Well they don't always have to be pretty. This old gun has been put through the ringer but the timing is perfect and the lock-up is great. I don't know how it was carried but there certainly is some wear. The odd coloration looks to me to have been exposed to a lot of direct sunlight. It amazes me that it shoots so well after its rough life. No frame crack, just a solid old K frame and one you don't have to worry about getting it scratched up. That's already happened. I bought it a few weeks ago and forgot it was down in the basement until today.

Attached Images

	Pre-12 beater 001.jpg (215.8 KB, 162 views)
	Pre-12 beater 002.jpg (201.0 KB, 156 views)

Looks great, I have a 4-screw, 4" version and I really like it, looks a hair better than yours... maybe.

Been packin one now for about 5-6 years.
Neat belly guns.

Your revolver might have been carried in an old Buchemir cross draw holster. The safety strap snap would have caused that mark on the right side frame.

I was wondering how that wear occurred and you can't see the top strap (until now). There is some pretty harsh wear there, as seen in this photo. I carried it some this afternoon loaded with Hornady XTP (non +P). It's incredible how a gun that looks this worn out shoots so well.

Attached Images

pre-12 top strap 001.jpg (63.8 KB, 55 views)

Doesn't take much holster time for a Model 12 to look a little scruffy.

I'd love to find one like that - priced to reflect condition of course. No worries about putting a scratch or ding on it, just shoot it and enjoy it. Nothing wrong with that, for sure!

That's what this one is all about!

Interesting that it has a second style flat latch and "High Speed" hammer on a 4 screw frame, must be a transitional late 56 early 1957 ?

I have a 4 screw Model 12 (no dash) 3rd style flat latch with newer hammer spur in the C-4755xx range.

Serial number on this 4 screw is C 317293. I'm thinking 1956, but that is just a wild guess. It's going back to the range today so I can get a little more familiar with it.

Well I'm glad I made that call. They are closed

Model 12's are unique in several areas,
While Airweight and steel J frames share stocks hammers and triggers the Model 12 has a narrower frame, hammer and trigger than the Model 10.

Most are aware that the early Airweight M&P's had an aluminum cylinder but did you know the Model 12 cylinder is longer than a Model 10 cylinder ?
(IIRC it is about the same length as a Model 19-5 cylinder),

Retired W4's 1956 gun is a good example of another interesting point that even in an era when half penny FS carbon steel M&P snubs were being made the Airweight M&P's are seen with a serrated ramp FS (anyone have or ever seen a half penny FS Airweight M&P ?)

RB and SB frames in both 2" and 4" versions are the norm and the blue/black seems to outnumber nickel guns but a SS version was never offered.
(Might make an interesting project for a finish challenged Model 12.)