Group, Miscellaneous info.: V #s started April 24, 1942; 3rd (new0 hammer block on Dec. 27, 1944; Black magic finishes started about Aug. 5, 1940; First sand blast blue to shipping room on Mar. 3, 1942; Parkerizing done May 4, 1942 to May 9, 1942 (about 6,000 guns). ( Note: Parkerizing was not continued as S&W found out the it was a patented process and they would have to pay royalties to use it . ) First S serial number was S769,000 on Dec 27, 1944. First C serial number was C1 on Mar. 22, 1948. First M&P with short action was S990148 on April 7, 1948. Ed #15