I have a service revolver inherited from my father-in-law with SN of S 955xxx stamped on the barrel, cylinder and butt but on the frame just under the yoke are two rows of numbers. The top two are: 3 2 and the second row is: 30016.
I emailed S&W with the serial number (from gun butt) and was told the gun was manufactured in 1948, but that is the extent of my knowledge of the gun's history.

I am new to the forum and would post some pics but do not know the best way to do so.

Appreciate any help you can give.

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Everything's been said before.

I have a service revolver inherited from my father-in-law with SN of S 955xxx stamped on the barrel, cylinder and butt but on the frame just under the yoke are two rows of numbers. The top two are: 3 2 and the second row is: 30016.
I emailed S&W with the serial number (from gun butt) and was told the gun was manufactured in 1948, but that is the extent of my knowledge of the gun's history.

I am new to the forum and would post some pics but do not know the best way to do so.

Appreciate any help you can give.

__________________
Everything's been said before.

Welcome to the forum.
The numbers you are referring to are called "assembly numbers" and are used to keep the various fitted parts together during the manufacturing process. They are meaningless for any other purpose and there are no records kept based on them.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Picture posting instructions, thanks to bdGreen:

How To Post Pictures

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John

Thanks deadin for the numbers info.

Here are a couple of pics of the revolver. It has seen a lot of wear, but my father-in-law and I were pretty tight and it has sentimental value to me.

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Everything's been said before.

Tryin' the photos again (thanks for pic info y'all)
[IMG:left] [/IMG]
[IMG:left] [/IMG]
[IMG:left] [/IMG]

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Everything's been said before.

That's not "a lot of wear", that's "a lot of character" Who did the checkering on the grips? (It's not factory). Also the front sideplate screw looks like a replacement. However,family guns are always neat and, IMHO, should be left just as received. It shows that the previous owner(s) did what was necessary to make the gun more usable to them.

Good pictures!

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Thanks deadin. I agree about the 'character'.
I don't know how/where/when the grips were added. My father in law passed some years ago and he got the gun from his older brother when he passed - so the trail is lost.

I think I will at least contact S&W for the original shipping and purchaser letter.

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Everything's been said before.

The rear sideplate screw (under the grip) is flat. It's possible the two screws were inadvertently switched - you might want to look.

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"I also cook."

WOW! That M&P is great! That's the way a working gun is supposed to look. Good honest wear and tear without being mistreated. Congrats.