So the 44 2nd model hand ejector I started another thread about has a separate problem, and I decided to start a thread about it. The topic of this thread should be good info for many people here, since this issue is less known than many others with S&W.

I inquired about the gun last night, to verify it was all matching, the bore, etc before I lay down my money. And of course, there was a problem. The gun is nickel, but has the "B" prefix before the SN on the underneath of the barrel. I couldn't believe it. I would have bet money on it being right judging by the photos, but I spoke to the seller on the phone regardless to verify everything. The SN of this gun is approx
20XXX (over 20k but less than 25k).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that "B" prefix is only found on factory blued guns?

So I understandably had him check the grip frame for re-work stampings. He said the right side of the grip frame has a "B" while the left has a "33 N". These stampings don't ring a bell with me. Did blued guns have a "B" stamp on the frame as well?

I checked two of my original pre war nickel M&Ps SNs 437XXX and 253XXX and neither had any grip frame stampings and of course neither have the "B" prefix on the barrel serial number.

Now I know that later guns, like my 29-2 and 27-2 have a "N" stamp on the rear face of the cylinder and on the left side of the grip frame. When did that start?

So the gun itself is a nice looking 6.5 in nickel 44 special with lanyard. It has aftermarket grips, but they are stag and custom fit to the gun, per the seller. It also comes with a pair of post war N frame magnas. Is this gun anything more than a $500 shooter? If its a factory re-finish, which it may be (condering everything), is it worth $500 or so or should I pass on it? My collection lacks a pre-war N frame at this time so I want one but I also want to put my money in a good place.

All my early handejectors have stamps in the yoke area or somewhere around the grip frame indicating original finish. All my original finish guns match the stamp. I can not state with any degree of certainty if all HEs were stamped, but I would suspect that all those stamped indicate original finish.

I have a 455 N Frame that has a 38 stamp on the left side under the grips and a B on the right side. I always assumed the number was an inspector mark, but I do not know what the N would stand for in association with the number?

I am no expert.

My later (1950s and newer) nickel plated revolvers have an N stamped on the grip frame. I think my pre-war guns are devoid of any such markings (but I am working from memory, here). I have a 1926 44 Special that I knew was refinished in nickel and I assumed it was originally blue but the letter says it was shipped as a nickel revolver.

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This pix shows an N (or sideways Z) above-right of the grip stud on the Right side of the frame. This is the factory nickel Second Model I showed in a pic with the previous thread.
Only the serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel.

Sometimes S&W would get an order from a distributor for a certain model in nickel. If there were none in inventory, they would take a blued gun from inventory and nickel plate it to fill the order. The gun will letter as shipped in nickel, however it is a refinished gun, and will probably have the small "B" stamp on the barrel and other places. Ed.