Note: S&W did not ship in strict numerical order, so these ranges are always approximate. Databases only work if we share. If you own a Model 17 (or any K-22 variant), consider logging your data on forums like Smith & Wesson Forum (SWF) or Reddit r/Revolvers .
Have a great database resource? Drop the link in the comments below to help fellow S&W nuts!
If you need absolute certainty for insurance or a court case, pay for the factory letter. If you are just curious about when your grandpa bought his squirrel gun, a database is your best friend. Final Shot The Smith & Wesson Model 17 is a revolver that rewards the obsessive. Whether you are chasing a "one line address" variant or just want to know which vintage of ammo it grew up with, the serial number is your treasure map.
The answer lies in the steel frame, under the yoke. But deciphering those digits? That requires a . Why You Need More Than Just a Blue Book While the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (by Supica and Nahas) is the bible of S&W collecting, a dynamic, user-contributed database serves a different purpose. Here is why collectors are obsessed with building and using these logs: 1. Pinpointing the "Dash" Variations The Model 17 went through several engineering changes (Model 17, 17-1, 17-2, etc.). A database helps you see clusters of serial numbers. Did they change the barrel rifling at 5K numbers? Did the "three-screw" frame end specifically at serial number K 345,xxx ? A database aggregates real-world guns to confirm these factory letters. 2. Authenticity Verification Fakes and "Franken-guns" (parts guns) are common. If you find a Model 17 with a serial number from 1960 but a pinned barrel that should have disappeared by 1982, a database of known examples will flag the inconsistency before you hand over your cash. 3. The "Letter" Alternative You can pay Smith & Wesson $100 for a historical letter (which is worth it for rare guns). But for a standard Model 17, a database search can often give you the exact ship year for free. Knowing that your serial number K 300,000 shipped in 1958 helps you buy the correct period grips. What You Will Find in a Typical Model 17 Database Most serious collectors track the following data points. Here is a hypothetical slice of what a lookup might look like:
There is a certain magic that comes with holding a vintage Smith & Wesson Model 17. Officially known as the K-22 Masterpiece (pre-1957), this .22 LR revolver is the gold standard for rimfire accuracy. But whether you just inherited a six-inch beauty from your grandfather or snagged a "shooter grade" at a gun show, one question always pops up: "How old is this thing, and what is its story?"
| Serial Number | Model Variation | Barrel Length | Dash # | Approx. Ship Date | Unique Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | K-22 Masterpiece | 6" | Pre-17 | 1953 | 5-screw, Micarta grips | | K 458,2xx | Model 17 | 6" | No Dash | 1960 | 4-screw, Diamond Target stocks | | 17K 8,550 | Model 17-2 | 4" | -2 | 1977 | Heavy barrel, red ramp front sight | | BCC 0,134 | Model 17-6 | 6" | -6 | 1990 | Full lug, rubber combat grips |
Go check the butt, look up the number, and log it. You might just help another collector solve a 50-year-old mystery.
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Smith And Wesson Model 17 Serial Number Database | Trusted SOLUTION |
Note: S&W did not ship in strict numerical order, so these ranges are always approximate. Databases only work if we share. If you own a Model 17 (or any K-22 variant), consider logging your data on forums like Smith & Wesson Forum (SWF) or Reddit r/Revolvers .
Have a great database resource? Drop the link in the comments below to help fellow S&W nuts! smith and wesson model 17 serial number database
If you need absolute certainty for insurance or a court case, pay for the factory letter. If you are just curious about when your grandpa bought his squirrel gun, a database is your best friend. Final Shot The Smith & Wesson Model 17 is a revolver that rewards the obsessive. Whether you are chasing a "one line address" variant or just want to know which vintage of ammo it grew up with, the serial number is your treasure map. Note: S&W did not ship in strict numerical
The answer lies in the steel frame, under the yoke. But deciphering those digits? That requires a . Why You Need More Than Just a Blue Book While the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (by Supica and Nahas) is the bible of S&W collecting, a dynamic, user-contributed database serves a different purpose. Here is why collectors are obsessed with building and using these logs: 1. Pinpointing the "Dash" Variations The Model 17 went through several engineering changes (Model 17, 17-1, 17-2, etc.). A database helps you see clusters of serial numbers. Did they change the barrel rifling at 5K numbers? Did the "three-screw" frame end specifically at serial number K 345,xxx ? A database aggregates real-world guns to confirm these factory letters. 2. Authenticity Verification Fakes and "Franken-guns" (parts guns) are common. If you find a Model 17 with a serial number from 1960 but a pinned barrel that should have disappeared by 1982, a database of known examples will flag the inconsistency before you hand over your cash. 3. The "Letter" Alternative You can pay Smith & Wesson $100 for a historical letter (which is worth it for rare guns). But for a standard Model 17, a database search can often give you the exact ship year for free. Knowing that your serial number K 300,000 shipped in 1958 helps you buy the correct period grips. What You Will Find in a Typical Model 17 Database Most serious collectors track the following data points. Here is a hypothetical slice of what a lookup might look like: Have a great database resource
There is a certain magic that comes with holding a vintage Smith & Wesson Model 17. Officially known as the K-22 Masterpiece (pre-1957), this .22 LR revolver is the gold standard for rimfire accuracy. But whether you just inherited a six-inch beauty from your grandfather or snagged a "shooter grade" at a gun show, one question always pops up: "How old is this thing, and what is its story?"
| Serial Number | Model Variation | Barrel Length | Dash # | Approx. Ship Date | Unique Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | K-22 Masterpiece | 6" | Pre-17 | 1953 | 5-screw, Micarta grips | | K 458,2xx | Model 17 | 6" | No Dash | 1960 | 4-screw, Diamond Target stocks | | 17K 8,550 | Model 17-2 | 4" | -2 | 1977 | Heavy barrel, red ramp front sight | | BCC 0,134 | Model 17-6 | 6" | -6 | 1990 | Full lug, rubber combat grips |
Go check the butt, look up the number, and log it. You might just help another collector solve a 50-year-old mystery.