Hello... First post so I am sure I will use some incorrect nomenclature so please bear with me. Bought a S&W M&P revolver and interested in finding out how old it is. .38 Special. 5 screw. Blued. 6 inch with fixed sights. Serial # S 908973. Case hardened hammer & trigger. Trigger is grooved. Original grips are gone. Had some Pachmayr grippers on it that just didn't look right. Bought some NOS aftermarket checkered grips that look more appropriate... at least to me. Would like to know any info on when it was manufactured. Thanks in advance. Took pics, so I hope they load o.k.

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Sorry... Serial number is S 908973. Corrected it in my original post as well.

Most likely ship date is Jun/Jul 1947.

Welcome aboard, idahopostman. Your nomenclature was just fine. You even spelled Pachmayr right, a rarity!

Stick around, you'll like it here.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I have a fondness for the S series, own a few 4", I have a 6" S8389xx, it still has the LERK (Large Ejector Rod Knob). Looks like you barrel has the relief for the large knob.

That's what's cool about these, a mix of pre an post war parts.

These are the correct stocks for that period.

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SWCA #2817

Interesting grips. What are they?

Unknown. Aftermarket grips of some sort. Not marked in any way. Probably never know who made them. Came from a lot of items out of a sporting goods store that went out of business in the '90's from what I was told. I know they are not original, but I like the full checkering and they look like they had never been used.

Welcome to the forum. Very nice revolver.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

No problem. You actually did pretty well, especially by not calling it a "pre-model 10."

Welcome to the Forum!

Your 6" postwar M&P most likely left the factory in June, 1947, but keep in mind that no one can tell you that with any certainty without searching the records which are in the possession of Mr. Jinks. I can give you a close estimate based on my extensive database on these revolvers, but even then there is a surprise from time to time.

Jimmy (post #5) showed you what the correct stocks look like. Pay special attention to the shoulder - it has an acute angle, unlike the diamond Magna stocks with a softer shoulder that appeared in 1953.

Jimmy also called attention to an oddity on the barrel. Your revolver has the knurled extractor rod that had become common by the summer of '47. But the barrel appears to have been notched for the older rod with the knob. Does the barrel flat carry the same serial number as the one on the butt and on the rear face of the cylinder?

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I have two 4" M&Ps. One, with the LERK, is serial numbered S 855090. The other is S 971165. My N-frame Outdoorsman wears serial # S 71234. I am hoping for a 1947 gun.......I have SCSW, but would like opinions of folks with access to data that has been compiled over time.

Yes, serial # is the same on all locations. Tried to take some better photos of the ejector area.

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Cool, no relief, the knurled area is just more pronounced then on later rods. I think there's a thread around here that discusses that.

The angle & lighting of the first pic gave the impression of a notch, some times it's good to be mistaken !

Good looking gun !

Forgot my manners.

Welcome to the forum !

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SWCA #2817

Hi
Sorry. You missed it on both sides with the K frames.
S855090 probably left the factory in November, 1946.
S971165 would be from January or February, 1948.
I can't help with the .38/44 but there are others here who can.

I have a database containing nearly 700 examples of the S prefix K frames. I'd like to add your two revolvers to it, but I need more information for the data to be useful. I'll send you a PM.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

There is a post-war, but I may be mistaken, .38 M&P available locally here in NorCal. It has a six inch barrel, decent finish (noticeable scratch on barrel, though) with original grips, good lockup, timing, and rifling. S/N is S 8191**,with the last patent date on the barrel as Dec 29,14. Asking $499, figured I would seek info before heading into it. Thanks!

Welcome!

Over the years, several folks have posted pictures of converted Victory models that were wearing the same fully checkered grips.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Hi
S8191xx very likely left the factory in May or June, 1946. Those in this serial range that are in my database did.

Also, a gun in the S819xxx range would probably have the early postwar style Magna stocks (sharp shoulder variety) and they would be serialized on the inside of the right panel. I do show several 6" examples in this range, so clearly a block of 6" variants were on the assembly line at this point (they were much less common than 4" and 5" in 1946).

$500 out the door doesn't sound bad if your description of condition is accurate.

It would help me a ton if you would report the entire serial number. PM it to me if you like. Thanks.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Most of the postwar ODs shipped in 1946, but a very few seem to have 1947 ship dates. There is a slim chance yours is a 1947 gun, but I wouldn't bet big money on it. Sorry I can't give you better news.

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David Wilson

Regarding S71234, I list two nearby .38/44 ODMs both with SNs S714xx as shipping in 1/47. That doesn't mean much, as yours could have shipped in either 1946 or 1947 as N-frame SNs are not too consistent with shipping date. But it's pretty certain yours was manufactured in 1946.

Sent, thanks in advance.

Thanks, Ron.
I'd lean toward May on that one, but only a letter can tell you for sure.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318