Age Estimate on Early 2" M&P

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I show 2" examples in that serial range shipping anywhere from May, 1949 to April, 1950. So a 1949 date is entirely possible.

The 2" units were not nearly as common or popular as the 4" or even the 5" at that time, so the ship dates are pretty spread out.

As a reference point, M&Ps were shipping in 1948 all the way up to serial numbers in the C41000 range.
 
I show 2" examples in that serial range shipping anywhere from May, 1949 to April, 1950. So a 1949 date is entirely possible.

Thank you. Much appreciated

May I also please solicit your comments on the rarity and value impact of the nickel finish.
 
My M&P snub serialed C53xxx shipped 13 July 1949, the day before I was born.


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That's a pert nice snub, Elroy! I wouldn't mind owning it.
 
Oh boy that's a dandy kinda strange to me anyway to see that style grips on a C prefix gun, but i imagine they were older stock used up.
Yes, the OP's gun has service stocks with the prewar style of checkering. You don't see these in nickel very often either.

My 2" RB M&P has service stocks with the postwar checkering pattern, but it's a later gun (C170,5XX).

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kinda strange to me anyway to see that style grips on a C prefix gun, but i imagine they were older stock used up.
In the first six or seven years after the war, the number of round butt M&Ps produced was pretty low and only 2" units had that grip configuration. In fact, a significant percentage of the round butt 2" units sold during the S prefix period (1946-1948) were actually prewar frames. This has been documented on several occasions.

It would seem that S&W had a supply of prewar round butt stocks, both walnut and hard rubber, stashed away. Most of the round butt M&P examples sold in the immediate postwar period were shipped with prewar hard rubber stocks. In the early '50s we see more of them with prewar walnut stocks until the postwar style started showing up, as s&wchad has illustrated.

Hence, there isn't anything unusual about the OP's revolver, except for the nickel finish. Factory nickel examples are scarce, at best, in this period.

Elroy
To answer your question, I do believe the nickel finish deserves a premium. It is hard to say how much it would be but, personally, I'd probably shell out maybe $100 extra for it if I were bidding on one. That is a very nice example of a scarce item. :)
 
The most desirable of the more common M&P snubbies are the postwar S-series models, and most of them had square grip frames. The pre-war and wartime Victory versions are extremely desirable can bring very fancy prices.
 
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The most desirable of the more common M&P snubbies are the postwar S-series models, and most of them had square grip frames.
In support of this statement, I supply the following information drawn from the approximately 15,000 units in my early postwar M&P database:

Various barrel lengths and grip configuration from most common to least common:
4" square butt
5" square butt
2" square butt
6" square butt
2" round butt
 
Interesting thread. I recently picked up a decent 2 inch RB snub with very close serial number C 60xxx. Sorry no photos at the moment. Mine has the old prewar style service stocks.

It's an interesting time period where the factory was using up old style service stocks and transitioning to the newer magna stocks.

Nice snub you got there OP!
 
May I please solicit "polish Recommendation"

Elroy got tired of waiting on polish recommendations so he plugged in the bench grinder and got after it. For nearly 73 years old, it's acceptable in Elroy's book.
 

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I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet. I have a feeling though the grips are neat prewar style, they're not going to feel very comfortable when firing. We'll see.

My real love when it comes to K frame snubs are the 3 inchers. They're easier to shoot and conceal about as well as the 2 inchers when worn on the outside with a shirt draped over.
 
In my humble opinion ,these are Bar-B-Que guns (almost) not carry guns. To be a true BBQ gun they need to be scratched up with some road rash. I'm sure they'll work for you exactly like they did 70 years ago. Be safe and carry might appropriate.
 
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