I am looking at a 38 M&P postwar "pre 10", serial number S814298. It has a S stamped on the side plate above the rear screw. I was wondering what was the significance of the marking. Sorry, no pictures available.
Thanks,

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

Jeff,

Thanks for the information.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

Gary, to keep you out of hot water for not having a picture yet of S814298, here is S814513 to serve as a placeholder.



Russ

As usual, Im confused. I see no "S" stamped on the side plate.
Can you post a pic with grips off? Thanks

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I guess if I'm going to provide a "place-holder" it better be complete . . . detail picture provided as requested




Russ

Well, S814298 almost certainly shipped in March, 1946, several months after wartime production stopped (the highest serial number gun that went to the Navy was SV802722, and it shipped on August 13, 1945). The modified hammer safety block went into production in December, 1944, and guns with that device started shipping in January, 1945. I've always found it odd that they continued to put the S stamp on the sideplate for so long after the change was incorporated into production and the S was added to the serial number. Eventually the V was phased out of the prefix, but the S remained until the C prefix took over in March, 1948. All M&P revolvers with the S prefix serial numbers had the sliding hammer block safety.
So, to sum up, Jeff is correct as to the meaning of that S mark, but it seems to me to be redundant and unnecessary on so late a frame. Just my thoughts on the matter.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

What is the barrel length on this little gem?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Russ,

Thanks for the help with the picture.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

Could the S have been stamped on the sideplate to help in assembly?

Was the internal groove cut differently on sideplates for guns that did not have the hammer block safety?

That has always been my theory. There is indeed different internal machining on the reverse side of sideplates of revolvers having the 1945 improved hammer drop safety, and the S stamp was just a way to distinguish them from the earlier sideplates. It would be superfluous at a later date.

Jack,

The barrel is 5" in length.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

Yes. Thanks. I found it on GB. The box advertised with it is not original to the gun. It was shipped with a 6" revolver.

I believe DWalt is correct about the S on the sideplate. There is a difference in the machine work on the inside of the sideplate, so marking the S on them would help keep them separate while both types were still in inventory. Eventually, this would no longer be an issue. Nice catch, jrd1976.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My S819XXX from 1946 does not have the S above the screw.

There would have been no need for it then, as any old non-safety sideplates in inventory would probably have been used up by then.