S&W Model Identification Characteristics
This Appendix was omitted from the 6th Edition of Standard Catalog of S&W due to lack of space. Copyright Richard Nahas and Jim Supica.
Do not copy or reproduce without permission. For permission, contact SupicaLLC@outlook.com
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
Backstrap (also called tang): Smooth or serrated on revolvers,
1) curved or straight on autoloaders
Butt shape: Round or square butt revolvers
Caliber: Single or dual capability, i.e. .357 Magnum and .38 Spl.
Cylinder: Number of flutes or non‑fluted and 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,H, K, L, M, N, X, Z frame revolvers;
- Compact or full‑size autos
- Frame style & 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 Mikes, 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 where the main spring is replaced with a coiled main spring, and 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 frame for the .357 Caliber.
Lanyard ring: Present or not
Lanyard Hole: Frame drilled with a hole but no lanyard. Not to be confused with the hole found on most revolver tangs for use in assembly jigs.
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 LoMount Carry, two‑dot, V-notch adjustable
Rear sight leaf: Serrated or non‑serrated (M‑56 and M‑28)
location of the screws, squared ends 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 also noted as Rds.
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