Need help identifying old hand ejector

[RUT]

I recently came into possession of what appears to be a pre Model 10. There is no model# on the crane, but merely the numbers 45721. S/N on buttstock is C 153501. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.....

 

[Hawg Rider]

Yes, your revolver is definitely a 5-screw post-war M&P .38 Special (aka pre-Model 10). The C-prefix s/n began in 1948 and ended in 1967 (C1 to C999999). I would guess that yours (C153501) is early 1950s, but I'm sure that one of our Forum gurus can nail the date down better. Model numbers didn't appear until after 1957 so there would not be one in the crane area of your revolver. The stocks look to be Franzite or some other plastic, which was popular in those days. The original stocks would have been walnut diamond magnas and S&W medallions. I can't tell from the photos, but the nice condition of the bluing may mean that it's been re-blued. I have a nickel 6" model with MOP stocks, s/n C117638 ca. 1950. There were millions of M&Ps and Model 10s manufactured over the years, so yours is not particularly rare or valuable. But they are great shooters. Enjoy!

 

[RUT]

Thanks Hawg. There is some slight muzzle wear and the gun appears to be sporting the original bluing. Bore is minty and the gun appears to have spent much of its life in somebody's sock drawer. If I end up keeping it I'll be replacing the cheesy grips with some more appropriate ones, although not necessarily " diamonds."

 

[JP@AK]

Yes, it is a .38 Military & Police model with a 5" barrel from about 1951. But ship dates in that serial range are a bit mixed up. Here are some examples:

C151763 shipped in April, 1951
C151961 shipped in February, 1952
C152420 shipped in February, 1951
C155209 shipped in May, 1950

The plastic faux stag grips are, of course, an aftermarket addition.

 

[RUT]

>>so yours is not particularly rare or valuable<<

I'd like to think it's worth at least $4 bills.

 

[Buford57]

>>so yours is not particularly rare or valuable<<

I'd like to think it's worth at least $4 bills.

I doubt you'd have any problem selling it for that price.