Check the butt and crane area.
The "Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson" by Jim Supica
On revolvers, they are usually on the butt. They MAY be concealed by the grips.
The Smith & Wesson K38 Masterpiece with serial number 200488 was manufactured around 1953. Smith & Wesson revolvers can often be dated using their serial numbers, as the company maintains records of production dates. For the most accurate information, it's advisable to consult a specific database or resource dedicated to Smith & Wesson firearms.
They are assembly numbers.
that is determined by the revolvers serial number.....................
Some older models of S&W revolvers you have to remove the grips to find the serial numbers engraved on the grip frame.
Smith & Wesson serial numbers can typically be found in several locations depending on the type of firearm. For handguns, the serial number is often located on the frame, usually on the right side or under the grip. For revolvers, it may also be found on the cylinder crane or yoke. For rifles and shotguns, the serial number is usually stamped on the receiver.
Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Supica and Nahas
Smith and Wesson did not make a model C but did use the letter C as a prefix to a serial number for the models 10,11,12,45,and Aircrewmen.The serial number C353425 indicates that your S&W was made from 1954-1956 before Smith and Wesson started marking there revolvers with the model number on the cranes of there revolvers in 1957.
To determine the age of a Smith & Wesson .38 Special with the serial number J189145, you would typically reference the company's production records. Generally, Smith & Wesson revolvers with serial numbers starting with "J" were produced in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Specifically, this serial number suggests it was likely manufactured around 1978. For precise dating, you may want to consult a detailed Smith & Wesson serial number reference guide or contact the manufacturer directly.
Smith & Wesson revolvers were never made in Spain, although many copies were.
Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 3rd, ed.