7 letters and numbers on a modern revolver. Older guns could have fewer characters. The serial is usually stamped on the frame ahead of the cylinder, under the yolk when you open the cylinder. Any other numbers would usually be markings placed by the end user (military unit identification, police identification and such).
The Smith & Wesson 586 revolver with the serial number AJY4338 was manufactured in 1983. Smith & Wesson typically uses a letter prefix in their serial numbers to indicate the year of production, and the "AJY" prefix corresponds to that time period.
1995
email the serial# to smith & Wesson and they will respond with the date
1979
Check the butt.
No such serial number in Smith and Wesson data.
No serial number provided. Serial # 426742
1947
1974
1980
With the brief description that you have supplied,I would say that you have a SMith and Wesson model of 1905 4th change revolver.
You will have to provide the serial number and a detailed description of the weapon.