Yes, 1949. In 1948 the company transitioned from the prewar long-action design of the .38 M&P to the new postwar short-action design that featured a faster lock time. The hammer profile you see on your gun is that of the speed hammer, as the company called it on the boxes that these guns shipped in. Users also refer to this design as the sculpted hammer or fish hook hammer, though that last term is frowned upon in some quarters.

That gun is a winner. There are fewer nickel guns from this era than blued ones, and fewer round-butt guns than square ones. This is a very nice example of its kind.

And welcome to the forum. That's an attention-grabbing way to introduce yourself.

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David Wilson