Age of gun or manufacture date.

Question
Hi,   I have an  S & W snub nose .38  cal 2" barrel with a 663J6 serial number. J - frame. Could you help me with the age of it and any other info ?

Regards ,
Tom

Answer
 Hello Tom. Not much to go on, but I can tell you some about the J-Frame revolver. Smith&Wesson Began production on the J-Frame in 1950 without a Model Numbering System. They began with a Name System. Their first was the Chief Special which was released at, what we call today, a "Shot Show" in Denver Colorado. It became an instant success with sales to the Law Enforcement community. It became one of the widest used "hide-out or back-up gun" of the mid-20th century due to the small frame capable of firing five rounds of the popular .38 Special. It had a 2" or 3" barrel in double action with a swingout cylinder. In 1957, the Chief Special became Model 36. The Model M&P became the Model 10, the Terrier Became Model 32, the BodyGuard became Model 49,Centennial Model 40. There after, the Chief Special,BodyGuard and Centennial were produced in the ultra light "Airweight" Model 37,38 and 42 respectively. In 1965 stainless versions began to take the stage with the Chief Special becoming Model 60. These were all J-Frame revolvers.
  As for your gun with the serial number 663J6, it most likely had a manufacture date between 1971-1973. It was during this time the J in the serial number became known as the 'Wandering J'. It held several positions in the serial number sometimes as the first digit JXXXX, second J as XJXXX, third as XXJXX and fourth as XXXJX. Now you know why Smith&Wesson serial numbers are so hard to pin to a certain year. I hope this helps answer your questing.Charles Gage