Anyone have a guess as to # 530283, no XXX's. Book is vague and I am on a buying tear for S&W's and Winchester 22 rifles. Thanks, Big Larry

Looks like 1925-26 to me, but what do I know?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I think you know quite a bit Marine. Semper Fi and thanks, Big Larry

I have a 1905 4th. Target sn.579129 shipped Dec.27,1927.
Hope that helps.

Richard

Here is one that is closer to your number:
5315xx shipped in February, 1926.

As you know, only a letter can tell you for certain when yours left the factory.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I list 5358xx as shipping in 4/26. And yours is not a Model of 1905 but a round butt M&P.

I am getting all my info from Supicas book. I know that some call it a Model of 1902, but isn't it a M&P M1905 4th change?
I have never seen another 4th change round butt for sale. I also have a 3rd change round butt. Am I getting wrong info in the book? Thanks, Big Larry

Oh no!!!! Not the dreaded round butt vs. square butt 1903 vs. 1905 debate again?!?!?!?!? They made 1905 4th change in round butt but some do not acknowledge this calling all round butts 1903's. It is a real beauty and the round butts are more scarce then the square even though the book says it the other way around.

S&W dropped the Model of 1902 and Model of 1905 nomenclature before WWI (ca. 1915). After that S&W called them all the Military and Police Model, either round butt or square butt. Many collectors continue to use "Model of 1905" in reference to all M&Ps (either butt shape) made clear up to WWII, so by tradition it is not exactly incorrect to do so. But it is important to note that S&W itself did not (nor did they ever use "changes"). Prior to WWI, the Model of 1902 had a round butt while the Model of 1905 had a square butt. That's the only definitional difference between them, despite the rantings and ravings by some others that it's not. We will probably hear from them as we nearly always do when this topic comes up.

As DWalt says, it’s a collector thing.

For the factory, sellers, and ordinary buyers and users of the guns, meaning likely about 99% of those who dealt with them over the last century, World War I is the cut-off and it was the Military & Police from then on.

In the history letters, Roy uses the Model 1905, 4th Change, for all M&P’s up to the beginning of the V-prefix in spring of 1942.

The 1902 vs. 1905-rd. butt distinction can be important when small parts for early-1900s specimen are the issue. Lee has explained this very well recently.

Use whatever is least confusing

Thanks guys for all the info. I also bought a M&P Target Model from around 1934. What should I call it? Many thanks, Big Larry

This should be a sticky...

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