I found this M&P this morning in my yard sale travels. Some finish loss but solid.

Serial (no prefix) 423852

If someone could let me know the date of manufacture I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

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423852 would place shipment at about late 1922- early 1923. That is verified by the MADE IN USA frame stamping. Prior to mid-1922, there was no frame stamping there. The grips are from the approximate mid-1950s-late 1960s period. Correct grips have no medallions and are round top, not Magna.

These are good shooters, but at that time, the sights were terrible, as you have probably discovered.

One of my favorite Smiths. That one looks pretty nice too.

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Dr. B

Thanks...I figured it had the wrong stocks because it was only about 15K off from a 5" M&P I found a couple of weeks back. This on is in better shape so I might switch them out.

I've several M&Ps and don't find the sights all that bad. Then again I carried one of about the same vintage for years.

The early M&P sights have a very tiny rear notch and a very thin front blade. Later in the 1920s, the notch and blade were widened, making for a much improved sight picture.

I have sn 384XXX shipped in late 1921 and the correct stocks should look like the attached photo. Those Magna stocks are from the mid to late 1950s. Your revolver is a 38 Military & Police, Fourth Change. As DWalt states, shipment occured in either 1922 or 1923, but a factory letter is the only way to know for sure. S&W revolvers are usually dated by their ship date and not their manufacture dates.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Before you switch out your other M&Ps stocks to this one check the back of the stocks for a serial number. Sometimes it is written in pencil and is hard to see. If they are numbered to your other gun please don't change them. We have so many guns now without their original stocks and if you change them to another gun they too will not have their original stocks.
It is easy to find the stocks you are looking for. Just put an add in the want to buy section on this forum or check flea bay.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

nice yard find. Did the flap come with it?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Un-numbered so it's all good.

That said....While I get where you are coming from they are my stocks, my guns, my decision.

If I want another set for the 5" Gun Parts Corp has them but due to exterior condition of the weapon I'm not all that bothered about buying a set for it. Some future owner can stress over it.

Very nice yard sale find. It's not uncommon to find old Smiths with newer stocks as the originals were somewhat small and a poor fit for many shooters. Most will say that having the original stocks will increase the value of a piece, but I've found that it's more like not having them will bet a reason to whittle down the asking price. There is a difference, however obtuse .

I traded off a 5" M&P last year that was very close to that serial number. The matching serial number was very, very faintly written on the inside panel of the stock. It really took some squinting under the right lighting to see it. Since the number on many of these older guns is hand written with a lead pencil, I've always thought that it would be too easy for an unscrupulous seller to forge a "correct" serial number on a set of period correct replacement stocks. From what I've seen at many gun shows, I don't doubt that it happens, but not by me.

Don't see very many guns at yard sales around here. I'm a little envious of your luck!

John

I was just trying to help you from making a mistake. But sometimes you have to let someone dive into the shallow end!!!

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

You are posting in a Vintage collector gun section of the the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association website. You asked for opinions and fellow collectors will go a mile to help answer your questions and suggestions are common on how to get your revolver back to original configuration which is where the value is. It's just what we do. If you did not want suggestions and comments, why post in the first place???

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I asked for a date of manufacture and that question was answered quickly and was much appreciated as always.

If the view is worth the climb I'll usually return a C&R to it's original configuration.

The 4" is now in original configuration with the proper stocks while the lesser 5" now wears the Magna stocks.

I just don't figure it's worth $50.00+ to put the proper stocks on the 5" given it's exterior condition. Point of diminished returns and all that.

Comments waxing to sermons even though well intentioned (which I'm sure they were) of what to do with a C&R weapon I bought and paid for is always "a bridge too far" with me.

Let's just call it a failing on my part in this instance.

Sorry if I rustled your jimmies. That was not my intent.