S & W experts ??

MIKE WISKEY

September 26, 2013 18:05

I just sold a nice S&W 25-5 nickle in .45 Colt (auction side here), it had one of the alphabet ser. #'s (AYJxxxx), I have a S&W 25-5 blue in .45 colt with a N ser. # (N 658xxx). Why the different type ser. #'s on the same model ?

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  rufe-snow

  September 26, 2013 18:39

  They started the 3 letter alpha prefix's in 1980. I heard it had something to do with the feds. Don't know if that's true or not, but wouldn't be a bit surprised. As a ex federal employee, I would be happy to attest that everything the gobiment touches eventually turns to s**t.

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  cussedemgun

  September 26, 2013 19:33

  Mike,
  
  The S&W 25-5 was produced from 1978 to 1988.
  
  The S&W 25-5 #N658xxx was produced in 1979/1980
  
  The S&W 25-5 #AYJxxxx was produced in 1988
  
  Also some time in 1988, they went to the M25-6 when several engineering changes were adopted, a new yoke retention system being one.

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  nmyers

  September 27, 2013 03:37

  It's due to permutations & combinations.
  
  With numbers in each position, you get 10 possibilities. But, when you go to alphabetic, there are 26 possibilities.
  
  With the old numbering system, they couldn't exceed Nxxxxxx without going to 8 positions (& requiring some new stamping presses). With 3 leading alphas, the possibilities are 26x26x26x9x9x9x9=? . (Too early to do the math in my head.)
  
  Neal

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  MIKE WISKEY

  September 27, 2013 04:24

  Thanks guys, I didn't know when they changed to the newer system

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