Swiss Army Watch Serial Number Lookup
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Last updated: 06/25/2000
Swiss Schmidt-Rubin rifles do not have the date of manufacture stampedon any of the rifle parts, so determining when the rifle (and mismatchedparts, if any) were manufactured must be determined from the serial numbers.The definitive work on this subject, and Schmidt-Rubin rifles in general,is Die Repetiergewehre der Schweiz, Die Systeme Vetterli und Schmidt-Rubin,by Reinhart, Sallaz, and am Rhyn (ISBN 3-7276-7102-5, copyright 1991 byVerlag Stocker-Schmid AG, Dietikon-Zuerich, Schweiz), from which the tablesgiven here are adapted. The notes about the various models of Schmidt-Rubinrifles are pilfered almost verbatim from Rifles of the World, 2ndedition, by John Walter (ISBN 0-87349-202-1, copyright 1998, publishedby Krause Publications, 700 E. StateStreet, Iola, WI 54990-0001, USA). The rifle photographs are from SamcoGlobal Arms, and are used with permission.
Below is a short description of the various models of Swiss Schmidt-Rubinrifles, and then the tables that are necessary to determine when a particularrifle was manufactured (given the model and serial number).
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Contents
Introduction
Eduard Rubin (1846-1920) developed the first successful small-calibercopper-jacketed bullets that could withstand velocities higher than werenormal in the 1880s. Rubin cartridges with a caliber of 8.1-9.6 mm weretested against an 8.6 mm Hebler pattern in Switzerland in 1882. The Heblercartridge, which had a paper-mache core, attained a prodigious velocitybut the Rubin pattern proved to be far more accurate.
In 1884, Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft converted 130 Vetterlirifles to fire 7.5 mm and 8 mm Rubin cartridges. Most were adapted fromobsolete infantry weapons, but a few had been trial guns of 1873-75; thesehad a distinctive bolt-support guide extending back above the wrist ofthe butt.
Also chambered for Rubin ammunition, Rudolf Schmidt's first straight-pullbolt mechanism of 1885 relied on an actuating rod, set in a channel onthe right side of the breach, to rotate the bolt through a helical channelcut in the bolt sleeve. Twin lugs were provided midway along the bolt sleeve,locking into the receiver directly above the trigger.
Model 1889
This rifle was officially adopted on June 26, 1889. Tooling had alreadybegun in the state factory, and so the first deliveries were surprisinglyspeedy. The M1889 was a most unusual design, with a characteristicallySwiss nose cap/bayonet lug/stacking rod assembly, and a receiver with anoticeable gap between the trigger guard and the magazine. The great lengthof the bolt weakened the Schmidt system greatly. Production ceased in 1897after 211,890 rifles and 40-50 drill rifles (Exerzierwaffen) had been delivered.
Model 1889 rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.
Manufactured 1891-1897 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: about 212,000
Model1889/96
The inherent weaknesses of the 1889-pattern Schmidt action were recognizedafter protracted experience with the standard 7.5 mm 1890-pattern cartridgehad been gained. As soon as attempts were made to increase the muzzle velocity,the problems intensified.
Testing of 50 modified rifles allowed the improved Vogelsang/Rebholzaction to be adopted on September 27, 1897. Though the 1889/96 rifle resembledits predecessor externally, the locking lugs had been moved to the frontof the bolt-sleeve. This strengthened the action by placing less of thesleeve under compressive stress, and reduced the gap between the triggerand the magazine by 0.4 inches.
The rifles were reclassified as the '[Infantrie-]Gewehr 89/96' in 1909;by November 1912, 127,050 service rifles and about 20 Exerzierwaffen hadbeen made.
Manufactured 1897-1912 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 127,000
Model 1897Cadet Rifle
The Kadettengewehr was adopted on July 27, 1898, after trials with gunsderived from the Mannlicher cavalry carbine and the Schmidt-system rifles.The single-shot M1897 had a special quadrant sight with differing setsof gradations for the Ordonnanzpatrone (to 1200 meters on the left side)or the reduced-charge Kadetten-Patrone (to 400 meters on the right). Inaddition to standard guns, about 40 sub-caliber trainers were also made.
Manufactured 1898-1927 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 7900
Model 1900Short Rifle
Adopted on April 9, 1901, the Kurzgewehr was based on the 1896-patternaction; apart from its length, the smaller magazine and reduced-range sight,it was similar to the M1889/96 infantry rifle.
Many surviving 1900-type guns were among the 26,340 carbines and shortrifles converted to '1911' standards by Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik in1913-1920. Accepting 7.5 mm Ordonnanz 11 cartridges, they had four-grooverifling.
Manufactured 1901-1911 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 18,750
Model 1905Cavalry Carbine
Preceded by a handful of experimental designs - including one with afolding stock and another with a three-piece cleaning rod carried beneaththe forend - the Karabiner 05 was adopted in 1905 to replace the 1893-typeMannlicher. Stocked virtually to the muzzle, preventing the attachmentof bayonets, it had a full-length handguard and a sling-slot in the butt.
A decree signed on January 13, 1911, ordered the Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrikto modify 26,340 surviving M1900 short rifles and M1905 carbines to approximateto the 1911 pattern. The work was undertaken in Bern in 1913-1920. Theconverted guns had four-groove rifling and chambered 7.5x55 1911-type cartridges.
Manufactured 1906-1911 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 7900
Model1896/11
In 1913, as a result of a decree signed on January 13, 1911, conversionof 1896-type rifles to approximate to the 1911 pattern began in the EidgenoessischeWaffenfabrik. By March 1, 1920, 135,770 rifles had been altered. They hadfour-groove rifling and chambered the Ordonnanz 11 cartridge.As might be expected, this model markedly resembled the Model 1911 Rifle,some of the differences being:
- rounded buttplate on the M96/11, flat on the M11;
- pistol grip worked into the stock on the M96/11, integral to the stockon the M11;
- cutouts on the bottom of the receiver for older magazines on the M96/11,none on the M11 (picture);
- slightly differently shaped trigger guard on the M96/11 than on the M11(picture).
Model 1911
A universal increase in muzzle velocity, arising from widespread adoptionof point-bullet ammunition, caused further problems with the Swiss rifles.Trials were undertaken in 1908-10 with modified bullets and rifles embodyinga strengthened Vogelsang/Rebholz action. Apart from the tangent sight,these guns resembled their predecessors externally - though, once dismantled,three large holes were found to be bored through the bolt sleeve to reduceweight.
The perfected [Infantrie-]Gewehr 11 was formally approved on January10, 1913, together with adaptations of several earlier weapons. The newguns had a strengthened action, a hold-open to signify an empty magazine,a pistol-grip stock and an improved rear sight.
Lightroom presets free download zip for android. Manufactured 1913-1919 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 133,000
Model 1911Carbine
Adopted concurrently with the 1911-pattern infantry rifle in January1913, to replace the short rifle and cavalry carbine, this was readilydistinguished by its short barrel and stock. It was mechanically identicalto the rifle.
Model 1911 carbines are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.
Manufactured 1914-1933 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 184,200
Model 1931Short Rifle
By 1930, it had become clear that important changes were required inthe 1911-type Schmidt action to keep abreast of improved technology. OnJanuary 22, 1932, therefore, the Bundesrat approved the manufacture ofabout 20 experimental short rifles; the Karabiner 31 was formally adoptedon June 16, 1933.
Great changes had been made in the action which, though retaining theessence of the original Schmidt principle, locked into the receiver ringrather than behind the magazine well. In addition, the bolt did not projectas far beyond the bolt carrier, reducing the length compared with the 1896-typeaction by 2.4 inches.
The Karabiner 31 had a longer barrel than the Karabiner 11, which wasof similar overall length. An improved sight was fitted, and the semi-pistolgrip stock - with a sling bar let into the left side of the butt - wasretained by a clamping nose cap accepting any of the standard Swiss swordbayonets.
Military production finished in 1958 after more than half a millionKarabiner 31 had been made in the Bern factory. A hundred otherwise standardexamples were supplied in the 1930s to equip the elite Swiss Guard (or'Papstliche Schweizergarde') in the Vatican; these guns were apparentlynumbered 249047-249146.
Several cutaway examples of the Karabiner 31 were also manufactured.Illustrated are photographs of the topandleftside of the receiver area of one example (photographs courtesy of ThomasWenk).
Model 1931 short rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.
Manufactured 1933-1958 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 582,230
Model 1931/42and 1931/43 Sniper Rifles
Experiments had been undertaken with optically-sighted Karabiner 11as early as 1919, but the project had been shelved until trials with Karabiner31 and Zeiss, Wild, Gerber and Kern sights began in 1935 in the SchiessschuleWalenstadt.
Though the low-power Kern sight was accepted in November 1940 and ahundred experimental carbines had been manufactured in 1943, the perfectedZf.-Kar.31/42 was not approved until July 1, 1944. It had a 1.8x sight,offset on the left side of the receiver alongside the bolt. Each sighthad a small auxiliary tangent sight and a unique pivoting periscope head.
Otherwise identical to its 31/42 predecessor, the Model 31/43 had animproved 2.8x sight on the left side of the receiver.
Manufactured 1944-1946 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 2240
Model 1955Sniper Rifles
Based on the Model 1931 short rifle and featuring a top-mounted Kern3.5x sight (graduated to 800m), this rifle was adopted in 1956 to replacethe M31/42 and M31/43. The 1955-type guns had a special half-stock witha checkered pistol grip, a folding bipod and a special muzzle brake.
Manufactured 1957-59 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 4150
Bayonets
There are six basic types of sword bayonets for the Schmidt-Rubin rifles,all of which have a muzzle ring and a short, flat quillon approximately1+3/4 incles in length. There is also a rod bayonet, for which see below.Color photographs courtesy of Ronnie Wilson, and nomenclature fromBayonetsfrom Janzen's Notebook, with alternates (indicated by italics)being from Reinhart, Sallaz, and am Rhyn where they differ from Janzen.
- Model 1889: The fullered blade is 11+5/8 inches in length, and ithas plain wooden grips. It has a tendency to slide out of the scabbard.
- Model 1889/99 (1889/1918): Similar to the Model 1889, exceptfor a stud which was mounted in the fuller's groove to prevent the bayonetfrom sliding out of the scabbard.
- Model 1889/11 (1899): Also similar to the Model 1889, exceptthat a ramp was machined into the fuller's groove to prevent the bayonetfrom sliding out of the scabbard.
- Model 1892 (1889/92): An all steel rod bayonet manufacturedusing the blade from an old socket bayonet. It was issued to cyclists andmachine gunners.
- Model 1906 Pioneer: A transitional sawback bayonet having a Vetterliblade and a Schmidt-Rubin handle.
- Model 1914 Pioneer: The long, heavy sawback blade is approximately19 inches in length. The blade is fullered on the right side, and flaton the left.
- Model 1918 - Similar to the Models 1889, 1889/99, and 1889/11 exceptthat the blade is double edged and unfullered.
ManufactureDates
To determine the date of manufacture of a particular rifle, one needsto know both the model and the serial number. Given the model, go to theappropriate table and look for the range of serial numbers that spans thegiven serial number. The corresponding date for that serial number is shownin the left column of the table.
For example, given a Model 1911 with a serial number of 2673xx, thetables show no such serial number for a Model 1911. There is a range spanningthis serial number for a Model 1889/96, however, showing a manufacturedate of 1900. Knowing that the M89/96s were converted to approximate theM1911 form, we conclude that this rifle is a Model 1889/96/11 manufacturedin 1900.
As another example, given a Model 1931 with a serial number of 9999xx,the tables indicate that this rifle was manufactured in 1953.
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1893 | 40 | E1-E39 (E20 doubled) |
| 1895 | 2 | E43, E45 |
| 1896 | 2 | E42, E44 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | 24900 | 1-24900 |
| 1892 | 90100 | 24901-115000 |
| 1893 | 59100 | 115001-174100 |
| 1894 | 8787 | 174101-174887 175001-183000 |
| 1895 | 12500 | 183001-195500 |
| 1896 | 12500 | 195501-208000 |
| 1897 | 4000 | 208001-212000 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1896 | 250 | 4251-4500 |
| 1897 | 250 | 4501-4750 |
| 1898 | 250 | 4751-5000 |
| 1899 | 250 | 5001-5250 |
| 1900 | 400 | 5251-5650 |
| 1901 | 500 | 5651-6150 |
| 1902 | 500 | 6151-6650 |
| 1903 | 500 | 6651-7150 |
| 1904 | 300 | 7151-7450 |
| 1905 | 300 | 7451-7750 |
| 1895-1905 | 96 | P1-P96 - Private series, numbers P46-P84 for a commercial company, Paris |
| 1897-1903 | 11 | E1-E11, extra series, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 2 | E2-E3 |
| 1899 | 4 | E4-E7 |
| 1900 | 4 | E8-E11 |
| 1904 | 4 | E12-E15 |
| 1908 | 4 | E16-E19 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1895 | 50 | 1-50 |
| 1897 | 9000 | 212001-221000 |
| 1898 | 15500 | 221001-236500 |
| 1899 | 15500 | 236501-252000 |
| 1900 | 16500 | 252001-268500 |
| 1901 | 11500 | 268501-280000 |
| 1902 | 12000 | 280001-292000 |
| 1903 | 10000 | 292001-302000 |
| 1904 | 8000 | 302001-310000 |
| 1905 | 6000 | 310001-316000 |
| 1906 | 6000 | 316001-322000 |
| 1907 | 5000 | 322001-327000 |
| 1908 | 5000 | 327001-332000 |
| 1909 | 4800 | 332001-336800 |
| 1910 | 6300 | 336801-343100 |
| 1911 | 1900 | 343101-345000 |
| 1912 | 4000 | 345001-349000 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1899 | 18 | E1-E18 |
| 1900 | 6 | E19-E24 |
| 1901 | 9 | E25-E33 |
| 1902 | 3 | E34-E36 (P9+P34?) |
| 1903 | 2 | E37-E38 |
| 1904 | 1 | E39 |
| 1907 | 1 | E40 (P40) |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1898 | 2100 | 1-2100 |
| 1899 | 1649 | 2101-3749 |
| 1900 | 1580 | 3750-5329 |
| 1901 | 499 | 5330-5828 |
| 1902 | 193 | 5829-6021 |
| 1903 | 232 | 6022-6253 |
| 1904 | 151 | 6254-6404 |
| 1905 | 114 | 6405-6518 |
| 1906 | 183 | 6519-6701 |
| 1907 | 150 | 6702-6851 |
| 1908 | 82 | 6852-6933 |
| 1909 | 37 | 6934-6970 |
| 1910 | 236 | 6971-7206 |
| 1911 | 99 | 7207-7305 |
| 1912 | 115 | 7306-7420 |
| 1914 | 231 | 15001-15231 |
| 1915 | 33 | 15232-15264 |
| 1916 | 70 | 15265-15334 |
| 1918 | 2 | 15335-15336 |
| 1924 | 26 | 15337-15362 |
| 1925 | 20 | 15363-15382 |
| 1926 | 80 | 15383-15462 |
| 1927 | 15 | 15463-15477 |
| 1898-1919 | 45 | P1-P45, Private series entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 5000 | 1-5000 |
| 1902 | 885 | 5001-5885 |
| 1903 | 915 | 5886-6800 |
| 1904 | 1000 | 6801-7800 |
| 1905 | 1500 | 7801-9300 |
| 1906 | 1500 | 9301-10800 |
| 1907 | 1750 | 10801-12550 |
| 1908 | 1750 | 12551-14300 |
| 1909 | 1650 | 14301-15950 |
| 1910 | 1500 | 15951-17450 |
| 1911 | 1300 | 17451-18750 |
| ? | 176 | P1-P176 [sic], Private series, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| 1903 Zoll | 89 | P72-P150 |
| 1904 Zoll | 300 | P173-P472 |
| ? | 50 | P501-P550 |
| Zoll | 394 | P551-P944 |
| Zoll | 190 | P951-P1140 |
| Zoll | 103 | P1141-P1243 |
Note:
Zoll - Customs service
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 810 | 1-810 |
| 1907 | 2790 | 811-3600 |
| 1908 | 2600 | 3601-6200 |
| 1909 | 500 | 6201-6700 |
| 1910 | 600 | 6701-7300 |
| 1911 | 600 | 7301-7900 |
| 1906-1914 | 39 | P1-P39, Private series, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Year | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 1912 | 5000 |
| 1913 | 40000 |
| 1914 | 51000 |
| 1915 | 38000 |
| 1916 | 1500 |
| 1918 | 200 |
| 1919 | 50 |
| 1920 | 20 |
Hamilton Watch Serial Number Lookup
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 6000 | 355001-361000 |
| 1913 | 14000 | 349001-355000 361001-369000 |
| 1914 | 5000 | 369001-374000 |
| 1915 | 22000 | 374001-396000 |
| 1916 | 32000 | 396001-428000 |
| 1917 | 31000 | 428001-459000 |
| 1918 | 20000 | 459001-479000 |
| 1919 | 3000 | 479001-482000 |
| ? | 200 | P5000-P5200, Private series, last manufactured on October 10, 1919, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| ? | 1 | P5219 |
| ? | 698 | P5251-P5948 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 6000 | 30001-36000 |
| 1915 | 4000 | 36001-40000 |
| 1916 | 13000 | 40001-53000 |
| 1917 | 16100 | 53001-54400 55001-62000* 62301-70000** |
| 1918 | 19000 | 70001-89000 |
| 1919 | 2000 | 89001-91000 |
| 1920 | 6500 | 91001-97500 |
| 1921 | 8500 | 97501-106000 |
| 1922 | 7500 | 106001-113500 |
| 1923 | 7900 | 113501-121400 |
| 1924 | 7600 | 121401-129000 |
| 1925 | 7500 | 129001-136500 |
| 1926 | 9900 | 136501-146400 |
| 1927 | 12600 | 146401-159000 |
| 1928 | 11500 | 159001-170500 |
| 1929 | 12800 | 170501-183300 |
| 1930 | 9900 | 183301-193200 |
| 1931 | 8800 | 193201-202000 |
| 1932 | 9200 | 202001-211200 |
| 1933 | 3900 | 211201-215100 |
| 1913-1919 | 300 | P2001-P2300, Private series entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Zoll | 18 | P2013-2030 |
| Zoll | 8 | P2037-P2044 |
| Zoll | 30 | P2071-P2100 |
| Zoll | 100 | P2101-P2200 |
| without entries | 4 | P2201-P2204 |
| ? | 19 | P2205-P2223 |
| Zoll | 50 | P2251-P2300 |
Notes:
Zoll - Customs service
* Serial numbers 54401-55000 and 62001-62300 are missing (900 pieces)
** Serial numbers 69701-69750 have double entries, but are only enteredonce in this list. Consequently, the total of the Model 1911 Carbines listedhere comes to 185150 pieces.
| Year | Who | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1915 | Kriegstechnische Abteilung, Bern - | E500 |
| 1914 | Koenigliche Gewehrpruefungskommission, Ruheleben-Spandau - Spanische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E501 E502 |
| 1919 | Emile Galley, Lausanne - | E503 |
| 1920 | Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern - Englische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E504 E505 |
| 1915 | Eidgenpessiosches Militaerdepartement, Bern - | E506-E507 |
| 1917 | Sektion fuer Munition, Thun - | E508 |
| 1918 | Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E509 |
| 1919 | Franzoesische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E510 |
| 1920 | Franzoesische Kriegsministerium, Paris - Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires - | E511-E520 E521-E522 |
| 1921 | Italienische Gesandtschaft, Bern - Italienischer Militaerattache, Bern - Flugplatzdirektion, Duebendorf - Sektion fuer Schiessversuche, Thun - | E523 E524 E525 E526-E527 |
| 1922 | Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun - Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun - Internationales Wettschiessen, Mailand - The High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, London - | E525? E528-E529 E530 E531 |
| 1923 | Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, Paris - | E532 |
| 1924 | Eidgenoessisches Schuetzenfest, Aarau - KTA, fuer Schweden - KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei - | E533-E534 E535 E536 |
| 1925 | KTA, fuer Waffenfabrik Oviedo - KTA, Bern - Schiessschule Walenstadt - | E537 E538-E539 E540-E541 |
| 1926 | Afghanische Regierung (mit Dolch 18) - KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei - | E542 E543 |
| 1934 | J. Alder W+F, Bern - | E544 |
Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
W+F - Waffenfabrik
| Year | Who | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern | E1 |
| 1919 | Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern | E2 |
| 1920 | Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern - Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires - Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires - | E3 E5 E6 |
| 1921 | Direktion Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern | E7 |
| 1923 | Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, Paris | E4 |
| 1926 | Afghanische Regierung | E8 |
| 1932 | Wojskorny Zaklad, Warschau - Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik, Oerlikon - | E9 E10 |
| 1952 | unreadable | E11 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | 1000 | 1-1000 |
| 1914 | 8000 | 1001-9000 |
| 1915 | 8000 | 9001-17000 |
| 1916 | 8200 | 17001-25200 |
| 1917 | 900 | 25201-26100 |
| 1918 | 100 | 26101-26200 |
| 1919 | 70 | 26201-26270 |
| 1920 | 65 | 26271-26335 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1923 | KTA, Bern | V1-V10 |
| 1926 | KTA, fuer Schiessschule Walenstadt | V1-V200 |
Note: KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 1193 | 520010-521202 |
| 1934 | 15534 | 521203-536736 |
| 1935 | 13664 | 536737-550400 |
| 1936 | 11326 | 550401-561727 |
| 1937 | 11639 | 561728-573366 |
| 1938 | 10344 | 573367-583700 |
| 1939 | 15300 | 583701-599000 |
| 1940 | 33575 | 599001-632575 |
| 1941 | 54150 | 632576-686725 |
| 1942 | 49350 | 686726-736075 |
| 1943 | 50475 | 736076-786550 |
| 1944 | 51900 | 786551-838450 |
| 1945 | 26200 | 838451-864650 |
| 1946 | 15600 | 864651-880250 |
| 1947 | 20950 | 880251-901200 |
| 1948 | 20100 | 901201-921300 |
| 1949 | 15500 | 921301-936800 |
| 1950 | 13200 | 936801-950000 |
| 1951 | 23050 | 950001-973050 |
| 1952 | 21400 | 973051-994450 |
| 1953 | 5549 7450 | 994451-999999 215001-222450 |
| 1954 | 17150 | 222451-239600 |
| 1955 | 11250 | 239601-250850 |
| 1956 | 6400 | 250851-257250 |
| 1957 | 2950 | 257251-260200 |
| 1958 | 3130 | 260201-263330 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 16 | ? |
| 1935 | 500 | 400001-400500 |
| 1936 | 100 Zoll | 401001-401100 |
| 1937 | 150 Zoll 200 | 401101-401250 400501-400700 |
| 1938 | 150 | 400701-400850 |
| 1939 | 20 | 401501-401520 |
| 1940 | 150 530 50 50 | 400851-401000 401521-402050 402151-402220 402251-402300 |
| 1941 | 300 | 402301-402600 |
| 1942 | 650 | 402501[sic]-403150[sic] |
| 1943 | 350 | 403151-403500 |
| 1944 | 400 | 403501-403900 |
| 1945 | 600 | 403901-404500 |
| 1946 | 837 | 404501-405337 |
| 1947 | 929 30 | 405322[sic]-406250 E519767-E519796 |
| 1948 | 400 | 406251-406650 |
| 1949 | 650 | 406651-407300 |
| 1950 | 400 50 | 407301-407700 408001-408050 |
| 1951 | 300 50 | 407701-408000 408051-408100 |
| 1952 | 300 | 408101-408400 |
| 1953 | 450 50 | 408401-408850 409051-409100 |
| 1954 | 200 100 | 408851-409050 409101-409200 |
| 1955 | 450 100 | 409201-409650 410151-410250 |
| 1956 | 450 | 409651-410100 |
| 1957 | 50 300 | 410101-410150 410251-410550 |
| 1958 | 475 | 410551-411025 |
| 1959 | 425 | 411026-411450 |
| 1960 | 300 | 411451-411750 |
| 1961 | 300 | 411751-412050 |
| 1962 | 400 | 412051-412450 |
| 1963 | 50 400 | 267331-267380 412451-412850 |
| 1968-1969 | 150 | various numbers |
| 1971 | 150 50 | 269431-269580 269881-269930 |
| Stand (?) 1972 | 250 | various numbers |
Note:
Zoll - Customs service
| Serial numbers | Allocation |
|---|---|
| 215001-350000 | K31 Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV |
| 350001-400000 | K31 Carbine series |
| P400001-P450000 | Private K31 Carbine series |
| 450001-500000 | K31 Carbines with telescopic sights (sniper versions) |
| 500001-500200 | Trials versions |
| E519701-E519900 | Various special K31s |
| 519901-519999 | Cutaway K31s (running backwards?), last number 519970 |
| 520001-520150 | Carbine series ordered by KTA, delivered by W+F for special purposes |
| 520081-520100 | Ditto, reserved for W+F |
| 520151-999999 | Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV |
| after 550651 | Hardened magazine boxes |
| after 540001 | Hardened receivers |
Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
KMV - Kriegsmaterialverwaltung
W+F - Waffenfabrik
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | 96 | ? |
| 1944 | 403 | ? |
| 1945 | 1537 | ? |
| 1946 | 205 | ? |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | 170 | 1001-1170 |
| 1958 | 3030 | 1171-4200 |
| 1959 | 800 | 4201-5000 |
| ? | 150 | 5001-5150 |
Citizen Watch Serial Number Lookup
Comments? Questions? Mail me at bbrown@radix.netAmericans have been in numerous wars over the decades but it was not until February 12, 1918, that there was the introduction of US Army serial numbers (SNs). Before that date the main method of identification of soldiers was by the ‘roster rolls’ or ‘muster rolls’, the listing of soldiers during a specific time period.
The first service numbers to be issued in February 1918 were only to Army enlisted personnel. Other military branches (Navy, Marines) were still small enough not needing serial numbers. The first Army personnel issued the first number was Master Sergeant Arthur Crean. Imagine that was your ancestor and you have just learned that bit of information. After WW I in 1920, the Army introduced the first “service number prefix” which was intended to be a letter placed in front of the service number to provide additional information about the veteran. Also in 1920 was when Army officers received serial numbers, with the letter “O”, the first being issued to General John J. Pershing.
By 1942 those prefix letters were discontinued, just numbers used. New sets of numbers were used, mostly for those drafted during WW II. Other changes would come about over the next few years but by July 1, 1969, service numbers were declared discontinued. Instead, military personnel were identified by their social security number.
See below the first couple of numbers / letters and what they referred to identification of a soldier. These numbers were also placed on the ‘dog tags’ – metal tags worn by all soldiers. Another good source for additional information is this link on Army serial numbers.
Look at the First Number or Letter
Some prefixes were used in World War I. However, the following system began shortly before World War II.
The first character gives us a lot of information.
- 1 = Enlisted in the Army (in other words, volunteered rather than drafted)
- 2 = Federally recognized National Guard
- 3 = Drafted
- 4 = Drafted
- O (that’s the letter O, not a zero) = Male commissioned officers
- W = Male Warrant officers
- T = Flight officers (Army Air Force)
- L = Commissioned officers of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC)
- V = WAC Warrant officers
- A = WAC enlisted women
- R = Hospital dietitians
- M = Physical therapy aides
When you have an 8-digit serial number, the second number shows the Service Command. This narrows down where the person enlisted or was drafted. If you have a serial number for a member of the WAC, look at the number after the letter prefix.
*1 = Connecticut Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
- 2 = Delaware, New Jersey, New York
- 3 = Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia
- 4 = Alabama, Florida, Georgia Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
- 5 = Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia
- 6 = Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin
- 7 = Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
- 8 = Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- 9 = Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
- 0 = When the first number is 3, the zero means he was drafted outside the U.S. (301 indicates Panama; 302 indicates Puerto Rico)
See if you can locate your ancestors’ serial number or their ‘dog tags’.
Photos: Collection of a soldier’s ID and a ‘dog tag’.
Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:
< Return To Blog We are creating collage to honor our grandfather who served in WWI. We located a site that can reproduce a original WWI era Dog Tag. Although, we have 99% of the information that would have been on the tag its the service number that a problem as we have no idea what it was. Was told that there is a way to get that information using a government site but have no idea what it is. Does anyone know it or whether it can be done? The GunnyWatch Serial Numbers Lookup
Rich Carter 5/12/16
Such a great idea and exciting adventure for all of you. I would recommend you visit the link below to the National Archives at St. Louis. I hope this help if you need more information you could always visit, https://www.cyndislist.com/, Cydi's List. https://www.archives.gov/st-louis
FamilyTree.com 5/12/16
But a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design.
Mayra Jurich 5/12/16
Glad you are pleased.
Swiss Army Watch Serial Number Lookup Engine
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Hairstyles 5/12/16
Glad it is fun and helpful for you. My blogs come out usually on odd dates-15, 17, 19, etc with an occasional even date. you never know what could be next. Happy New Year.