Hi,
I'm getting ready to sell off most of my C&R stock (none in the collector category, all just plain jane shooters I picked) and can't come up with a definitive answer on the serial number.

I have this 6" pencil barrel 1905, 4th change. The butt has the serial number on the far right and an "S" to the left as shown in the picture. The frame has a small "3" and larger "2" in the crane window as shown in the picture.

The cylinder and crane are numbered identically to the gun serial number less the "S".

The last patent date on top of the barrel is Dec 28. 14. At least that's what it looks like.

The gun has a lot of pits and wear and I think somewhere along the road a professional re-bluing since the extent of the pits aren't too obvious without a studied look.

I don't think the grips are original. There is no color case hardening on the hammer or trigger.

Can anyone tell me whether the "S" is actually part of the serial number or something added later? If the "S" is in fact part of the serial number, then this would be a 1947 gun? If not, a "transitional" war gun?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

Attached Images

	1905 6 1.jpg (55.8 KB, 76 views)
	1905 6 2.jpg (68.2 KB, 69 views)

The S is a part of the serial number

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Hello Chris, you have a shooter/house gun. I would say $250.
Just my 2 cents. Best.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

As said above, the S is a prefix and part of the serial. The gap on the S series is very pronounced, I suspect it harkens back to the fact that during the V and VS period just before there was the lanyard loop hole in the middle. I can't find or see the picture you mention; but the year could be 1946 to 1948 depending on the actual number.

Oops! I forgot to add the pictures. What a dope!

But, wow, fast and good answers even without the pics. Thanks everyone. You guys are a great resource to the forum.

Chris

The butt photo is a bit blurry, but if that starts with 847, it's late 1946. I have an 844 that shipped in October. The only other option, 947, would put it in very late 1947. Maybe JP@AK sees this thread, he can narrow it down; he is our resident expert on the S prefix series.

S847? Shipped ca. 11/46
S947? Shipped ca. 10/47 (from the knurled extractor rod tip, this is probably it)
Given that if you want a more precise shipping date, you'd need a letter.

It's a post-WWII M&P. Some might call it a transitional but I wouldn't. The S simply means it has the improved hammer drop safety first incorporated in production in early 1945 in the SV series Victories.

Thank you both for the added information. The serial number is indeed S92432X so 1947 jibs with 3rd edition of the S&W book. I can't thank you enough for the help and information.

Chris

SN S92432X would make shipment in 8/47 likely.

DWalt,

Thanks!

Chris