Early Post-War M&P

[Jst1mr]

I recently tried to become familiar with the use of the term "transitional". Instead, I gave up on it. Anyway, I recently came across this well-used but not abused M&P...a fair amount of finish is worn, but it runs like a clock. I was hoping someone could put a finer point on the date...it appears to have a factory plugged lanyard hole, long action, and all parts, including the grips, number to the gun20170214_234626.jpg

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[Absalom]

Originally Posted by Jst1mr

I recently tried to become familiar with the use of the term "transitional". Instead, I gave up on it. .....

Good for you! We don't like that term much in conjunction with M&P's ....

Nice find, though. You have a VERY early post-war M&P that likely shipped in early 1946. As soon as our specialist on these, JP@AK, sees this thread, he will give you more details.

[JP@AK]

Hi
Shipping is just about guaranteed to have been in March, 1946. I show a bunch in that serial range that shipped during that month. Those include one with a serial number just 129 digits lower (I actually own that one) and one 59 digits higher. Also, the supply of the prewar style Magna stocks seems to have been exhausted during that month.

Also, the 5" barrel was by far the most common during this serial range, with only a very few 6" barrels showing up in the S814xxx numbers.

That is a decent example of the type and appears to be an intact original. Nice find.

[BibleronKJV]

JP@AK will undoubtedly be along shortly to provide details for you. The gun is a "transitional" M&P from about 1946-47 and has the highly desireable prewar style magna grips. Looks like a very nice example. Congratulations on an iconic S&W. Ron

[BibleronKJV]

Jack beat me by two minutes.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by BibleronKJV

Jack beat me by two minutes.

But I got in one minute before him!

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by Absalom

But I got in one minute before him!

Yes. While I was typing!
I'm old.

[Jst1mr]

Thanks guys - appreciate all the info. It is really exceptional to be able to narrow a shipping date down that precisely.

I did not show it in the pictures, but the box it came in was also included, which has the serial# barely legible on the back...box is in very nice condition as well.

[DWalt]

The S-series M&Ps are a little different than other M&Ps, in that they began at around the S811xxx SN range in 1946. Their SNs did not begin with S1. The S-series started right after the WWII Victory models stopped their production run, i.e., the V-series and the SV-series, the S prefix indicating the incorporation of the improved hammer drop safety in very early 1945, The prewar Magna grips, as your M&P has, are unusual and desirable.

[Targets Guy]

Intrigued by the discussion of the OP grips.

upload pics

These grips are on a "C" prefix 1948ish Post War. They appear the same. Yes/No?

[DWalt]

No. There are differences in the checkering border. Yours are not even 1940s grips, probably mid-1950s at oldest.

[wheelgun610]

Originally Posted by Targets Guy

.... These grips are on a "C" prefix 1948ish Post War. They appear the same. Yes/No?

Yours are known as "modified magnas". They're sorta rounded at the bottom edge where 'regular' magnas are more square.

The major difference in the pre-WWII magnas is the border around the checkering as well as the lines per inch count being finer on pre-war grips.

Mark

[KEN L]

Originally Posted by Jst1mr

I recently tried to become familiar with the use of the term "transitional". Instead, I gave up on it. Anyway, I recently came across this well-used but not abused M&P...a fair amount of finish is worn, but it runs like a clock. I was hoping someone could put a finer point on the date...it appears to have a factory plugged lanyard hole, long action, and all parts, including the grips, number to the gunAttachment 270339

Attachment 270340

Attachment 270341

Attachment 270342

Attachment 270343

Your gun is from March 1946. Nice piece!

[imarangemaster]

Beautiful weapon!

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by Targets Guy

Intrigued by the discussion of the OP grips.
.......

These grips are on a "C" prefix 1948ish Post War. They appear the same. Yes/No?

Compare yours to the ones on this nice SV 767962, which might currently be found someplace that shall remain unnamed . The subtle differences should become clear. The picture is a bit better lit than the OP's.

[Targets Guy]

Thanks all. It looks to me like yours, Absalom, has a bigger smile under the medallion. I'll go with that.

[DWalt]

"Yours are known as "modified magnas"" AKA PC (plainclothes) grips. The rounded bottoms do not print through clothes so much and reduce wear on jacket linings.

[larryofcc]

Here is an early post war M&P for comparison. # S 987266, shipped 4-1948. Got this on this Forum from a member. A real nice guy too. It's a keeper. Big Larry