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


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  #1  
Old 04-21-2018, 07:23 PM
Captain H Captain H is offline
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Default Help Dating my Pre-war M&P

First post here. I've been a lurker here for years.

I would appreciate any help here for this new revolver that I have bought.

Pre-war M&P .38 Spl 5 screw SN# 378xxx

There is only a 5 digit number behind the yoke 99970

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Old 04-21-2018, 08:15 PM
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378xxx would probably make its shipment around mid-1921 if not slightly earlier. It should not have the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on the right side of the frame above the trigger. I have felt that the revolvers S&W made during the 1920s were among the best. Grips on yours are at least period correct. You may be able to see a penciled SN on the inside of the right grip panel. I have an M&P in much the same high condition as yours, but from a little later. 99970 is simply a parts assembly matching number and has no significance.

Last edited by DWalt; 04-21-2018 at 08:24 PM.
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Old 04-21-2018, 08:20 PM
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That's a beautiful revolver. Do you plan to shoot it? I would have to. A lot.
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Old 04-21-2018, 08:38 PM
Captain H Captain H is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
378xxx would probably make its shipment around mid-1921 if not slightly earlier. It should not have the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on the right side of the frame above the trigger. I have felt that the revolvers S&W made during the 1920s were among the best. Grips on yours are at least period correct. You may be able to see a penciled SN on the inside of the right grip panel. I have an M&P in much the same high condition as yours, but from a little later. 99970 is simply a parts assembly matching number and has no significance.
Thank you for the information. It does not have MADE IN USA on the side in front of the trigger guard. There were no pencil marks on the underside of the grips. The grips fit perfect, no overhang at all.

I do plan to shoot it. It will not be a high round count shooter and I plan to only use standard pressure LRN or lead semi wadcutters thru it. The bore is perfect and the action is tight and locks up very tight. I do not think it was shot much. There is hardly a turn ring on the cylinder.
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Old 04-21-2018, 08:45 PM
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The penciled SN on the grips are usually very difficult to see if you can see them at all. Most anyone would assume that for a revolver in that condition, the grips are original to it even if the SN cannot be seen. You will find that the sights are a bit difficult to use. A few years later, S&W improved them a little.

Last edited by DWalt; 04-21-2018 at 08:47 PM.
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Old 04-21-2018, 08:53 PM
CapnB CapnB is offline
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Welcome to the forum and what a great first post. She’s a real beauty. Good shootin’,
Doug
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:24 PM
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Captain H
That, my friend, is one very nice looking M&P from the early 1920s. The stocks appear to have some small dings near the butt, but are otherwise very easy on the eyes.

Terrific first post and a wonderful 5" revolver. Enjoy it. I know I would!
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:26 PM
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mid 1921 works for me.

This one (s/n 394728) shipped 12/21

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Old 04-21-2018, 11:40 PM
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From the sn yours has a heat treated cylinder introduced in 1920
(@# 316648) in K frame 38 spl. Thanks Hondo44 for establishing this.
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ExRanger714 View Post
From the sn yours has a heat treated cylinder introduced in 1920
(@# 316648) in K frame 38 spl. Thanks Hondo44 for establishing this.
That is the right serial number, but the heat treatment on that revolver was done in September, 1919.
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Old 04-22-2018, 12:08 AM
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I stand corrected. Thanks JP. Regards JD
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Old 04-22-2018, 07:34 AM
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That's a purty M&P! Congratulations!
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