K Frame Serial Number Prefixes

After WWII, target sighted K frames had a K prefix from 1946 until 1970, when S&W began to place a number before the K prefix.

A V prefix denotes a "Victory" Model, or a fixed sighted K frame produced during wartime. Fixed sighted K frames were given an S prefix from 1945 until 1948. Then they assumed a C prefix from 1948 until 1967 when the prefix changed to a D. The D prefix was used until 1977. The D prefix was continued until 1978, when a number began to precede the D.