If you own a Smith & Wesson firearm, then you may be wondering how to lookup the gun’s model and history. Luckily, there is an easy way to do this. All you need is the gun’s serial number. In this blog post, we will show you how to find your Smith & Wesson’s serial number and lookup its history using the company’s website.
Smith & Wesson serial number
To find your Smith & Wesson’s serial number, first locate the gun. On the frame of the gun, there should be a small metal plate with the serial number stamped on it. This plate is usually located on the side of the gun near the trigger guard. Once you have found the serial number, write it down or take a picture of it for reference.
Next, go to Smith & Wesson’s website and navigate to their “Support” page. On this page, you will see a link that says “Serial Number Lookup.” Click on this link and you will be taken to a new page where you can enter your gun’s serial number. After entering the serial number, hit the “Search” button and you will be given a list of results that includes the model number, date of manufacture, and other information about your gun.
Where is Smith and Wesson serial number?
The serial number on a Smith and Wesson revolver is typically located on the frame, under the yoke (the metal piece that connects the barrel to the cylinder). On some revolvers, however, the serial number may be found on the cylinder or on the crank. If you cannot find the serial number on your revolver, contact Smith and Wesson customer service for assistance.
When contacting Smith and Wesson customer service, be sure to have the following information handy:
- -Your name
- -Your mailing address
- -Your telephone number
-The model of your revolver
-The serial number of your revolver (if known)
Smith and Wesson customer service can be reached by phone at 800-331-0852, Monday-Friday, from nine AM to five PM Eastern Standard Time. You can also reach customer service by email at customerservice@smith-wesson.com.
Can you tell what year a gun was made by the serial number?
The answer is yes. The serial number can tell you the range of dates that the gun was made, and the specific year.
Once you’ve determined the model,go on the manufacturer’s website to find which year the gun was made, from the digits following the dash. In this instance, 331-12345 was manufactured in the year 2007
How do gun serial numbers work?
Gun serial numbers are a combination of letters and numbers that identify a specific firearm. The first part of the gun serial number is usually composed of the manufacturer’s initials. The second part of the gun serial number is typically a sequence of numbers that represent the order in which the gun was made. For example, if a gun has the serial number “ABC123,” this means that it was the 123rd firearm manufactured by ABC Corporation.
The purpose of gunserial numbers is to track firearms and ensure that they are not used in crime. Every time a gun is sold, its serial number is recorded so that law enforcement can trace its ownership history. When a gun is used in a crime, police can use its serial number to track down the person who sold it to the criminal.
Gunserial numbers are also used for quality control purposes. If a gun is recalled, its serial number can be used to identify all of the other guns that were made in the same batch. This allows manufacturers to quickly locate and fix any problems with their products.
If you have a gun, it’s important to know where its serial number is located. Most guns have their serial numbers engraved on the side of the barrel. This makes it easy for police to find the serial number if a gun is lost or stolen. Knowing your gun’s serial number can also help you get it back if it’s ever lost or stolen.
What kind of gun do I have by serial number?
If you have a gun and want to find out what kind it is, you can use the serial number to look it up. You can find the serial number on the barrel of most guns. Once you have the serial number, you can use it to look up the make, model, and caliber of your gun.
There are a few ways to look up this information. One way is to contact the manufacturer of your gun. They will be able to tell you what kind of gun you have by its serial number. Another way is to use an online database. A quick Google search for “gun serial number lookup” will bring up a few options.
Once you know what kind of gun you have, you can research it further to find out more about its history and how it works. Knowing what kind of gun you have can also be helpful if you ever need to sell it or get it repaired.
Serial numbers can be a great way to identify your gun and learn more about it. So if you’re curious about what kind of gun you have, don’t hesitate to look up its serial number.
Do note that in some cases, the serial number may not be able to tell you everything about your gun. For example, some guns do not have a caliber (such as airsoft guns). In these cases, the serial number will only be able to tell you the make and model of the gun. However, this is still better than nothing.
Can I run a serial number on a gun to see if it’s stolen?
No, you cannot run a serial number on a gun to see if it’s stolen. However, you can contact the police department in the jurisdiction where the gun was last registered to see if it has been reported as stolen. You can also check national databases of stolen guns, such as LeadsOnline and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Finally, you can check state and local databases of stolen guns. If the gun is listed as stolen in any of these databases, do not attempt to recover it yourself; contact law enforcement instead.
If you think a gun you own may be stolen, but you don’t have the serial number or other identifying information, there are still some things you can do. First, call your local police department and explain the situation. They may be able to help you find the serial number or other information. If you still can’t find the information, you can try contacting the manufacturer of the gun. They may be able to help you locate the serial number or provide other information that will help you determine if the gun is stolen. Finally, if all else fails, you can contact a licensed firearms dealer. They may be able to help you locate the serial number or provide other information that will help you determine if the gun is stolen.
If you find out that a gun you own is stolen, do not attempt to recover it yourself; contact law enforcement instead. It is illegal to possess a stolen firearm, even if you didn’t know it was stolen when you bought it. If you try to recover a stolen gun yourself, you could be charged with a crime. So it’s always best to let the police handle it.
FAQs
Is there a website to look up gun serial number? ›
eTrace. eTrace is web-based firearms tracing system available to accredited domestic and international law enforcement agencies to assist in the tracing of U.S.-sourced firearms.
Can you tell the age of a gun by the serial number? ›some guns do have dates coded into the serial number, or the manufacturer may know what #'s were produced in what year. but there is no standard pattern for serial numbers on guns the way there is on vehicles.
Can I run a serial number on a gun to see if its stolen? ›Having the local police check the federal database continues to be the most accurate way to look up gun history by serial number to ascertain whether or not a used firearm is lost or stolen. However, many police departments do not offer this service.
Does Smith and Wesson have lifetime warranty? ›Smith & Wesson will repair, without charge, for the lifetime of the original owner, any Smith & Wesson handgun purchased on or after February 1, 1989, and any M&P15 series rifle, that is found to have a defect in material or workmanship.
What model is my gun? ›Model numbers or names are often stamped or engraved on the barrel or slide, often along with the Make. In some cases, the Model will also be represented as a prefix or other portion of the pistol's serial number, or may be stamped on the frame in less obvious locations (e.g., under the grip panels).
What does a gun serial number tell you? ›The serial number includes information related to the date and location of the weapon's manufacturing. Additionally, if the weapon is stolen, it can help link the firearm to the original owner when the government places the serial number into a national database.
How do I find the manufacture date of my gun serial number? ›To Determine Manufacture Date Based on Serial Number: The 1st three numbers of your serial number will always provide your manufacture date. The 1st number is the YEAR of manufacture; the 2nd & 3rd numbers indicate the MONTH of manufacture.
What is the serial number on a Smith and Wesson? ›Where is the serial number located on my handgun? Revolvers - The official serial number is located on the bottom of the butt of the frame. Some revolvers also have the serial number located on the inside of the frame, in the yoke area. Pistols - The serial number is located on the side of the frame.
What year did firearms get serial numbers? ›Serial numbers, first required by the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, are intended to prevent illegal gun sales and make it easier to solve crimes by allowing individual guns to be traced.
How much does it cost to serialize a gun? ›Fees Associated With Obtaining a Unique Serial Number
The fee for each subsequent unique serial number within the same transaction is $15. There is no limit to the number of unique serial numbers that an applicant may request within a single application and corresponding transaction.
How many digits is a gun serial number? ›
There is no typical serial number. For example, a Browning serial number can range in length from eight to ten characters, a Glock number is only five characters long. Serial numbers can contain both numbers and letters. A serial number is stamped in metal so it doesn't wear easily.
Can you return a gun to Smith and Wesson? ›Should your Smith & Wesson firearm require service, it should be returned to Smith & Wesson in the blue carrying case or a similarly secure container (Do not ship in a presentation case). It is not necessary to take the gun to a dealer for shipment.
What does the M&P stand for in Smith & Wesson? ›M&P is a fairly broad line of both pistols and rifles made by Smith and Wesson. Although "M&P" stands for "Military and Police," the M&P line is marketed primarily to civilians. I believe that all of the pistols in the M&P line have polymer frames (rather than steel ones), and all of the rifles are of the AR15 type.
Is it okay to dry fire a revolver? ›Dry firing a center-fire semi-auto or revolver is entirely safe. The firing pin does not strike anything, so it is not in danger of damage. Companies such as Glock and Sig Sauer state on their websites state that dry firing their center-fire handguns is safe.
What is the most popular gun model? ›- Glock 19 Gen 5, Stock.
- G43.
- Sig Sauer P365.
- Springfield Armory Hellcat.
- G43x with TLR-7 Sub.
- Taurus G2C.
- S&W M&P Sport II.
- Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22.
In addition to a unique serial number, each firearm must be marked to show the model (if any); the caliber or gauge; the name of the manufacturer and importer, or recognizable abbreviations; the country of manufacture; and the city and State (or recognized abbreviations) in which your licensed premises are located.
How much are antique guns worth? ›In reality, most older, mass-manufactured guns are actually worth much less than a brand-new model. For example, if the gun you obtained is a Mossberg 500 made anytime in the 1960s to 2020, it's worth approximately $75 to $300, depending on its condition.
Why do criminals file off serial numbers? ›The reason behind a person removing a serial number on a gun is to prevent police from tracing the gun to previous locations or people. There is no real purpose other than to keep the possessor untraceable.
How do police trace guns? ›The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives operates an electronic tracing system, often called eTrace, that is used to find the person who first legally purchased a recovered weapon. The ATF, using the make, model and serial number of the weapon, tracks down the original manufacturer.
What do the numbers mean in gun names? ›The numbers are usually the year the gun was invented/made, or the model/design number. For instance, the 15 in AR-15 means that the AR-15 is the 15th model of the AR platform. The 1911 in M1911 means that the gun was invented/made in the year 1911.
Who keeps track of gun serial numbers? ›
ATF's National Tracing Center is authorized to trace firearms by the Gun Control Act of 1968. ATF's National Tracing Center is only authorized to trace a firearm for a law enforcement agency involved in a bona fide criminal investigation.
What is a guns UPC number? ›Universal Product Code (UPC)
This is also usually the number with the bar code that is printed on the packaging or cover of the item.
Serial Number Information
Under current federal law serial numbers must be located on the frame or receiver of every firearm. Serial numbers (or partial numbers) can also be located on many other parts of firearms as well.
Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson founded the Smith & Wesson Company in Norwich, Connecticut in 1852 to develop the Volcanic rifle. Smith developed a new Volcanic Cartridge, which he patented in 1854.
How old is Smith and Wesson firearms? ›Smith & Wesson, American firearms manufacturer based in Springfield, Massachusetts. The partnership was first founded in 1852 by Horace Smith (1808–93) and Daniel B. Wesson (1825–1906) in Norwich, Connecticut, to make lever-action Volcanic repeating handguns firing caseless self-consuming bullets.
What is the rarest Smith and Wesson revolver? ›The ultra rare Smith & Wesson Model 320 was a revolving rifle produced by Smith & Wesson in the late 19th century. The Smith & Wesson Model 320 revolving rifle was based heavily on the design of the Smith & Wesson Model 3 pistol. 977 revolving rifles were manufactured between 1879 and 1887.
What is the ghost gun ruling? ›To help reduce the number of unmarked and hard-to-trace “ghost guns,” the rule establishes requirements for federally licensed firearms dealers and gunsmiths to have a serial number added to 3D printed guns or other un-serialized firearms they take into inventory.
Is HotGunz a real thing? ›HotGunz was created by gun owners who felt that regular citizens should have access to stolen gun information. With law enforcement databases only available to law enforcement personnel, there was no simple way of knowing if a used firearm was in fact a stolen gun.
Where is the serial number on a AR 15? ›You can find the pistol, rifle or lower serial number engraved on the lower receiver. Depending on which model you have purchased, the serial number could be on the left or right side of the lower receiver. The serial number will start with a letter followed by multiple numbers.
What gun does the Secret Service use? ›The Secret Service's current duty sidearm, the SIG-Sauer P229 double-action/single-action pistol chambered . 357 SIG, entered service in 1999. It is the issued handgun to all special agents as well as officers of the Uniformed Division. As of 2019, the SIG-Sauer P229 is scheduled to be replaced with Glock 9mm pistols.
What gun is the FBI issued? ›
The FBI Relies on Glock Gen 5 Handguns
Like many other law enforcement agencies, the FBI relies on the fifth generation of Glock handguns, including the Glock 19 Gen 5 and a Glock 17 Gen 5.
Tracing Process
Firearms tracing begins when ATF or another law enforcement agency discovers a firearm at a crime scene and wants to learn where it came from. NTC receives the trace request and uses the gun's serial number to identify its original manufacture or importer.
To help reduce the number of unmarked and hard-to-trace “ghost guns,” the rule establishes requirements for federally licensed firearms dealers and gunsmiths to have a serial number added to 3D printed guns or other un-serialized firearms they take into inventory.
Do I need to serialize my ghost gun? ›Under the regulation from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, gun dealers are required to serialize “ready to build” ghost gun kits and to perform background checks on perspective buyers as they would for other guns.
What is the 80% lower rule? ›In states like California, New York, and Washington state, it is illegal for those who have been convicted to own firearms as well as 80% lowers. That is, it is illegal in those states for someone to even own receiver blanks in the state.
What does AR number stand for? ›The letters stand for ArmaLite Rifle — and not for "assault rifle" or "automatic rifle." ArmaLite first developed the AR-15 in the late 1950s as a military rifle, but had limited success in selling it. In 1959 the company sold the design to Colt.
Do you need a background check to buy an AR-15 upper? ›There is also no FFL (Federal Firearms License) required to purchase an AR15 upper online. So you can buy as many as you'd like. You can also purchase complete uppers without an FFL license OR a background check. This is a benefit because it avoids additional processing time and potential fees.
Can 2 guns have the same serial number? ›Guns made 1968 and after must have unique serial numbers, but only unique within each manufacturer. Guns made before 1968 may have repeating serial numbers, or no serial number at all, and this is permitted because there was no legislation in force that prohibited such practice prior to 1968.