Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 (often colloquially called the "Model 195") is a critical engineering variant of the famed .357 Combat Magnum . Produced between 1982 and 1988
The "dash-five" (-5) revision introduced significant manufacturing changes compared to earlier Model 19s:
When auditing a vintage Smith & Wesson, the serial number is your roadmap. It dictates the exact engineering revisions the factory implemented at that moment in history. Before attempting to install, alter, or replace any internal lockwork or external furniture, always remove the grips, locate the true serial number on the frame butt, and confirm the specific engineering dash-number stamped inside the yoke. Treating these classic firearms with historical accuracy ensures they maintain their financial value and mechanical integrity for generations to come.
How to determine the date of a 357 195 revolver Smith & Wesson
: For a fee, the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation provides official "Letters of Authenticity" that detail exactly when your firearm was shipped and its original configuration. smith and wesson model 195 serial numbers install
If you need a factory letter to confirm your specific revolver’s ship date (which costs $100), send the serial number to the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation.
The Smith & Wesson Model 195—historically categorized under the broader umbrella of S&W .45 target handguns and early postwar developments—carries a rich legacy that captivates modern firearm collectors. Understanding the serial number architecture of vintage S&W frames is essential for establishing provenance, verifying manufacturing dates, and ensuring proper parts integration.
: This is the most authoritative location. You may need to remove the wooden or rubber grips to see it clearly.
: By the time the 19-5 was produced, serial numbers typically consisted of a three-letter prefix followed by four digits (e.g., Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation Dating Your Model 19-5 The Model 19-5 was introduced in Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 (often colloquially called
The series ran concurrently with other famous models (like the Registered Magnum descendants and the .44 Special models) up through the range.
What are you attempting to install or replace?
Because production batches did not always follow perfect alphabetical order across different models, the most definitive tracking source is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson . Below is the generalized chronological placement for prefixes associated with the Model 19-5 era:
The serial number is generally stamped on the frame, often near the trigger guard or on the side of the receiver. Interpreting S&W Serial Numbers: A Brief History Before attempting to install, alter, or replace any
The absolute authority for an S&W serial number is located on the .
(the precursor to the Model 24 and Model 26) involves identifying the frame size and checking specific serial number ranges. Prior to 1957, Smith & Wesson primarily used names rather than model numbers, and the Model of 1950 was produced on the large Locating the Serial Number The "serial number of record" is stamped on the bottom of the grip frame
One of the most frequent reasons owners search for their serial number is to buy and install aftermarket grips (such as Hogue, Pachmayr, or Altamont wood panels). Round Butt vs. Square Butt Frames
When you swing the cylinder open, you will see numbers stamped inside the frame recess. On a Model 19-5, you will typically find the text "MOD. 19-5" . However, any other numbers stamped near it are usually internal assembly numbers used during factory soft-fitting; they are not the serial number. Decoding the Three-Letter Prefix System (1982–1988)
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