i just picked up a 5" 1905 4th change in 38 Spl. it has the hole for the lanyard stud and pin is in place under grips. it has post war diamond magna grips, but not SN# match to gun. its in the 800 thousand SN range.
while i do think many of these had the lanyard hole, it also has 'engraved"
on the back strap U.S. and a 5 digit number. did any of you fellows ever hear or see this before. the military did buy the 1905 as in pre Victory model, but i never seen a engraved back strap with U.S. and some numbers behind it. its not a sloppy job, but it sure is not factory marking neat. its not a stamp or roll mark, its engraved in. am guessing a service man may have done this and may be that number is a GI serial number. any other ideas ,or if you heard of this done ,let me in on it. this is a 38spl . not a 38S&W 200 Brit. has NO "Made in USA" on right side frame.
thanks, Phil

Sounds interesting. Can you post some photos?

With the S/N in the 800000 range, that would be a mid-late 1945 revolver.

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David Wilson

The 800,000 range would be late 1940 to mid 1941 ( No "V" prefix, so it's a pre-Victory version). The backstrap marking is after market, as suggested, and could mean almost anything, but not likely a mark to denote Gov't ownership. A factory letter might give you a clue if the shipping destination is a factor. Ed #15

Also no S prefix, so definitely pre-WW2.

Later, Mike Priwer

Thanks guys. Ed, i was thinking the same aprox 1941 or so time frame myself, but i am no pro when it comes to pre and war time K frames.
SN# is 859765 no prefix letter or V. its the first hammer block safety type with tapper wedge built as part of the hand. can any of you guys tell me what are the correct looking grips for this gun. dished/concave at the top ( thumb area).
i have a more early 32-20 1905, 3rd change i think. has no hammer block.
are grips same as those are for the later 4th ? thanks, Phil

The right grips for a 1941 M&P would be the small silver medallion
grips.

Later, Mike Priwer

Mike, Ok, ill keep an eye out for a set. thanks for info, Phil

"The right grips for a 1941 M&P would be the small silver medallion
grips."

Mike, when did they go to the small medallion from the large?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Gil,
The large medallion was never standard on K frame grips. A few pairs with large medallions exist, but I can't give a good reason why. The ones I have seen are numbered after earlier pairs with small meds, so we CANNOT assume they started large and quickly became small.
Best guesses would be-
Mistake??
Out of small meds and production must go on???

Who knows at this point in time.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett