I bought a Smith & Wesson Military & Police, pre-Model 10, in .38 Special in blued finish with a four inch barrel, a few months back at a local flea market. The revolver was in very good condition overall with the exception being the later replacement grips which had been painted black. The rest of the gun was in excellent condition. I noticed on the butt of the gun adjacent to the serial number a set of hand stamped, after market, numbers. The numbers were "6192" and were located directly under the "S" in the factory applied serial number. I took it that the gun was probably a police issued weapon or possibly some type of guard gun. I paid $275 for it. $40 and about a month and a half later I received a letter from Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks that solved the mystery.....

"... Our records show this handgun was shipped on September 27, 1946, and delivered to New York City Police Department, New York City, N.Y."

I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.