I've been on the look out for a Prewar M&P Snub or an Early Post war M&P snub with the long action. I finally found one. This one has been carried some but appears to have been shot very little, with hardly a turn line. After it arrived I found a number under the topstrap above the cylinder that makes me think it was a police gun. It's engraved OF-4645 (Officer Badge #4645?). The grips show that it was carried some but those will soon be repaired. All matching numbers including grips. It came with an old Pachmyer grip and I figured I would leave it as is since its part of its history. Might possibly get it lettered hoping it can help narrow down a city department to start research if it's a police gun. Serial is S948226, anyone with a close ship date? Would love to see your post war long actions!

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Get off my lawn!

Serial is S948226 = 1947

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There's nowt so queer as folk

Nice one! Congratulations on the score. Nearby serial numbers were shipping in November and December 1947. A January 1948 ship date is also a possibility, but it would take a letter to nail it down.

The electropencil engraving could be somebody's initials and the last four digits of his Social Security number. Unless someone knows a particular agency that marked their handguns in this manner, it may be hard to nail down a connection.

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David Wilson

That's a nice revolver. The Pachmayr grip adapter is a nice touch also, must have belonged to a savvy shooter.

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Tim
SWCA #2697

The marking under the topstrap is probably an evidence marking. Can't see it very well, but it was likely scratched with the point of a knife. It could represent a case number, but more likely the badge or serial number of the officer booking the gun into evidence. At least he marked the gun in an unobtrusive location instead of on the side of the frame, sideplate or backstrap as is too often the case!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

That is a pretty gun.

Nice one, Jeff!
I'm showing a group of 2" examples clustered around that serial number. Most of them seem to have shipped in October, 1947. Of course, there is always the exception.

For what it's worth, I see another group of 2" revolvers forming in the S935xxx - S938xxx range. Those were shipping in September, 1947. Seems like there was a demand for square butt 2" guns around this time and they were shipping out pretty rapidly.

I think I got everything I need for the database from your pics. Good job!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Jeff I like it.

My S970648 is a January, 1948, gun. Also has the one line address. Pearls is how I got it.

Attached Images

100_9976.jpg (178.2 KB, 145 views)

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Jeff, very nice! I too have been looking for a pre-war M&P. They are hard to find. Even one like yours with the long action and post war grips are hard to find. If you ever have a bad tax year, let me know!

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Hi Randy
You reported this gun to me previously and it is in the database. However, I recorded it as S970684. Do I have the last two digits backwards or did you post them backwards here?
Thanks.

And yes, I show another group of 2" square butt guns in the S970xxx range. They were shipping in January & February, 1948.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

S948226:
I have a 2" M&P on my list having SN S9483xx which shipped in mid-October 1947. Agree the marking is probably an evidence ID.