I picked this up last weekend at the OGCA show. 1905 4th change U.S. marked on left side of gun. Grips number and it shows some holster ware serial number 882126. I'm going to get a letter for this one, I really hope it's correct. I bought it from a S&WCA member. Enjoy....

The letter came in the mail the other day. It reads

We have research your S&W .38 M&P model of 1905 fourth change, United States Defense Supply company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number 882126, was shipped from our factory on December 22, 1941 and delivered to Defense Supply Corporation, Washington DC. The records indicate that this firearm was shipped with a 4 inch barrel, blue finish, butt swivel, and checkered walnut grips.

thanks for looking...

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George Jamison

That's a great looking gun. The serial number makes it about 1941?

Complete approval from me!

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David Wilson

Nice looking gun. I've just started looking at these Hand Ejectors and I really like them.

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386NG, M&P R8, M&P40c, 460 XVR

Sweet !!!! My only worry would be that it looks like a blued version instead of Parkerized.

What did you have to pay for that beauty?

Good looking .38! I would have been very interested in that piece also and will look forward to what your letter says.

Jerry

From the location of the serial number on the butt it looks to have shipped with the lanyard ring, which is a "plus" value wise. Let us know how it letters.

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John

Was this for the Navy's civilian police corps or whatever that was called? An early purchase for the Coast Guard or an aircraft carrier then being equipped?

Does anyone know just when the Navy and Marine aviators began receiving .38's? As a boy, I looked through old issues of Natl. Geog. and read about the Battle of Midway. I think the photos showed only .45 autos on the aircrews. But I'm guessing that by summer, 1942, some .38's were reaching ships.

Colts with civilian markings on them as well as 1911A-1 markings are known, evidently a result of the govt. buying any .45 autos on hand there after Pearl Harbor. Same may have happened at S&W, resulting in some blued guns being shipped. The British orders didn't get gray finishes until April, 1942. Could be the same for US orders?

T-Star

I have a friend that has the exact same gun. It is marked U.S. in the same place. However his at sometime after it was used by the Feds, it found it's way to the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission. You have a fine .38 there!

VERY interesting gun.
Not USNCPC probably- they shipped earlier from the ones I have seen, and always have the marked backstrap.
It definitely shipped with the swivel.
I have never seen the US in that location. It looks like it was marked before bluing.
Keep us posted......

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

thanks everyone for your comments. lee i'll be sending out for a letter. maybe i'll have it before the ogca show in may...

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George Jamison

Congratulations on the new pistol, I am subscribed to this thread as I also have a 1905 4th change. Learning about them is great and I look forward to seeing your letter. Take care...Jeff

update received letter, all info is at the begining of post...

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George Jamison