I just inherited my Grandmother's pearl handled revolver, and would like to know as much as possible about it. She was a Sheriff, and loved hunting.

It is a 38s c&w spc.ctg.
It is a hand ejector
Serial number C 32143
The barrel is a smidge under 2"
It has fixed sights
There is a strain screw
It has 5 screws.

Please let me know what else would be helpful. I will try to figure out how to post a photo or two.

Thanks!

Welcome to the S&W Forum.

How interesting is that to have a grandmother who was sheriff?

C 32143 should date to sometime between 1948-1951 and is most likely a ".38 Military & Police" and is also referred to as a pre-model 10. In 1957 this model was designated as the Model 10.

There is a lesser chance this is a ".38 Military & Police Airweight" and is also referred to as a pre-model 12 (designated model 12 in 1957). The frame is aluminum and will not attract a magnet.

Other members will chime in with more information.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

With that serial number, it most likely shipped in the later part of 1948, the first year of the C-prefix serial numbers, although 1949 is possible.

Especially in good condition, 2"-barreled versions from that time frame command quite a premium over more common longer-barreled versions and are desirable collector items, although with your family connection you'll want to hang on to it. Given the circumstances, I'd go for a history letter. The pearl handles could be, but are unlikely to be original. Pictures will be helpful.

The closest SN I have listed to yours is C339xx which shipped from the factory in 12/48. As noted, S&W made no effort to ship in SN order, so yours could have been shipped a little earlier or a little later. But for sure, it was manufactured in 1948. There was a change in the mechanism made very high into the S-series (S-prefix SN) which extended throughout the C-series, usually called the "short action" with high-speed hammer. Collectors would call your snubby a "pre-Model 10" Military and Police model (M&P), meaning that it was later designated (starting in 1958) as the S&W Model 10. While earlier S-series M&Ps have more collector interest, any original snubby from the post-WWII period is a very worthwhile possession. There were a relatively small number of M&P snubbies made prior to WWII, and those have very high collector interest with prices to match. Mother of pearl grips would not be original, and you should be careful with them, as they can be easily damaged - made more for show than use.

Welcome to the forum.

What an awesome heirloom and priceless provenance for an inherited gun! And I hope you've written everything that you know about the gun's provenance and your grandmother for future generations.

The pearl grips could possibly be original factory grips and can be confirmed by looking at the back side of the right side grip for a penciled serial # that matches the C32143 # of the gun. Caution to not over tighten the grip screw because of the potential to crack the grips. They are not extremely fragile in normal use but will crack if dropped or over tightened.

Please try to post a photo for us to see!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

This is the round butt version of your gun with the walnut grips that came with it from the factory. This M&P shipped on July 13, 1949, the day before I was born.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Nice picture, Wiregrass!
I just picked up a 2" RB M&P like yours, SN C681XX. The grips on mine appear to be the prewar non Magna type with a ledge three-fourths of the way to the top of the grip.

Welcome aboard, dancingsams,

What a great heirloom you've got.

As a history nut all sorts of things ran through my mind as I read your post. Do you have newspaper clippings of your grandmother being interviewed about cases she worked as Sheriff, or perhaps a feature article about her in that role? Many county libraries have old newspapers, and oftentimes you can access articles though a search system.

I heartily agree that a letter from S&W stating when and where the factory shipped the gun would be a wonderful addition to your family heirloom (the letter would also specify the type stocks on the gun when it was shipped).

If you can't figure out how to post photos send me a pm and I'll give you an email address -- you could send the photos to me and I'll post them for you. I know we'd all love to see your treasure.

Cheers,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Was she a Deputy Sheriff or an elected Sheriff? If she was the Sheriff, that would be very unusual for that time. Very Cool no matter what!

Mimi was the Sheriff. She was definitely unusual, and truly loved by everyone that knew her!

Have you checked the right grip for the serial #?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

That's a family heirloom to be proud of, as well as her history! Please post a pic of her in uniform and of the gun if you can. Would really like to see such an interesting lady and her S&W!!

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PTLAPTA!