Still searching for a birth year S series M&P. Found S958371 and wondering if this could be one.

Probably shipped in November or December, 1947. So, depending on when you were born . . .

If you could give details and/or post pictures, I would like to capture this one for my research.

Thanks.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Born in 1948. Close but no cigar. Since the S revolvers were only made during the first quarter of '48 they are a little harder to find.

I have a 1947 and 1949 plus all years from 1950-1952. I think they must have skipped selling guns in 1948.

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Dr. B

I have S 961030 which shipped December 5, 1947. I seem to remember that there was a bunch of serials in that vicinity that shipped to NYPD not until March 1948, but obviously, at least the production sequence was past that by year’s end of 1947, so to be safely into 1948, you probably want to find one somewhat above that.

I have # S 987266, 6" M&P shipped 4-13-1948. Nice revolver, bought it off a Forum member a while back. It is one of those revolvers with the long action. Big Larry

Yes. Quite a few of them are listed in my database. The lowest is S960680 and the highest is S961142. These did ship in March, 1948.

But there is also at least one in that range that shipped to Nassau County PD in December, 1947.

I don't know how many were in either shipment. I hope to find out at some point.

S960680 is also the lowest number in my database with a confirmed ship date in 1948.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I also have # s-963156, 2" M&P shipped 12-16-1947. Big Larry

This one shipped in March '48.

S983431

Attached Images

	.38 M&P Mar '48 R.jpg (63.7 KB, 41 views)
	.38 M&P March '48.jpg (80.8 KB, 32 views)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Thanks to everyone for the help. Found S997575. 4" that has been refinished with the original grips.

Now THAT number is what I’d call a safe bet for 1948

It does have a short action hammer. Would that be correct for a late S series?

Yes. That change did happen in the late S-series and made this a “pre-Model 10“ in the narrower sense. Jack should have the more precise serial where the change occurred.

S997575 very likely shipped in May or June, 1948. I have one in my collection just five hundred numbers higher. It shipped in May, 1948. I have another, about 1,000 digits higher, that shipped in April. But the majority of them that I have identified in this serial range shipped in June.

I saw chiefdave's gun for sale on GB. The nickel is definitely aftermarket. And it has the jig hole!

The lowest serial number in my database with a confirmed original high speed hammer is S990806. It shipped in March, 1948. The reported first one is S990184. That one shipped to Brazil on April 7, 1948.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I do have a case hardened hammer and trigger to replace the plated ones. I understand the purpose of the jig hole but does it make the revolver somewhat unique? At the price I considered it a good value for something that I have been looking for. As a bonus there is no harm done shooting it.

First, just to have a little fun with you . . . I don't know what "somewhat unique" means. It certainly is not "one of a kind," which is what unique means. I can't figure out what "partly unique" might mean.

Now, to answer your question. The jig hole starts showing up on the M&P revolvers in the mid-S99xxxx range. Yours is at the lower end of the serials in which I have identified the jig hole. The example I mentioned earlier that is about 1,000 digits higher than yours has the jig hole. But others in this range don't, including one I own that is in between yours and mine.

So, yes, the jig hole is unknown on the M&P until late in the run of S prefix revolvers. And then it does not seem to show up with any regularity, at least at first. We know that target models during this same period have the jig hole, so apparently it was a new thing with frames forged in the last couple years of the 1940s decade. I only have a couple C prefix guns from this period. One of them that shipped in February, 1951, has the jig hole. A later one does not. My K-38 from April, 1949, has one. My 1954 K-38 Heavy Masterpieces don't, if I recall correctly, but when I get a chance, I'll pull them from the safe and check.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I have a 4" M&P, sn S 857214. Would anyone venture a shot at when it was made?

Rod

1948 or there abouts.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

[QUOTE=JP@AK;140120027]S997575 very likely shipped in May or June, 1948.

May would be perfect. 1 in 21 chance of being shipped on my actual birthday.

Thanks you.

Here it is. Non factory nickel but mechanically excellent with original grips. Have a correct hammer and trigger to install. Usually I don't care too much for plated revolvers but have taken a real "shine" (pun intended) to this one.

Attached Images

IMG_1395[1].jpg (113.3 KB, 20 views)