Boy, you guys sure are costing me a lot of money! At least that is what I am telling the wife!

Anyway, I am currently looking at a post war M&P .38 spl in 95%+ condition. S prefix serial number putting it around 1948, 5" barrel, 5-screw (obviously). All serial numbers match, and the grips are excellent. The barrel has the patent dates on the top, and the frame only has the 1-line Made in USA address. It also has the long throw hammer. I think the frame is a pre-war frame, so would you call this a "transitional" M&P?? Should I jump on this one at $450?? (As I type this, that appears to be a dumb question, but I still want your input.) Thanks.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

I think I would be interested at $450. Gopher it!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

To get your vocabulary question out of the way first:

No, I wouldn‘t call this “transitional”, and I doubt it has a “pre-war frame”. There are only relatively few 2” pre-war frame models shipped post- war, but with pre-war serials, and this obviously isn’t one. There is also no difference in frame shape between pre- and post-war, so for this model, the distinction is irrelevant anyway. So it’s just an S-prefix post-war M&P, though many people are in the habit of calling these transitional, unjustified in not just my opinion.

But yes, in the condition you describe, that would be a good buy if you are after a 6” version. Not a killer deal, but a good price.

Thanks for the replies so far. I am always seeking further education regarding the nuances of S&W revolvers. Even my 68 year old brain still thirsts for knowledge. I have a couple more questions.

1. Approximately when did S&W quit roll stamping the top of the barrel with all the patent dates?

2. Approximately when did S&W change the address to the 4 line address as opposed to just the "Made in USA" one line address?

3. Are barrels with and without the top roll marked patent dates found on S series M&Ps

4. Are both one line and four line addresses found on S series M&Ps?

I could not find this info in the SCSW 4th.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

For an S prefix postwar M&P with 6" barrel in 95% condition, $450 is a fair price.

If you will send me a PM with the complete serial number, I can tell you a bit more about it. I'd also like to capture the data for my research project on these 1946-48 M&P revolvers. 6" barrels are in a dead heat with the 2" for the least common length during this period.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

About 1949-50. It was phased out as older barrels were used up out of the bin.

Sometime in 1948, after the S prefix production ended in March.

No. To date no S prefix revolver has appeared that lacks the patent dates (except, of course, on the 2" guns that never had them to begin with).

No. I have information on more than 1,000 examples in my database, and no 4 line addresses have showed up yet. On the M&P, that seems to have started in the C series.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I wouldn't jump at $450 but I would sure move at a faster pace.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I made a typo in my OP. Barrel is 5", not 6". My bad. OP has been edited to correct mistake.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

I have not seen any reference to an S-series M&P having the 4-line address, but anything is possible. Most any S&W revolver shipped after roughly early to mid-1948 will have the 4-line address. There are several low-serial numbered C-series M&Ps known to have the 1-line "MADE IN USA" frame stamping, and that makes it fairly certain that there are no S-series K-frames with a 4-line address.

Regarding the use of "Transitional", that is a term I personally do not use to describe any postwar M&P as there is no good definition for what it means.

Got it. It shows as a 5" gun in my database. Thanks for sending me the number.

A September, 1947, ship date is extremely likely.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My highest s/n S prefix postwar (S9768xx) shipped in 3/48 and it still has the one liner.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065