Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961
o

Notices

S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-22-2017, 12:33 AM
Rshell15 Rshell15 is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default M&p revolver

I have a pre model 10 by serial number it's made 1947 can anyone give me an idea what it's worth
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 15060545678541859273521.jpg (120.0 KB, 212 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #2  
Old 09-22-2017, 01:54 AM
Absalom's Avatar
Absalom Absalom is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,834
Likes: 10,103
Liked 27,995 Times in 8,452 Posts
Default

As it still has the long-action hammer, I assume it is an S-prefix M&P.

It looks all original, but the finish appears to be in rough shape, and not from use, like holster rub-off, but from neglect, which seriously impacts value. One picture isn't much to judge, and the artificial lighting can distort things, but the bluing looks on the verge of degrading to brown patina in places, especially on the barrel and cylinder, not a good thing on a gun that's really not that old. The caliber stamping seems to be partly corroded backward of the ...IAL CTG, although again that may be just the effect of the lighting.

These aren't rare even in good to very good condition, so I'd put the value of this gun purely as a shooter at 250 to 300 at most.

For comparison, I paid a little over 300 for the one in the attached picture, also a 1947 S-prefix M&P like yours, just with a 4" barrel, a few years ago. It just has a bit of holster wear. That was admittedly a good deal.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg photo 1.jpg (97.3 KB, 113 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 09-22-2017, 04:56 AM
S&WsRsweet S&WsRsweet is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: May 2017
Location: TTown Alabama ,Roll Tide
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 9,772
Liked 2,220 Times in 1,031 Posts
Default

I buy shooters and trade em off and I like the old M&Ps to play around with this one if in a local shop would be right up my alley at 250 to 300 bucks if cylinder and bore were in excellent condition and mechanically sound .Absaloms would command a premium as by being owned by a forum legend it now carrys fame and it is a good looking gun .

Last edited by S&WsRsweet; 09-22-2017 at 04:59 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 09-22-2017, 07:58 AM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

About $300

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-22-2017, 08:12 AM
Targets Guy's Avatar
Targets Guy Targets Guy is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Southwest Iowa
Posts: 10,867
Likes: 2,688
Liked 18,968 Times in 5,588 Posts
Default

I agree $300 would be a good ball park. This one shipped in 1946. I just bought it; paid $299.



__________________
Mike
S&WCA #3065
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 09-22-2017, 09:01 AM
gmborkovic gmborkovic is offline
SWCA Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: VA & SoFL
Posts: 8,643
Likes: 469
Liked 5,692 Times in 3,185 Posts
Default

At shows and shops, $275 retail. A great car or house gun.
__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-22-2017, 04:26 PM
jsfricks's Avatar
jsfricks jsfricks is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kennesaw,Ga
Posts: 2,579
Likes: 3,939
Liked 5,521 Times in 1,148 Posts
Default

As others stated, yours is a M&P. The "pre 10" came later.
__________________
That's what she said!

Last edited by jsfricks; 09-22-2017 at 04:27 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-22-2017, 11:08 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,471
Likes: 88,955
Liked 24,775 Times in 8,480 Posts
Default

Welcome to the Forum.

After WW II, S&W changed the lockwork of their revolvers. The newer short action revolvers were the same as the ones that were assigned and stamped with model numbers. These are the "pre Model 10s".

As noted, you have a .38 Military & Police from the late 1940s.
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-27-2017, 03:59 PM
Mikeymike_88 Mikeymike_88 is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 13
Liked 25 Times in 7 Posts
Talking my 1947

I got a 1947 5" barrel I paid
$550, should have know better I would have kept looking
But the condition is great
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20170424_234538.jpg (52.1 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg received_239017166593827.jpg (44.7 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg 20170424_235316.jpg (63.3 KB, 34 views)
File Type: jpg 20170424_234823.jpg (58.6 KB, 39 views)
File Type: jpg received_239017203260490.jpg (30.2 KB, 35 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #10  
Old 09-27-2017, 04:15 PM
Wiregrassguy's Avatar
Wiregrassguy Wiregrassguy is offline
SWCA Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 34,555
Liked 10,739 Times in 3,659 Posts
Default

Very nice transitional, Mikey! Hey, you're not too much over median price. In the mean time, you can enjoy the fire out of it!
__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #11  
Old 09-27-2017, 04:22 PM
hiconesmith hiconesmith is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: NC
Posts: 15
Likes: 47
Liked 43 Times in 10 Posts
Default

Yeah, Mikey; as has been said on this and other forums, at worst you just may have bought a little early!! Nice example. Steve
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-27-2017, 04:27 PM
reddog81 reddog81 is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IA
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 973
Liked 1,619 Times in 794 Posts
Default

In the one picture provided the frame looks OK, but the cylinder and barrel look well used. Would the serial number be stamped on the barrel and cylinder of guns from this time frame?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 09-27-2017, 04:40 PM
Wiregrassguy's Avatar
Wiregrassguy Wiregrassguy is offline
SWCA Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 34,555
Liked 10,739 Times in 3,659 Posts
Default

Yes. Under the barrel on the extractor rod flat. Will also have a 'B' preceding the SN if the gun was blued. On the face of the cylinder, behind the extractor star, on the inside of the yoke arm and on the butt.
__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 09-27-2017, 04:43 PM
JP@AK's Avatar
JP@AK JP@AK is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,477
Likes: 5,111
Liked 18,981 Times in 6,862 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by reddog81 View Post
In the one picture provided the frame looks OK, but the cylinder and barrel look well used. Would the serial number be stamped on the barrel and cylinder of guns from this time frame?
In short, yes. Barrel flat, cylinder face, extractor star, yoke serial numbers remained until about the mid-1950s.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 09-27-2017, 05:45 PM
kthom kthom is offline
Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: West Texas
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 5,289
Liked 3,903 Times in 1,519 Posts
Default

Mikeymike,
I'd a probably bought that one, especially if I knew at the time that it was a 1947 model since it matches me! That's a nice looking example and the five inch barrel makes it very slightly unusual. In this day and time, almost any vintage S&W handejector in very good condition all the way around is apt to bring $500 or very close to it.

If you like that gun, I say you did not pay a dime too much for it. That said, I always hold out for less and try my best to negotiate a better deal. You never know till you try. But when there's a gun I really (think I) want laying on the table, and I've got the money in my pocket to pay for its asking price, and the seller just flat won't budge, I'm apt to buy it! Now as I've gotten older, I won't pay a ridiculous amount more than it's worth, but more than many folks here would approve of. I've got a few that I bought that way and they are still here with me. A couple of them I thought I gave way too much for several years ago. Guess what they are bringing today? (Smile!)

I've also had regrets after walking away from the table, then coming back to buy what I wanted, and finding that someone else has bought it instead. Maybe I was lucky they did buy it before I could turn loose of the money, maybe not, but there are a couple that today I wish I had just paid the money and brought the gun home! If that nice revolver makes you smile when you look at it, hold it, fire it, I say you did good!! Go shooting, clean it up, and go shooting. Get it out once in a while and just enjoy having it. The money's gone, but what you've got in it's place is a special thing!
__________________
So long ... Ken

Last edited by kthom; 09-27-2017 at 05:48 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 09-27-2017, 08:26 PM
Absalom's Avatar
Absalom Absalom is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,834
Likes: 10,103
Liked 27,995 Times in 8,452 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy View Post
..... Will also have a 'B' preceding the SN if the gun was blued....
Actually, likely not. It appears the practice ceased before WW II, possibly because for several years no nickeled guns were produced, and did not resume post-war. We discussed this a while ago, and all went to check our post-war M&P's, and I don't think anyone found a B on the flat.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #17  
Old 09-27-2017, 08:48 PM
JP@AK's Avatar
JP@AK JP@AK is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,477
Likes: 5,111
Liked 18,981 Times in 6,862 Posts
Default

Absalom is correct. More than a dozen S prefix M&Ps live in my safe, all of them blued. Exactly none of them have the B on the barrel flat.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #18  
Old 09-28-2017, 06:08 AM
Wiregrassguy's Avatar
Wiregrassguy Wiregrassguy is offline
SWCA Member
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 34,555
Liked 10,739 Times in 3,659 Posts
Default

Quote:
We discussed this a while ago
Must have missed that discussion. Thanks for updating my education!
__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #19  
Old 09-28-2017, 06:36 AM
model3sw's Avatar
model3sw model3sw is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Florida, USA
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 7,970
Liked 4,671 Times in 1,606 Posts
Default

To find one of these early post-war S prefix, transition, M&Ps in 95%+ original condition to ANIB can get increasingly pricey for those last few percentage points of condition to ANIB.

I haven't purchased one in a few years but I have spent up to $1000.00 if pristine original finish, in original numbered burgundy 2 piece box with papers, and was glad to pay it. They're just not found in the higher condition grades too often.

As WWII wound down and finally over, S&W got control of their factory back from Uncle Sam. The first gun they could get out to fill back orders, some pre-war orders + slews of new orders, was this M&P as the machinery was already set up.

Some of these have a S prefix and some earlier models have a VS prefix using the Victory frames that were already in progress but no longer needed for WWII production.

Some one jump in here to better verifiy, but these are likely found in the 8xxxxx range and higher. I do not believe there are any in the 7xxxxx range.
__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 09-28-2017, 09:27 AM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,471
Likes: 88,955
Liked 24,775 Times in 8,480 Posts
Default

"As WWII wound down and finally over, S&W got control of their factory back from Uncle Sam."

The government took over the plant during WW I, not WW II. S&W was making 1917 revolvers in 1917-1918 and they were building them to pre-war standards, including the bluing. The military needed these 1917s "right now" and that's why S&W lost control of the facility. If you can locate a Colt 1917, the wartime finish is much rougher, with much less polishing.

WW II started in 1939. S&W had been contracted to build a light rifle for the British government, but it turned out to be less than successful. The company started building Military & Police revolvers chambered in .38 S&W to compensate. When the US entered the war, S&W built M&Ps in .38 special. Having learned their lesson in WW I, the Victory models were much rougher, with little polishing on the exterior. But they were just as functional.

When WW II ended, consumer demand for goods was enormous. It was easy for S&W to build .38 special revolvers again since they were already tooled up for the Victory model.
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Last edited by Muley Gil; 09-28-2017 at 09:41 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #21  
Old 09-28-2017, 01:43 PM
JP@AK's Avatar
JP@AK JP@AK is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,477
Likes: 5,111
Liked 18,981 Times in 6,862 Posts
Default

Clarification:

There is only one known example of a VS gun and it is almost certainly the result of a stamping error. There are dozens of SV stamped guns, many of which went to the Navy, beginning in January, 1945. When the war ended in August, the factory began to retool for civilian production and the first guns out the door with the commercial blue finish were M&P revolvers with SV and S prefixes, as Sal suggested. The SCSW indicates the SV prefix started at about SV769000, but known examples have numbers as low as SV732261 (shipped to the Navy on June 29, 1945).

The V was dropped in September, 1945, with production of the first S prefix revolver at S811120, but higher numbers still carry the SV prefix. As mentioned previously in these pages, the highest SV gun I've found has the number SV813132, although the mismarked VS gun is slightly higher.

I agree with Sal about the difficulty of finding S prefix M&P revolvers in "pristine" condition with the box. I own several at the 95% level and a few at 98%, some with, some without boxes. But you don't find them every day, nor are they cheap (usually) when you do.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Last edited by JP@AK; 09-28-2017 at 01:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #22  
Old 09-28-2017, 06:41 PM
model3sw's Avatar
model3sw model3sw is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Florida, USA
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 7,970
Liked 4,671 Times in 1,606 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
Clarification:

There is only one known example of a VS gun and it is almost certainly the result of a stamping error. There are dozens of SV stamped guns, many of which went to the Navy, beginning in January, 1945. When the war ended in August, the factory began to retool for civilian production and the first guns out the door with the commercial blue finish were M&P revolvers with SV and S prefixes, as Sal suggested. The SCSW indicates the SV prefix started at about SV769000, but known examples have numbers as low as SV732261 (shipped to the Navy on June 29, 1945).

The V was dropped in September, 1945, with production of the first S prefix revolver at S811120, but higher numbers still carry the SV prefix. As mentioned previously in these pages, the highest SV gun I've found has the number SV813132, although the mismarked VS gun is slightly higher.

I agree with Sal about the difficulty of finding S prefix M&P revolvers in "pristine" condition with the box. I own several at the 95% level and a few at 98%, some with, some without boxes. But you don't find them every day, nor are they cheap (usually) when you do.
Jack, I knew you'd drop in to clarify. My bad on the VS as I meant SV.

Any chance you can post or email me a picture of that mis-stamped VS prefix gun of yours ? (just the butt showing the VS stamp)

Of this era, and not only the M&Ps, I've found several of my collection with other, but less serious, mis-stamping. e.g. the stocks mis-stamped by 1 number or 2 digits transposed, which are clearly and obviously the original stocks. I accept something this trivial as "human error".

Whereas a mis-stamped stock is really no big deal, the SV / VS transposition on the early post war M&Ps is VERY interesting to me even though I accept as "human error", it is a rare one.

It is peculiarities such as these that make collecting these oddities even more interesting to some of us hard-core collectors.

I once had a model 1899 Army, that had a later, factory, barrel replacement. The service person numbered the new, replaced, barrel "1899" (taking the 1899 from the MODEL 1899 US Army stamped on the butt and not from the actual serial number ... again ... human error but that one occurred in a repair incident not an "off the line" new production.

I sent it off to auction because I was in my purist stages of collecting back then and the gun was just "wrong". In retrospect, I wish I had kept it.
__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 09-28-2017, 08:18 PM
JP@AK's Avatar
JP@AK JP@AK is offline
US Veteran
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,477
Likes: 5,111
Liked 18,981 Times in 6,862 Posts
Default

Hi Sal
I don't own the VS gun, although another Forum member does (or did at one time).

I do believe I have a picture of it somewhere, however. When I get a chance, I'll try to find it and send it to you via PM or email.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #24  
Old 09-28-2017, 11:38 PM
model3sw's Avatar
model3sw model3sw is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver M&p revolver  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Florida, USA
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 7,970
Liked 4,671 Times in 1,606 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK View Post
Hi Sal
I don't own the VS gun, although another Forum member does (or did at one time).

I do believe I have a picture of it somewhere, however. When I get a chance, I'll try to find it and send it to you via PM or email.
Thank you, Jack. Email is best.
__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
.38 special revolver more accurate than .357 magnum revolver... Wheelgunner840 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 28 10-25-2020 09:07 AM
One Additional Revolver = Double the weight of my S&W Revolver Collection WisconsinKen S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 01-23-2016 11:11 AM
.38 Cal. S&W revolver Konastephen S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 2 01-10-2014 04:40 AM
picking a s&w revolver to restart revolver collection mg357 The Lounge 40 11-10-2012 04:14 PM
9mm revolver zeilstra Smith & Wesson - The Wish List 13 09-18-2009 04:02 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:29 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)