Got this old M&P/Pre model 10 at an estate sale for a great price. The ser # is 315XXX. the barrel & cylinder are also marked with the ser. #. There is also a "C" next to it and another different # on the backstrap. It is a four screw model (I think) Was told it belonged to a retired LEO The nickel is pretty nice with only a few blems. Any idea of the age and can anyone tell me more about it. It's tight and the timing is great. can't wait to shoot it!

Thanks in advance, model17

Your serial number dates to 1954-56 and if there is a screw in front of the trigger gaurd it is a five screw. One screw is under the grips. Speaking of grips, get some nice wood S&W grips and it will look better. Just my opinion, you didn't ask but there it is.

Model17 - nice M&P

The screw at the top of the sideplate makes it a 5 screw

thanks, guys. yes I took the grip off and saw the other screw(one in front of the trigger guard, too) & yes some wood grips are in order for this classic. Can't believe what I got it for either (and I paid them their asking price!!)

oh yeah, do you think the nickel is original? Thanks guys!

it's original if it has an "N" stamped on the grip frame under the grips and maybe on the face of the cylinder too.
This is my wife's M&P that is close serial number to yours C323xxx - it's a factory nickel.

Hi, the answer is "probably". If the N stamps are there per the previous post, the lettering is all sharp, and there is no pitting or scratches under the nickel, it's probably factory. Also, your gun still has the case coloring on the hammer and trigger - many nickel refinishes also were done on these parts and is a giveaway of a redo.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Just for the record, the serial number is C315XXX. The C is part of the
serial number.

Later, Mike Priwer

thank you to all you experts!! (I love this forum) Now to take this baby to the range and try her out!!!

Nickel revolvers were popular in the South. I have a nickel 27 used by the FHP and they used other nickel plated guns, too. Could well be a retired cop gun.

model 17,

If I understood you correctly that there is another serial number on the butt, that one is the correct serial number for the gun (the frame number is the legal one & the one you need to record). If there is a different number on the cylinder and barrel, those have been replaced.

Bob

no all the numbers match (barrel, cylinder, frame) there's another number on the lower left of the backstrap. Was supposed to be a retired LEO revolver, so maybe it was put there by his dept.??

Sorry. I misunderstood your original post.

Bob

no problem, Bob

Nice find! I'm still looking to add a nickel 5 screw M&P to my collection.

every collection needs one! a true classic S&W for sure

That nickle S+W rocks.You need some nice wood grips on it to make it complete.....Mike

yeah I'm lookin' for some wood in the near future!!

Nice gun. Those fishhook hammers are my favorites. Now just get rid of those godawful goodyear tire grips and get some S&W wood on that thing. Then shoot some more pictures for us!

Many police departments put inventory or similar numbers on department revolvers. The backstrap was a popular place to put them.

yes I agree the rubber's gotta' go ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!