Howdy boys...mulehide here. I have had this old S&W in my gun safe for years and haven't shown it much respect. It's really a nice one except for the blueing at about 50%.It looks like an M&P. It is 6" barrel, 38S&W SPECIAL, SMITH&WESSON on left side of barrel.and serial number..... C 145777. THats it. I would say it is a shooter. It's tight, and the timing is great. grips are original with same serial as gun. The books show it to be an M&P 1905 2nd. change. But what does the "C" deignate ???

I would call your gun a pre Model 10 as it's a 1950ish gun. "C" is just the first character in a serial number series and I don't recall any real meaning to it. Maybe somebody else can add more info.

Bob

bk43.......Thanks for the input, but how can it be a pre model 10 with that low serial number???

The "C" is a part of the serial number, and that is why it is not low.

Pre-WW2 serial numbers run from 1 to 999,999 for .38's. Then they
run from V1 to about V820xxx during WW2. From the end of WW2 until about
1947ish, they ran out the rest of the V series, but in place of the
V was a S. The guns go from roughly S820xxx to S999,999 . All of this includes
targets and M&P's, all mixed together.

Then the structure of the serial numbers changes. The M&P's are
separated from the targets. M&P's run from C1 to C999,999 for the next
few years, and targets run from K101 to K999,999 .

So, your gun is in that first batch of redesigned M&P's, making it
about 1950, plus or minus a year.

Later, Mike Priwer

"WOW".. I guess you told me exactly what I need to know. What an awesome forum with knowledgable members.This is just what new S&W collectors need. Thanks MIKE, I appreciate your input.

Mule,
With a C serial number, it's most likely a short throw action, which is a dead giveaway that it cannot be a pre-WW2 gun.
Chris