Another Identifying Thread!

[Ekaybe]

I hope I'm posting in the correct year range here. I'm basing that off the little bit of research I have done with the serial number.
It is a double action 38 special with external hammer. Serial number beginning with 439***. It appears to be nickel plated but I'm not 100% sure. Barrel length of 4 inches with fixed sights. Here are some pics! Hope my information and photos are sufficient.

[Ekaybe]

In addition to my initial post the serial number is listed at the bottom at the grips. I'm assuming the matching numbers on the yolk and cylinder are only batch numbers, those numbers being 73060.

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .38 Military & Police that dates to the mid 1920s. The "MADE IN U.S.A>" stamp appeared in mid 1922 and the mushroom headed ejector rod disappeared in the late 1920s. Look at the SN under the barrel. If it has a "B" stamped there, it shipped with a blue finish. There should also be "N" stamps on the frame if it shipped in nickel finish.

Those other numbers are assembly numbers.

[Ekaybe]

That's awesome to hear. I always assumed it was no older than the 70's. Despite having cosmetic flaws due to my dad not being a gun guy and letting it sit in the bottom of a toolbox in Florida's humidity for 20 years it shoots great! Doesn't seem it was shot much in its earlier days.


If anyone can offer any further information on this gun I'd love to hear it.

[JP@AK]

Based on the serial number, I would guess shipment happened in about 1924-25. Muley Gil's brackets are good: Made in U.S.A. added in mid-year 1922, mushroom extractor rod knob went away in about 1927. One in my collection at 5315xx left the factory in February, 1926.

The stocks on your M&P are later than the gun. That style started shipping in about 1953.

Also, I don't think N stamps were used that early. With a B on the barrel flat, it would have had a blue finish. If it got the nickel finish there were be no mark on the barrel flat ahead of the serial number. In other words, the absence of the B means nickel. N stamps on the rear face of the cylinder and on the left side of the grip frame came later.

[Absalom]

Let me move Jack's estimate just a bit earlier. I have a copy of a letter for a 437xxx that shipped in April 1923, and own 450xxx which shipped in May 1923, so I would consider that the likeliest ballpark for yours also.

[DWalt]

And I show SN 4368xx as also shipping in 4/23.