Gun Show Find.

[Bent-Twig]

Hey Folks ,

As promised here is a picture of the grip numbers and a few more shots of the pistol. The numbers are written in in pencil . The gun has matching numbers through out. They really used to put the serial numbers on these guns didnt they. I have found six different places that the numbers are at. I know that there are alot of M&P's out there but what would be a good estimate on value of one in this condition and age? Would it be wrong to shoot such a clean old gun? I hear they shoot very well.

Twig.

 

[gaucho1]

Another amazing find. Something about pristine older Smiths.
Thank you for the fine pictures.

 

[Bent-Twig]

Congrats, Bent-Twig that is a really nice
M&P you happened to find.

I ran across one last week, a 1910 vintage
in almost as nice a condition as yours.
I'm going to pick it up tomorrow night.

It was my first venture into older Smith's,
and I have a question for the more knowledgable.
Were the M&P's pretty much all 38 special's or???

32-20 also I think!!

 

[Bent-Twig]

Another amazing find. Something about pristine older Smiths.
Thank you for the fine pictures.

Thank You all for the nice comments on the pistol!

gaucho,

I wish my camera skills were good enough to do this ole gun some justice. It is fun to hold an old S&W in your hands. Kinda takes ya back to the old days!!

Twig.

 

[JSR III]

From looking at the stock photo showing the penciled serial number, I would feel fairly confident that the stocks are original to the gun. There are characteristics that are present that are not used today by modern fakers.

 

[Bent-Twig]

but how is a gun like that worth. The reason I ask is that there is a specimen pretty similar to that one, close to mint, at a pawn shop I know marked at $699, no box.

Thanks, Pete

Hi Pete!,

Im not sure what it is worth. Maybe some of the guys that know will chime in and give an idea or two. If the one at the pawn shop is as nice and as old it would be a good one to get. Maybe you could wheel and deal with them some and pick it up.

Twig.

 

[Bent-Twig]

From looking at the stock photo showing the penciled serial number, I would feel fairly confident that the srocks are original to the gun. There are characteristics that are present that are not used today by modern fakers.

Are you referring to the 2 in the serial number? What are the characteristics?

Twig.

 

[Muley Gil]

" Were the M&P's pretty much all 38 special's or???"

The .32-20s were M&Ps in their own serial number range. Some .32 S&W Longs were built as well.

The pre Victory models were built for the British Commonwealth nations in .38 S&W.

There were also .22 LRs.

 

[tekarra]

Great find, congrats and thanks for posting.

 

[Bent-Twig]

Very nice. If the stocks are numbered to the gun it is from the 1920s, and there was a recent thread about guns just after WW I not having the logo stamped under the cylinder latch until (I think) 1924.

I remember seeing a thread where someone posted a S&W paper or page the stated that the MADE IN USA on the front right hand side of the frame started in 1924. This pistol does'nt have that stamp , so that would make it pre 1924. I have also seen where it is claimed that the no logo stocks were from 1920-1930 , so this should make the gun somewhere in the 1920-1923 range.
Twig.

 

[H P Bushrod]

That's one, clean M&P! Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Bent-Twig]

Need a Box!!

Somebody help me find a correct year box for this ole girl! I placed an add in the WTB section and didnt get one reply. Anyone know where I can find one?

Thanks , Twig.

 

[rburg]

On the box issue...I'd guess it needs a hinged maroon box. Seems they used them for M&Ps and N frames (other than RMs). You don't see very many, and when you do the sellers usually want an arm and a leg.

 

[dacoontz]

The stocks are numbered to the gun , but that is one of the questions I wanted to ask about. The numbers are on the right hand grip but are not stamped in the grip , they are hand written . I have seen this on older grips before , but did S&W do this or is this someones attempt at making it original? I have to go to work but will be home this evening and I will take the grips off and get a picture.

Twig.

This can be normal depending on how they are written. Often they were written in pencil and not stamped. There might be a time frame for when they did this but I am not sure. Someone else can likely clarify. The writing tends to look old and almost like a cursive style, at least that's how I describe it.

Oh wait, I'm a little late to the party. Sorry! Great gun though, definitely a keeper.

 

[Jebus35745]

You found a nice gun. Did you buy it from kurt? he had it in a bag he was carrying. I had the Cleve Trust gun you looked at. Did you sell the Benelli? Larry

 

[handejector]

Great gun. Good for you.
The grips are original.
The box would most likely have been a brown pebble grained with a hinged top, which preceded the maroon "Display Box".
That gun is easily worth $550-650, but it can be hard to find the buyer.......

 

[linde]

My guess at age is around 1921 - 1922 or so. The serial number is 3890xx . . . Just guessin at the year. I know there are alot of these guns out there , but are there many out there from the 20's in this condition?Twig.

That's one beautiful M&P . . . congratulations . . . and not too many of them from the early 20s survived in that condition!

Here's 395204 that shipped in January 1922 to the St. Louis Metro Police Department . . . so I would guess 1921 on yours.

If you get a hanker'in to shoot yours, let me know and I'll loan you mine . . . that one deserved to be preserved.

Russ

 

[hsguy]

Great looking M&P, it is amazing that these guns survive in such condition. Here is one that shipped to Seattle in 1919. The gun is complete with box, papers and cleaning brush with paper sleeve and is as close to a 100% gun of this vintage that I have seen. There is no evidence of it being fired after it left the factory and only the slightest hit of a turn line. The gun was found in the rafters of a house being cleaned out by the family after the old gentleman who owned the house passed away, the family did not even know he owned a gun. It was wrapped in an oily rag and inside the box, how it survived in this condition in Seattle's damp climate is a wonder.

 

[Bent-Twig]

You found a nice gun. Did you buy it from kurt? he had it in a bag he was carrying. I had the Cleve Trust gun you looked at. Did you sell the Benelli? Larry

Hey Larry,

I picked this one up a few shows earlier. I did sell the Benelli. It was nice to meet you and keep me informed on the S&W show/meeting.

Twig.

 

[BigJimNL1]

DON'T SHOOT IT!!!