Well I had posted a price check thread here last week. On the advice of gun being a good buy I got down to my legs soon as I could. Being a major hurricane hit this area leaving me without power for 5 days I finally got down there on Wednesday. They had power but no computers so I made an offerended up with gun for $350. I got some pictures with my new cell phone at the store to give me something to look at for the 3 day wait. Very interesting on the one pic you can see where they filled in the lanyard hole. Will pick up Monday and get out to shoot it probably next Wednesday. The gun looks pretty well kept to me being 71 years old. My favorite night will be cleaning it up perfect on Monday night. Thanks to all of you that gave me the go ahead to buy it. (Rarely on here do we tell anybody not to buy) lol

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That's a nice one. I predict you will have loads of fun with that one.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

In collector parlance, it is not a Pre-Model 10. Those came later. It is a postwar SV-series M&P. They were assembled from leftover Victory parts remaining in factory inventory after VJ Day, and were made up in civilian style with a blued finish, the lanyard loop hole plugged, and checkered wood Magna grips. All were shipped during the first four months of 1946. You did well for $350.

Excellent buy.

Except for a fairly thin turn line, the gun's blue finish looks almost pristine. I don't think this gun has been carried nor fired much at all; no signs of holster wear on the edges I can see.

I'm curious about the somewhat odd discoloration of the case-coloring on the sides of the hammer, but that's a minor cosmetic issue.

I know the gun is in great shape and will love finally owning a S&W made back in or at least near the hayday of fine crafstmanship. Thanks for narrowing down the exact lingo for this m&p. I didn't really have a chance to get grips of in the store but I am hoping for a matching number on inside of rt. Grip. Looks as it spent 50 or 60 years in a well ventilated dry sock drawer. The lock up is so tight only gun I have with such a tight lockup is a 1949 colt police positive special but colts were known for the "bank vault" lockup but this one too. I will have much fun with my new toy, I have 100 hollow base wadcutters with a very mild charge ready to go already!

Yes the blue looks great everywhere. The trigger has very nice coloring but I too wonder about the case color of trigger. She will get the full ballistol treatment once I get it home. With range report next week I will include a few more pics all clean and without grips, see if just a good cleaning helps

I concur with the others, that was a very nice score for $350.
But, it almost looks like it's had a re-blue job done, the color and nearly pristine condition seem not quite right to my eye (FWIW), especially given that odd corrosion on the hammer.
Regardless, it looks like a real sweetie for what you have in it, you did good not letting it get away!

I believe the blued finish is original all the way. I don't know what's with the hammer. Maybe corrosion? Possible it could be cleaned up. The trigger looks OK.

Here is one more picture that I took of it.

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Don't be surprised if you discover it is refinished. Although it looks very nice it's hard to tell from pictures. It may be all original but it may be a correct type refinish. Either way you did well.

The SV series and the following S (before the C series started) early post war production are desirable to certain collectors.

It is actually a post-war transition.

Pop the stocks off and let's take a peak at the reverse side of the stocks and the frame flats under the stocks. Also open the cylinder and take a peak at the flash plate.

The hammer color and wear is the main indication it may be refinished and that the matte finish is just a tad too shiny but that could all be in the lighting.

If the number on the stocks match that is a big plus of which I'd lean toward it being original but cannot tell for sure yet.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I agree there is a possibility of a refinish but I highly doubt it. The gun just looks so original to me. The markings are very crisp and little to no wear on inside with cylinder open. Just a light scratch in the blue where it's been open and closed. Anything is possible till I get some more pics and take the grips off and I will put pics up of frame and inside. The trigger looks perfect but the hammer looks as if somebody tried to scratch off the case colors or maybe some pitting when I zoom way in on my phone. Weird!?!? I won't take àny comments personal till we get a better look at it. I plan to shoot all my guns at least occasionally so either original or reblued I will still treat it the same.

We're all cheering for you that it's original.
PS: My baby daughter (age 30) has always referred to me as Daddio or Daddy-O, depending on what joking mood she's in.

I do know a few people with the last name Daddio, though. One guy owned a gym in West Palm Beach about 20 years ago when last i had contact.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

As stated, it is an early postwar .38 Military & Police revolver that very, very likely shipped in March, 1946.

When you take the stocks off, please post a photo of the insides of them. Not only is the impressed serial number of interest, I would also like to see what style retaining washers are on these stocks. They are probably stamped blued steel. But some postwar style stocks in that serial range had the machined retaining washer.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Just from the rounded checkering borders, I'd think they are the later style with the stamped blued steel washers. I was going to ask the same question about posting a picture of the back side, but assumed the checkering told the tale. But maybe not.

Looks like a helluva buy at that price! Hope you enjoy it.

Well, most of the Magna stocks with the postwar style checkering did have the stamped steel washers. However, some of the earliest examples with this reduced checkered pattern did get the machined washers. I show them (blued) in the SV807xxx, SV809xxx and SV810xxx range, which is why I asked to see them.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My machinist/toolmaker experience leads me to think the discoloration on the hammer is from a careful, manual (not chemical) derusting. That leads me further to suspect a refinish, though it is a good one. I would think a factory refin would include refreshing the CCH on H&T, so likely not done at Springfield. I could be wrong. Good-looking piece ! Congrats.

Larry

FYI, this is the correct forum to accumulate knowledge on anything S&W. In this instance, I have several early post-war transition M&Ps, a few that are, "new in box".

Where this is but one of the S&W collecting "likes" for me, and I am rather well studied & experienced, I had found that member "JP@AK" is "the" guy on this, particular, collecting interest. He keeps track of the early post war changes. I, and many other members, have shared data with him in the past to further his research.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

This one shipped in 8/46. JP@AK has the particulars on it.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

That's a beauty!
I see NO indications of a refinish.
I've seen slightly later guns with machined stock circles.
I've also seen similar mottling on hammers and triggers. I think it is from oil or some other contaminant that was on them when case hardened.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Thanks handejector! I thought this gun was a really good find too! Mottling is a very good term to describe the marks on hammer. In a couple days I will pick her up and put to rest this mystery with some good pictures.