My daughter was helping me clean and oil my guns and she saw something I have never seen on one of my S&W revolvers.

It is a 4 inch M&P Sn 59453. On the left factory grip just below the little diamond between the checkering is the following:

11 Jan 29

It is script and very very small. You barely can see it with the naked eye. The grips as 90% or better and came on the revolver. It took a magnifying glass to read it.

This is not a stamp but engraved. Outstanding job. Sorry right know I cannot get it to show up on photographs but I will keep trying.


Anybody have any ideas?

Dwight

Neat!

To me it's 11th day, January, nineteen and twenty nine.
To some it's 29th day, January, nineteen and eleven.



Look forward to a picture.

If your daughter saw the engraving and you need a magnifying glass maybe your eyes are getting old. Man it must be small to be put in that area. That's neat anyway to have an actual date there.

__________________
James
On the Llano Estacado

Dwight, Might be put on by an armorer for the Police Dept. I'm guessing that's 11 January, 1929 ? Is that possible ? I looked my collection - mostly from the 60's and 70's and find no such inscribe. Probably not factory. What's the history of the revolver ?

__________________
'I know nothing'.. Sgt. Shultz

If that SN is correct the revolver would be from about 1906 if a .38 Special and about 1913 if it's a .32-20. In either event, far earlier than the engraved grip date. Is there a number penciled on or stamped into the rear of the right grip panel? I don't remember seeing anything like that.

You'll need a camera with a macro lens to photograph it.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

You are correct. Not only are my eyes are getting old the rest of me is following close behind. .

If you look at at new penny's date this date is about 1/3 rd that size

It is a 38 special. Nothing else on the grips or on the inside of the grips.

I don't know the history yet but still checking. I would rule out a PD armorer. The reason is that is perfect in size and lettering and has a "script" look. It would take an engraver with a BIG MAGNIFYING GLASS to do the work.

???????

Just for the heck of it, what type of grips does it have? Is it round butt or square butt? Wood or black hard rubber? Medallion or no medallion?

It is another super rare Factory feature,Just like Nickel plated Hammers and Triggers!......Case closed.

Round butt - black hard rubber with S&W logo

You can tell Snow White that we have located GRUMPY -

Case reopened !

OK, it would have been called a Model of 1902 Military Revolver back then, and black hard rubber grips were very common on those at that time. The square butt version of essentially the same revolver would have been the Model of 1905 Military Revolver, and they usually had checkered wooden grips without medallions. That doesn't answer your question about the date engraving, but at least you know what you have. In very good condition it would be desirable to collectors. Does it by any chance have an adjustable rear sight or just a notch? Nickel plated or blued?

I believe this is what X Ring Ranch is looking at. It is the patent information that appears on early hand ejector rubber stocks. Someone more knowledgable can provide info on when and what models.

Bob

I believe you are right !

The script and letters are correct

The grips are worn in that area and all I can read is what I posted.

Thanks for clearing this up


Dwight

Thanks for the information.

It is blued with FACTORY nickel plated hammer and trigger

No-- not really !

It is blue with a notch rear sight. The hammer and trigger are case hardened.

Thanks again for the information

Dwight