38 S&W Regulation Police pre Model of 1953 I frames. *NOTE: The one TRUE place you can be sure of reading the original serial number for all Hand Ejectors of any vintage with stamped numbers, (which includes any letter prefixed #s after WW II,) is the BUTT of the gun, (or front grip strap on non-round butt.
Mid-lock cam plate – “Triple Locks” only, in any caliber (up to all 5 digits).
Right stock only*** - on back, (except most post-war target grips because individual fitting is not required.) Stamped, scratched, or penciled depending on vintage and stock material.ħ. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight**Ħ. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroudģ. Gun butt* - or fore strap* on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the buttĢ. NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, cleaning, and an attitude that it is there!ġ. Here are the 6 (or 7 on Triple Locks) pre-war fixed sight frame serial # locations which are also the locations remaining after WW II thru ~1956 to look for (not including the 3 stamped serial # locations on pre-war style target sights for pre-war models, and early post-war Transitional models, see below):
