Just picked this up today at my LGS FFL. S prefix prob shipped in the first quarter of 1948. Stocks matched to revolver and all serial numbers (that I know the location of) match; grip butt, back of cylinder, bottom of barrel, and yoke.

Revolver locks up very tight and with snap caps the trigger pull is very smooth. Should be a good shooter.

Stocks were a little dry and have a couple of chips but okay. One of the cylinder flutes has some abrasions on it prob from a drop or a slide.




Five screws, one liner, diamond magnas.

Nice! Case colors on the trigger and hammer are still bright.

Question: in your PM you said the cylinder release was the beveled type. If so, that is startling, since it would be, by far, the latest example I've found with this style of latch. Based on my data, that style was pretty much gone by the S860xxx range. There are a few odd exceptions but nothing even close to this late, until now(?).

Could you post a picture looking down from the top on the latch? Thanks!

Edited to fix a careless typo. The matter is addressed in subsequent posts. Sorry guys!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I misspoke then. It is beveled top and bottom - not flat. Sorry for any confusion.

Oh man! I'm the one causing confusion . . .

Here is what I should have written:

in your PM you said the cylinder release was the beveled type. If so, that is startling, since it would be, by far, the latest example I've found with this style of latch. Based on my data, that style was pretty much gone by the S860xxx range. There are a few odd exceptions but nothing even close to this late, until now(?).

It is highly unusual for one this late to have the beveled (flared) thumb piece. I guess I sent you pics and the gun is in front of you, so you should know. But it is very surprising.

Any chance you can post a photo?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Hello Mike, nice lookin old M&P. How good are you in to it for. Unusual with the correct grips. How about a Sn. for us data freaks.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I think I am the one confusing you but here are the photos.

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Mike, I don't think 4" barrels are legal in IA. better send that one on down to me for safe keeping and a full evaluation. lee

$550; s/n S976836

Mike

Here is a better shot of the stocks.

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Yes. That one is flat, which is what we would expect at this serial number.

Here is a picture of the flared type (what I've been calling "beveled.") See how the pad hangs out over the base?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

This is flared? Right? To me it looks just like your last example.

Shoots nice.

No. It is flat. Look carefully at the top edge. On the flared type the checkered part is wider than the base, it "flares" out over the part that is closer to the frame. On yours, the base remains the same all the way out to the checkered face. I'm reposting my picture of the flared type so you can compare the two photos together.


And here is another view of the flat type:

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I think I get it. The "flared" has a rounded "ridge". My confusion was thinking the taper from the screw to the edge of the release tab being different from the "flat" cylinder release tab.

Finally!

Thanks.

Yes. We are only talking about the top and bottom edges being flat versus being "flared." The wedge shape front to rear isn't much different. There is also a slightly different profile when the release is looked at from the side, but it is extremely difficult to see, even in person. Forget trying to do it from photos.

Also, the whole matter is complicated by the fact that postwar I frames, J frames and airweight K frames had what is referred to as the "flat latch." There were three varieties of these, the third of which is shown in the photo below, on a Chiefs Special.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You paid a little too much, but those guns are just not showing up around here any more. Five years ago, you could have your pick for $150. These days, I'm just not seeing the early post-war ones like I used to.

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Dr. B

Yes but I could not let it go. Now if I run across another one in the 300's it will even out.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I don't think you paid too much at all. The condition is great, it still has the original stocks and the gold picture box. Even though S&W made a lot of them, nice, complete and original M&P's from that era are harder and harder to find every year. Blue-worn guns with no box and Pachmayr grips sell of $350 and more these days. Condition always commands a higher price.

I have purchased two 1950 "C" prefixes to go along with the 1948 "S" prefix. All are good shooters and they are becoming my favorite revolvers to shoot.

The "S"
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"C" #1
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"C" #2
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Mike
S&WCA #3065

The early post war long actions are smooth as silk. I have a 6" nickel K frame 38 that I enjoy shooting and just looking at it!! Gary