For approximately $100 , the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation can provide an official letter detailing exactly when your specific firearm was shipped and to which distributor.
Production was largely dedicated to military contracts (Victory Model), resulting in distinct V-prefix serial numbers (e.g., V1 - V800,000). 2. The Letter Prefixes (1950s - 1980s)
This is often the quickest way to get an answer. Enthusiast forums, particularly the Smith & Wesson Forum ( smith-wessonforum.com ), are bustling with experienced collectors who own the "Standard Catalog" and are generous with their knowledge. You can post the serial number (or just its prefix) along with clear photos of the gun, and members will typically provide a close estimate of its age and identify the model. Many large online archives also have dedicated sub-forums with known serial number data for popular models.