Colt Agent Revolver Serial Numbers

I am trying to ascertain the approximate date of manufacture of a Colt Agent (without paying the exorbitant price for a factory letter) by referring to the information available at The serial number--on both the frame and the cylinder crane of the Agent in question--appears to be 'W3201X.' (Of course, I have substituted 'X' for the actual last number in the series.) The website indicates that Agents (et al.) made between 1954 and 1955 have serial numbers ranging between '26150LW' and '33900LW.' I am not sure what this means for the Agent I am trying to identify. First, the number on the gun I'm talking about includes no 'L'--just a 'W.'

Colt Agent. Wwe All Stars Wii Iso. 38 Special. Some D-Frame Colt revolvers had a bit of slop in the manufacturing and grips for one revolver often. Seecamp Custom Serial Numbers.

Second, the 'W' comes BEFORE the numerals NOT AFTER them, as listed on the 'proofhouse' webpage cited above. One theory I have is that the 'L' was struck too lightly to be visible to the naked eye (and also aided by a magnifying glass). The other theory is that the 'L' simply missed the frame upon being struck. Has anyone encountered a similar serial number phenomenon? And are there any other ways to identify the date of manufacture of the Agent I have described here other than by a factory letter?

Thanks for your help. The third edtion of the TBOCF shows the serial number series beginning with W20370 in 1983 and carrying to W45039 in 1984, so if you have the later shrouded barrel model, that would fit. The Agents were apparently shared numbers with other D-Frames during that period.

For what its worth, neither of my later model shrouded barrel Agents (one blued and one matte) have the LW suffix. It has the ejector rod shrouded by the underlug on the barrel. It is a very cool looking little gun. The matte finish is a bit trashed, but that just adds character.

The wood grips with goldish looking medallions look good; the left grip panel is much darker than the right, as if a right-hander carried it in a hip holster on his right side and darkened the left grip panel with sweat. I shot it fine for a little while, but then the wadcutters started shearing off at the sides. Sounds like it is getting out of time, right?

(I'm not an expert in diagnosing revolver problems.) Thanks for all your help.

My neighbor has a Colt Agent.38 special that she is interested in possibly selling to me. I have no clue what this revolver is worth.

I want to give her a fair price. Blued finish that I would say is probably in 85% condition(bit of holster wear). There is a little bit of rust, but not much. I believe it is a 1965 model as the serial number is 161XXXLW and according to proofhouse.com it fits in that serial number range. I believe the grips are original as well.