serial Number

The "serial number of record" for all Smith & Wesson revolvers is located on the bottom of the grip frame (the butt).

The Grip Butt: This is the most authoritative location. You may need to remove aftermarket or wrap-around grips to see the full number.

The Yoke/Crane Cutout: When the cylinder is swung open, a number is typically visible on the frame inside the yoke.

Crucial Distinction: On the Model 19-5, the number in the yoke area is often a triple-alpha serial number (e.g., AAA1111), which S&W began using in 1980.

Assembly Numbers: Do not confuse the serial number with the 4- or 5-digit numbers sometimes found in the yoke; these are internal assembly numbers used during manufacturing to keep matched parts together and hold no historical value for owners. Serial Number Format and Dating

In 1980, Smith & Wesson transitioned to a triple-alpha-numeric system (three letters followed by four digits). Because the Model 19-5 began production in 1982, most units will follow this "AAA0000" format. Smith & Wesson Serial Numbers

Part 1: Is It Really a "Model 195"? Serial Number Prefixes Explained

Before you install any component, you must positively identify your revolver. Smith & Wesson did not stamp "MOD-195" on any frame. Instead, look for these serial ranges:

  • 1950 .45 Army Model (Pre-Model 22): Serial range S62,000 – S75,000 (circa 1950–1952). These have a 5.5-inch barrel and fixed sights.
  • 1950 .45 Target Model (Pre-Model 26): Serial range S75,000 – S130,000 (circa 1952–1955). These have adjustable rear sights and a 6.5-inch barrel.

Critical: The serial number is located on the bottom of the grip frame. You must remove the stocks (grips) to see it fully. It will have an "S" prefix (e.g., S 98765).

Secondary Confirmation Locations:

S&W stamped the serial number in three other places to verify factory-original parts. Using a flashlight, check:

  1. Inside the Yoke Cutout: Open the cylinder. On the frame where the yoke (crane) swings closed, look for the number.
  2. Rear Face of the Cylinder: Roll the cylinder out; check the flat face opposite the chambers.
  3. Inside of the Right Grip Panel: The underside of the original wooden stock is often pencil-written or stamped with the last digits of the serial number.

Warning: Do not use the assembly numbers (usually 4-5 digits stamped on the yoke itself). These are factory floor tracking numbers and have no relation to your gun’s birthday.

Step 3: "Model 195" vs. "Model 1950" – The Optical Illusion

If your revolver’s crane is stamped with a number that looks like MOD. 195, look again with a magnifying glass.

  • The Reality: The standard stamping from 1957 to 1966 was MOD. 24 or MOD. 22.
  • The Confusion: If the top of the 0 in 50 is lightly struck, or the die was dirty, the 0 can look like a 5. A worn MOD. 195 is almost always a MOD. 1950 (which is simply an early production Model 24 or 22).
  • The Exception: Some Spanish or Italian copies (like Astra or Tanfoglio) actually used "Model 195." If your gun isn't marked "Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass. USA," it is a clone.

Step 1: Safety & Disassembly

  • Unload the revolver (verify three times).
  • Remove the sideplate screws (use a hollow-ground bit to avoid cam-out).
  • Tap the sideplate off (never pry it).
  • Remove the yoke screw (front-most sideplate screw; it has a spring and plunger).

Serial Number Ranges

If you are trying to date a specific firearm, it is important to look at the serial number stamped on the butt of the grip frame (and often on the crane or cylinder).

  • Pre-Model 19 Era (1955 – 1957): Before S&W adopted numerical model numbers, these revolvers were known as the ".357 Combat Magnum." Serial numbers during this transition period typically began with an "S" prefix.

    • Range: Approx. S140000 – S190000

  • Model 19 Transition (1957 – 1959): Around 1957, S&W began stamping "MOD 19" inside the crane area. The serial numbers continued with the "S" prefix.

    • Range: Approx. S190000 – S260000

  • The "N" Prefix (1959 – 1969): Smith & Wesson changed the serial number prefix to "N" to denote the heavy barrel and improvements.

    • Range: N1 – N99999

  • Post-1969 (The Dash Numbers): In 1969, S&W switched to a numbering system where the model number included a "dash" number to indicate engineering changes (e.g., Model 19-3). During this era, serial numbers began with "3K," "4K," "5K," etc., and eventually moved into the "K" series serial numbers.