serial number location S&W Model 1-1/2

[Jeff22]

One of my friends just inherited some miscellaneous guns from a relative.

One of the guns is a Smith & Wesson Model 1-1/2 in (I think) .32 rimfire.

We've looked all over and can't find a serial number. There is a 5 digit number on the cylinder.

Does anybody know where we should be looking?

 

[laytonj1]

According to the Standard Catalog of S&W (assuming that it is a 32 rimfire tip up revolver) model 1 & 1/2, the serial number is stamped in the metal of the grip butt (visable without removing grips) and is usually stamped into the wood of the right side grip. The numbers should be the same.
An assembly number should be stamped on the rear of barrel under the bore (gun must be open to find it), the front or rear of the cylinder and the grip frame under the grips.



If it's a 32 S&W centerfire (single action top break) model 1 & 1/2, then the matching serial numbers would be on the cylinder face, barrel, frame, top latch and grips.

Jim

 

[Mike Irwin]

If it's .32 rimfire, it's a tip up single action, one of the early guns.

If it's .32 centerfire, it's a top break and a later model.

Unfortunately, S&W gave them extremely similar names.

The serial number on a tip up should be on the butt.

The number on the cylinder face is an assembly number and has nothing to do with the serial number.