|
|
01-18-2014, 04:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,593
Likes: 2,997
Liked 12,374 Times in 1,902 Posts
|
|
Post War Pre Model 10, 5 Screw, 2 Inch Barrel Value
Just got back from the local gun show. It was packed and difficult to see all that was there.
I saw quite a few older S&W's, but nothing caught my eye but the one below. It is a bit out of my comfort zone as I like N frames and 1970-80's K frames. I took a chance on this one because it was in very good condition, for its age.
I believe it to be a pre-model 10, M&P, five screw, serial C 164030 with a two inch barrel. SCS&W puts the gun in the late 1940's or perhaps 1950. There is a turn line and a couple of small scratches and there is a small imperfection on the left side of the sight as if the gun was dropped sometime in its life, I tried to photograph these imperfections as best I can. Over all the finish is excellent for a 65 year old gun. All numbers match except the grips, which I believe are period correct but number to about 1954 - 55. They are magnas and seem to have a higher shoulder than I am used to seeing. They have the rounded bottom edges and I believe some call them the "plain clothes magnas."
In the photos one can see that the barrel is a bit of a different color than the frame. The barrel numbers to the frame and there is no diamond or other indication on the barrel that it has been replaced. There is no star on the frame and no numbers or markings to indicate it has ever been back to the factory. The barrel has "Smith and Wesson" and "38 S&W Spc Ctg" on one side and no markings on the other. On the crane there are the usual internal factory/inspector markings; however, this one has an ampersand stamped on it. I have never seen such a mark on the crane before.
I believe it to be original, with no evidence of a refinish and no indication that the side plate has ever been off or any of the screws have been turned. It locks up like a bank vault and by general appearance looks to have been fired and carried very little in its lifetime.
The hammer and trigger have excellent case color remaining and appear as new.
As I said I am out of my comfort zone with older K frames in general and the M&P in particular. I am coming to the forum to get an education about this particular gun, i.e. condition, value, etc, general comments and impressions.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Bill
Last edited by WCCPHD; 01-18-2014 at 07:29 PM.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-18-2014, 07:28 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North West Minnesota
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 1,637
Liked 1,960 Times in 415 Posts
|
|
Numbers on the barrel match? Reading on I see they do. I would say in its condition 400.00
Last edited by lowhog; 01-18-2014 at 07:30 PM.
|
01-18-2014, 09:14 PM
|
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The kidney of Dixie.
Posts: 10,509
Likes: 49
Liked 13,410 Times in 3,290 Posts
|
|
C56xxx and C58xxx shipped in mid 1949 so I think C164xxx would not be in the 1940s.
__________________
No life story has happy end.
|
01-18-2014, 09:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,593
Likes: 2,997
Liked 12,374 Times in 1,902 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
C56xxx and C58xxx shipped in mid 1949 so I think C164xxx would not be in the 1940s.
|
Thanks, Just guessing based on SCSW as it only gives a range of 1948 to 1951. Should be before 1952 as it has the round sight.
|
01-18-2014, 09:45 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 899
Likes: 22
Liked 319 Times in 134 Posts
|
|
I have C240xxx which is from 1953 and it still has the round front sight but it is a 4 inch. I think they used up the round front sight barrels for a number of years and some 2 inch guns from the late 1950s still had the round sight. C164xxx probably dates to 1951 or so.
Hope this helps.
Steve
|
01-18-2014, 09:56 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,593
Likes: 2,997
Liked 12,374 Times in 1,902 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by scha
I have C240xxx which is from 1953 and it still has the round front sight but it is a 4 inch. I think they used up the round front sight barrels for a number of years and some 2 inch guns from the late 1950s still had the round sight. C164xxx probably dates to 1951 or so.
Hope this helps.
Steve
|
Thanks, I am still learning about older K's.
Bill
|
01-18-2014, 10:36 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 209
Likes: 22
Liked 8 Times in 5 Posts
|
|
C1639XX shipped in 1950 so yours is likely 1950 also. Nice looking gun.
|
01-19-2014, 01:40 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cedar City,Utah
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 5
Liked 3,007 Times in 837 Posts
|
|
I must be in the minority here. My C 169886, was shipped 6-1952 and has no XXX's. It is identical to yours and I paid $375 for it at the Reno gun show. Very accurate with +P's at 15 yards and it shoots to the point of aim. I have a CC permit and when I am not carrying my Sig P220 45, I carry this one. This Sig is my favorite hideout pistol. Big Larry
|
01-21-2014, 06:06 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,595
Likes: 239
Liked 29,105 Times in 14,073 Posts
|
|
C 164xxx probably shipped no earlier than early 1951 from observation of others with nearby SNs, and possibly somewhat later than that, as noted above for SN C 169886. I agree that the grips are not correct for that period.
Last edited by DWalt; 01-21-2014 at 06:11 PM.
|
01-21-2014, 07:13 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,593
Likes: 2,997
Liked 12,374 Times in 1,902 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
C 164xxx probably shipped no earlier than early 1951 from observation of others with nearby SNs, and possibly somewhat later than that, as noted above for SN C 169886. I agree that the grips are not correct for that period.
|
The grips number to about 1954 or 55. What type of grips would be correct for this gun? The grips on it are "PC Magnas."
Thanks in advance,
Bill
|
01-21-2014, 07:57 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 13,995
Likes: 5,005
Liked 7,699 Times in 2,623 Posts
|
|
The postwar two-inch M&Ps enjoy a value boost based on their scarcity and appeal. There are still geographical zones of pricing variation around the country, and I would place your gun in the $400-500 range depending. I don't doubt that here and there you might find one for $350+/-, or be forced to pay $525 or more for one you really wanted but whose owner would not dicker.
The radiused PC magnas were available from, I believe, 1952 or so. They are not necessarily wrong for the gun, though I suspect yours probably shipped with standard magnas a year or two before the PC magnas became available.
That's a really nice revolver. Congratulations on the score. Whether you bought it as an investment or as a shooter, I suspect its value will increase at a faster clip than for a four-inch or five-inch M&P of the same era.
A couple of years ago or maybe three I paid $430 for a long-action 1947 snubnose M&P in high-90s condition, which was kind of at the leading edge of pricing at the time. I wouldn't sell it for less than $500 today. The long term trend is up for postwar two-inch five-screw K-frames with either long or short actions. You have a good one.
__________________
David Wilson
|
01-21-2014, 08:09 PM
|
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The kidney of Dixie.
Posts: 10,509
Likes: 49
Liked 13,410 Times in 3,290 Posts
|
|
In the interest of accuracy it should be noted that the term PC Magnas was never used by S&W. The factory called them Modified Magnas.
__________________
No life story has happy end.
|
01-21-2014, 09:00 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,595
Likes: 239
Liked 29,105 Times in 14,073 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by WCCPHD
The grips number to about 1954 or 55. What type of grips would be correct for this gun? The grips on it are "PC Magnas."
Thanks in advance,
Bill
|
The earlier postwar diamond Magnas can generally be distinguished by a sharper edge on the curved area of the "horn" on top, almost a shelf. The later diamond Magnas are more rounded, as yours are. I don't know exactly when the "PC"-type rounding on the butt actually started, but I couldn't deny the previous 1952 date (or any later date) given.
|
01-21-2014, 09:56 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 2,593
Likes: 2,997
Liked 12,374 Times in 1,902 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
The earlier postwar diamond Magnas can generally be distinguished by a sharper edge on the curved area of the "horn" on top, almost a shelf. The later diamond Magnas are more rounded, as yours are. I don't know exactly when the "PC"-type rounding on the butt actually started, but I couldn't deny the previous 1952 date (or any later date) given.
|
Thanks,
I looked at a post war transitional gun today and it had grips exactly as you described on it. They were interesting and beautiful as was the gun which is about 98% and looks to have been fired very little, if at all since it left the factory about 1947. Unfortunately the owner is very attached to it.
Bill
|
01-22-2014, 09:52 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 856
Liked 4,401 Times in 1,082 Posts
|
|
Here is C 160161 and the grips number to the gun.
Stu
Last edited by stu1ritter; 01-22-2014 at 09:56 AM.
Reason: serial number
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
01-22-2014, 10:10 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Inman, SC USA
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 95
Liked 649 Times in 372 Posts
|
|
I have one, SN C303880, that looks just like the one above. I bought it for about $175 several years ago from a police distributor, and he said that he had a box full of them that he had taken in trade from a police department.
__________________
Tom
1560
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|