War era civillian shipments?

Mbrgr1 · #1 08-18-2022, 09:30 PM

I am looking at a beautiful 38 M&P in the serial range 982***, which from the bible says is 1940 - 1945. 700000-1000000

Waiting to find out if there may be an S in front of the serial number...

If not, what happened in these years during the war? I have read some info, but cannot get a clear picture.

Thanks!

Club Gun Fan · #2 08-18-2022, 09:32 PM

It would be easier to look up if the entire number was posted. Your looking at a 5 years spread.

Mbrgr1 · #3 08-18-2022, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

It would be easier to look up if the entire number was posted. Your looking at a 5 years spread.

Of course, just got home and looked up the entire #, it is (if there is no S) 982138

Thanks

murphydog · #4 08-18-2022, 10:01 PM

Don will have real specifics, but this one is likely very similar to a wartime Victory Model (4" 38 Special, matte gray finish) and went to a law enforcement or military/defense related destination.

Mbrgr1 · #5 08-18-2022, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphydog

Don will have real specifics, but this one is likely very similar to a wartime Victory Model (4" 38 Special, matte gray finish) and went to a law enforcement or military/defense related destination.

Thanks, 6" deep blue finish from what I can see, when I find out if there is an S in front, I'll revisit..

DWalt · #6 08-18-2022, 10:28 PM

Likely to have been shipped around May 1942. There was never a SN V 981238. The Victories stopped at around SV 813xxx.

Wiregrassguy · #7 08-18-2022, 10:54 PM

Most of the handguns S&W made in that time frame were British Service Revolvers. They had standard commercial finish IIRC. Most were 5" barrels but some 6" were made. Is the gun chambered for .38 S&W Special or .38 S&W? Are the grips round top service grips with silver medallions?

Mbrgr1 · #8 08-18-2022, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

Most of the handguns S&W made in that time frame were British Service Revolvers. They had standard commercial finish IIRC. Most were 5" barrels but some 6" were made. Is the gun chambered for .38 S&W Special or .38 S&W? Are the grips round top service grips with silver medallions?

38 special, diamond magna silver medallion grips. Thanks

JP@AK · #9 08-19-2022, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbrgr1

38 special, diamond magna silver medallion grips.

I suspect it has the S prefix. At S982138, it would be a postwar M&P that shipped in about March, 1948. That would also square with the blue finish and the Magna stocks.

Wiregrassguy · #10 08-19-2022, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

I suspect it has the S prefix. At S982138, it would be a postwar M&P that shipped in about March, 1948. That would also square with the blue finish and the Magna stocks.

Probably. I guess we'll have to wait for a confirmation on the serial. It still could be a pre-war commercial M&P with later stocks. They did make a smattering of commercial guns in that time period.

Major 2 · #11 08-19-2022, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

I suspect it has the S prefix. At S982138, it would be a postwar M&P that shipped in about March, 1948. That would also square with the blue finish and the Magna stocks.

If it is a S prefix M&P shipped in March of 48 that
would be as near Holy Grail birth year in my case as I have seen.
very cool...

I do have an S prefix Nov 1946 though.

Club Gun Fan · #12 08-19-2022, 08:16 AM

Some in this range shipped after World War II, without an S in the serial number.

weatherby · #13 08-19-2022, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

Some in this range shipped after World War II, without an S in the serial number.

Thanks Don
I definitely found that information interesting as I thought even the late victory ones were SV marked.

Club Gun Fan · #14 08-19-2022, 10:08 AM

Paul
I just lettered a .38 M&P Model of 1905 that shipped in 1946. It was held in inventory until the end of hostilities.

JP@AK · #15 08-19-2022, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

I just lettered a .38 M&P Model of 1905 that shipped in 1946. It was held in inventory until the end of hostilities.

That is very interesting, Don. I do have a few prewar examples in my database that shipped in 1946-48, but so far all of them had the 2" barrel. I suspect the one you lettered is a pretty rare unit if it has a longer barrel. It would be fun to know how many are out there.

JP@AK · #16 08-19-2022, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weatherby

I definitely found that information interesting as I thought even the late victory ones were SV marked.

Paul
They would be SV marked if produced after mid-December, 1944, when the sliding hammer block safety was adopted. Those started shipping in January, 1945.

But it sounds like the one Don wrote about was actually assembled before the U.S. entered the war. Hence, it would not have a letter prefix.

Club Gun Fan · #17 08-19-2022, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

Paul
They would be SV marked if produced after mid-December, 1944, when the sliding hammer block safety was adopted. Those started shipping in January, 1945.

But it sounds like the one Don wrote about was actually assembled before the U.S. entered the war. Hence, it would not have a letter prefix.

Yes and it was a 2".

JP@AK · #18 08-19-2022, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

it was a 2".

Ah! Not surprising. Thanks.

larryofcc · #19 08-19-2022, 11:09 AM

I have # S991735, blue, 5" bbl., shipped 4-1948. It is a long action with the single line address. It is a 98% revolver in it's original numbered gold box. Pretty close to the C numbers. Original, numbered to the gun magna stocks
with silver medallions. Big Larry

Major 2 · #20 08-19-2022, 03:45 PM

4-1948 ? BINGO ! that was my launch date