Can't find 70 series serial number info to date mfg

[nitehawk55]

Either I have not found the proper site or I have an odd ball here but I have a colt IV 70 series with serial # SM42XXX . I do see in 45-46 there were some .22's with the "SM" suffix but this gun is as new NOT a .22 and still in the original cardboard box with the booklet showing a print date of 1981 so I'm guessing it's from the 80's.
Can anyone help me here ??? :butthead:

Thanks !!
nitehawk55

[OD*]

I would guess it's a '81, 82 or 1983. The new firing pin safety system (Series 80) was introduced in 1983.

[nitehawk55]

OK , I found this artical from "The Sight" which shows some of the different suffixes but is realy confusing . Is this telling me this is only one gun of 3000 produced between 1970-1983 that were marked with "SM" ?? As follows.....

MKIV/Series 70 Production Information
The Series 70 Government Model Colts were chambered in .45 ACP, .38 Super, 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Steyr (for overseas sales). The Government Model has a 5” barrel with checkered walnut grips adorned with the Colt medallion. They were produced in Blue and Nickel finishes. Series 70 models were manufactured from 1970 until 1983. They were serialized with “SM” prefixes (approximately 3,000), “70G” prefixes from 1970 through 1976, “70L” and “70S” prefixes, “G70” suffixes between 1976 and 1980, “B70” suffixes between 1979 and 1981, and “70B” prefixes between 1981 and 1983.

Anyone know more about this in depth ??

nitehawk55

[canuck]

Well, I can't help you much John but there are some very knowledgable people on the site and I'm sure someone will chime in with some info for you.
Best... Darron. (Expecting my Enfield any day now!!)

[nitehawk55]

HELP......anyone ???

[Ariz Commander]

This might be cheating, but when I wanted the year of manufacture on my Commanders I called Colt. A very helpful lady in their customer service department was able to find the dates using the serial numbers while I waited. There was no charge and she seemed genuinely happy to help, their number is 1-800-962-COLT.

[wichaka]

The SM prefix is from a Colt Service Model Ace .22 that was re-Introduced in November of 1977. SM stands for Service Model.

The first 1,500 or so were marked starting with 50001G70-51500G70, as the SM stamp was not yet made until mid-January of 1978

From the number you give, it was made late 1982 as production of them shut down around then.

SM numbers run from SM14001-SM43830

Please post a pic, would like to see it.