Just got this in a trade. Not a Victory because there is no V in the serial number. No letter prefix, at all. Serial is 609XXX and the same number is underneath the barrel. I cannot find any numbers on the grip panels.

UPDATE

I haven't sent off for a letter yet but I do plan to. By the looks of the forcing cone area and the face of the cylinder, it has hardly been fired. This is a nice piece and belongs with a collector.

UPDATE #2

After close examination with magnification, I have found the following under the grip panels. Can anyone tell me what all this means? I'm pretty sure the N means nickel finish.

Under Grip Left Side: Just over the grip locating pin (12 o'clock) is the letter V. Just to the right of the pin (3 o'clock) is the number 4.

Under Grip Right Side: Just over the grip locating pin (12 o'clock) appears to be a rectangular box. Just to the right of the pin (3 o'clock) is the letter N. Just below the pin (6 o'clock) are the numbers 81.

If there's no letter prefix, it looks like a nickeled pre-war 2" round butt .38 M&P wearing later period grips.
The sideplate fit looks pretty good, so it's probably wearing the original nickel finish.

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John

It's an uncommon gun, perhaps a few hundred made in blue and nickel, SB and RB in total. Some didn't ship until after WW II.

There are a few threads here:

2 inch, Pre-war M&P observation

Nice find!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

2" M&P's in that specific serial number range are documented as shipping in 1935 - in any case, it seems almost certain that fewer than a couple thousand went out the door prior to WWII, and maybe a lot fewer. Yours likely was originally fitted with hard rubber stocks, and a letter will verify that as well as whether it was originally nickeled or blued. It's a rare enough gun to merit a letter regardless, plus these guns were sometimes shipped directly to individuals and law enforcement agencies, so the letter may establish an interesting provenance, too.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

You hit the jackpot.
Get a letter.
Now.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Great find!
This is a nice little K frame revolver, even though the stocks are not correct. They look just fine on this little 2" gem.
Congrats!
And I agree - letter this one!
JP

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Nickel is not my thing, but that is a fine little honey. Congratulations!

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Go big or stay home

Thanks, guys. How do I go about getting a letter? I've never done this before. Any opinions as to what dollar amount it would bring?

Click here -> Factory Letter Request Form

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"I also cook."

I love it when somebody stumbles across a rarity like that. Congratulations on what will prove to be one of the best trades of your life.

If I recall correctly, the round butt nickels are the least seen variety of this uncommon prewar model. Assuming the nickel is the original finish and has not been refreshed, and depending on the condition established in a close inspection, that gun could bring over (and maybe well over) two thousand at auction. I doubt it would go for less than $1500 under any circumstances. If two deep pocket bidders chose to dispute future ownership of the piece, the price could go quite a bit higher.

I should add that the postwar two-inch M&Ps with the S prefix to the serial number are not as pricy because S&W made more of them. It is the prewar status of your gun that makes it so interesting and valuable to collectors.

Yes, a letter.

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David Wilson

Updated with some better pics.

Update #2 with markings under the grip panels.

Nice looking RB pre war.
Yea, letter it. Last one I did came back in 8 weeks just a few days ago with all the Holidays.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Nice pics! Thanks for adding them. That is one fine looking, scarce revolver.
JP

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318