So, another M&P came my way this week. I need to take a couple photos, but heres the run down so far.
4" barrel, all numbers match, including the super shape stocks. Wont win a beauty contests, but shoots great with my loads in 38 S&W -- Some bluing loss on the barrel? I dont think it was blood, but who knows? Funny thing, It has a plugged hole where a layanrd swivel was? Cant help but wonder where in is life this might of been done or whether or not it was original? Ser# is 689907 on this once orphan sweetheart. Any guesses on the above? Thanks for looking.

To add to the fun, a SDMYERS carved holster I have fits the gun like a glove. I was thinking the holster predates the gun, but I dont know at this point.





Gone over her under glass and can find no other markings except part number on frame. ?

You say nothing about any additional non-factory markings, but at that serial, with lanyard hole, and in .38 S&W it would have to be an early (1940) British Service model.

A 4” BSR of that time frame usually means a South African contract gun, but again, there should be markings.

It could well be South African, ca. mid-1940. Swivel hole could have been plugged at any time, anyone with a lathe could make a plug in about two minutes.

At present I can see NO markings of any kind. Will hae to study under better light.

Yes, of course, it could of been plugged at any time. Just wondering why it might have been there in the first place?

I would think it is most likely a South African gun, just for lack of alternatives.

There were over 10,000 M&P's in .38 S&W contracted to SA direct in 1940, falling between about the 685- to 720- serial ranges. The configuration, 4", swivel, .38 S&W, finish and stocks, is identical to yours.

If they don't have the arrow-U on the backstrap, they didn't make it to Cape Town, no matter what a letter might say. The first 4600 were diverted to Britain, after they left the factory. I suspect it's one of those, and it got back here through other than regular surplus channels without proofing.

There were no known commercial M&P's in .38 S&W produced and sold at that time, so there is no other plausible option. We have another member with an unmarked one like this; I can't find the thread right now.

THANK YOU SIR!! No other markings for sure. Might you know if it would of been shipped WITH a lanyard ring?

Trippled checked. No Markings on backstap only 'REG US PATENT OFFICE' on the hammer.

Yes. All British Service calibered M&P's shipped with swivel. The Brits have always been lanyard junkies

To my knowledge the only "officially" factory-plugged lanyard holes can be found on a limited number of 1946-shipped SV-prefix post-war M&P's made at the transition time from the Victory.

Wonder where I might find one? Or if the pluge could be removed easy enough if I did find on. No big deal but might be nice to be as original as possible. I know there isnt a lot of value here so no re-bluing here, just a fun to shoot gun. I assume by 1940 the cylinder ciuld handle a stouter load than normal, but it really isnt important. THANKS oh yeah, would the swivel be smaller than on a N frame?

Numrich currently only has reproductions:

Search | Numrich Gun Parts

Check e-bay, Gunbroker, etc. for originals. You may even try the classifieds here on the forum.

For the technicalities of removal and installation, someone else will have to chime in. Not my department

IIRC, the swivels are the same for N or K frame revolvers.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I have a 2nd model .44 Special that was built on a 1917 frame. When I bought it, it had the lanyard loop hole plugged. A couple of years ago, I decided to re-install a loop. It turned out that the plug had been soldered into place. I drilled a hole in the plug and put an ease-out into it. I then heated the butt until I could get the plug out. I then installed a loop.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks Gil. I am guessing this was pretty much the standard for this operation, that being sodered in. Saw a couple on flea bay, seems thirty dollars id the standard asking price. Might find one at a gun show, If we ever get to have any.

GIL, well I went into my small stash of tylers and found a mat-black one for a K frame-- PERFECT. So I removed the stocks again as I had soaked them in lemon polish a few hours. Removing the stocks, I saw a B, for blue, and a couple markings that are unreadable to me except for a 'v' ?? Looking further I discovered a small pin. As there was nothing else that was connected to the plug I laid the gun on a bench block and tapped the pin out. took the gun and tapped the butt with the plug down over the center hole in the block. The plug dropped right out OF course it had an indent for the pin which locked the plug in. I must assume this was the way the original swivel was attached so now I just need to find one. would like to do better than 30 bucks if possible. Will put a note in the want ads here first. Thanks for the help.