Please help identify

[Jwar73]

Hello, I have recently inherited a smith and Wesson revolver that my great grandfather carried when on duty (I believe he was a security guard) anyway the serial number is 593xxx. I do not see a model number anywhere on the pistol. I see 5 screws on it, one is in front of the trigger guard, one is on the handle, about where my pinky covers is up when I'm holding it, and three more on the right side of the pistol. The only numbers I see on the yoke are the matching numbers to keep the cylinder with the frame when manufacturing it. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[JP@AK]

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

The serial number on your gun points to the second half of the 1920s. I suspect the extractor rod knob on yours is barrel shaped rather than mushroom shaped. That change came in c. 1927. So there is a data point for you.

Your revolver does have five frame screws, but not quite as you described. The one on the front strap of the grip frame (your "pinky" screw) doesn't count. It is a tension screw for the mainspring and isn't technically a frame screw. The fifth screw is the one hiding under the top of the right hand stock panel. That one makes four in the sideplate and the one in the front of the trigger guard runs the count to five.

Your revolver does not have a model number because no such thing existed before the war. Model numbers were added to model names by decision of management in 1957. So far as we can determine, no model numbered guns were for sale at retail until sometime in 1958, many years after your gun left the factory.

[JP@AK]

Also, the fact that the rear sideplate screw is hidden on your gun tells us that it isn't wearing its original stocks. Walnut stocks for the .38 Military & Police model did not come up that high on the frame until after 1935 when the Magna stocks were first introduced. If you post a picture, we can tell you what era your stocks are from.

[Jwar73]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the info!

[Jwar73]

[JP@AK]

Pictures nearly always clear lots of things up.

In this case:
1. The extractor rod knob is as I expected it to be, making this gun no earlier than mid-year 1927 and probably a year or two later.
2. The stocks are plastic from a much later period. They are not S&W stocks and appear to be those made by Franzite. If you take them off, you might find the name Franzite molded into the plastic on the inside.
3. The revolver has been completely refinished with nickel plate, and it was not done by the S&W Service Department.

[JP@AK]

Here is what the original stocks on your gun looked like.

Also note this gun is still carrying its original Carbonia blue finish. The hammer and trigger are not finished and originally showed colors from case hardening (now mostly worn off). Yours would have looked like that (case colored) when the gun left the factory.


Also this revolver is a couple years older than yours and has the older mushroom shaped extractor rod knob that I mentioned earlier.

[Jwar73]

Thanks again for the info! This gun is now more of a family heirloom than anything else, so the fact that is has been altered really doesn't bother me at all. One last question though, since the grips are not original and I really don't care for them, is there anyone that is making grips that will fit this gun anymore?

[tmichael]

I have a nice set of original factory stocks for your gun. Send me your email if interested and I will send photos... Tim. [email protected]

[murphydog]

If you right click on the little icons in post #5 and "open image in new tab", a photo of a .38 M & P magically appears .

Good information above. I would guess the barrel (muzzle to cylinder face) measures about 3 1/2"; this, the location of the stamping on the right barrel and the appearance of the front sight blade all suggest the barrel was shortened and a new blade fitted, or the old one reattached.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by murphydog

.....
Good information above. I would guess the barrel (muzzle to cylinder face) measures about 3 1/2"; this, the location of the stamping on the right barrel and the appearance of the front sight blade all suggest the barrel was shortened and a new blade fitted, or the old one reattached.

Given how far forward the inscription starts, I suspect this gun left the factory with a 6" barrel.

[Targets Guy]

Nice looking revolver .

[DWalt]

The closest M&P SN on my list is 5944xx shipping in 3/29.