Info on a low SN# 5 screw 38spc

[Max242]

1st time poster new member. Picked up this 5 screw C606** 5 digit serial number 38 spec. I pulled the grips and they match the SN#. This is in very good condition. Did not want to pass it up. Online info I find says:
C series Model K possibly from 48-52.
5 digit SN# could this be from 48-49?
Asking the group to verify my info, help with a date and offer an approx value?


Thanks in advance - Max

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the S&W Forum, Max242.

Nice find - a 2" round butt M&P. At C60000, it was almost certainly assembled in 1949 and probably shipped that year. 1948 production seems to fall off around C45000.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

No, it's not a Chiefs Special.

The name is .38 Military & Police.

Congrats. Appears you picked up a nice one.

 

[s&wchad]

Yup, that's a 6 shot K frame, not a 5 shot J frame.
Nice gun!

 

[quinn]

Welcome. That is a beaut! Note that it is wearing left ofer pre WWII service grips. The round butt M&P snubbies are pretty scarce... a pride and joy to own. Congrats.

 

[Max242]

Thanks, was wondering. I removed that sentence from the OP as I also saw someone else mentioned M&P.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forum from the Alabama Wiregrass! My .38 M&P, pre-Model 10, snub shipped in mid-July 1949. It is a few thousand serial numbers earlier than yours. I suspect yours shipped in Fall 1949.


Your M&P has a nice finish with strong case colors on the hammer and trigger. The grips complement it well. I'd put it in the $600 range.

 

[Max242]

Ok so one last question please. If I wanted to purchase a period correct box would I look for the gold or red box. A friend gave me a 4 rivet blue box with writing "April 15 1955. Being that I found out my pistol is earlier, I'll just give him the box back but it would be nice to have a period correct box. Thanks again

 

[Goony]

I also have one like this, serial numbered right about 8K earlier than the OP's example. Mine shipped in February of 1949.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Your gun likely shipped in a gold box like the one below except it is for a square butt and yours should be for a round butt:

 

[Elroy]

As a service to Max242, I'd like to call their attention to this thread which contains additional information on these cool little revolvers

Age Estimate on Early 2" M&P

 

[murphydog]

Surprised that Jack forgot to mention that this is not a "low SN" .38 M & P; it is a somewhat early C prefix gun, but by that time well over 2 million (?!) of the type had already been produced, the vast majority in .38 Special but many in .32/20 and very few in .32 S & W Long. Enjoy!

 

[Max242]

Goony, nice pistol neat to have an early serial # also.

 

[Max242]

Alan, I like your clarification. Not early SN# but early "C" prefix.

 

[Max242]

Quinn, Pre WWII grips. That's impressive someone would know that. Is there a book or online reference where I can learn more also? Thanks

 

[jeffrefrig]

Max, I like that model in the snub-size. I've got one lettered, shipped January 3rd, 1949, 4 inch barrel, Serial # C37441. I found it in a gun store a couple years back. I'm not sure, but I think I only paid, total, under $450 OTD. My grandson loves it since I put target stocks on it. He asked about one of those Tyler grips on it. I don't have any, but I told him try the larger stocks first. Those T grips look like nun shoes on a dancer! He got a laugh, but people love them so who are we to judge?!

 

[Max242]

Were the owners manual the same for the C series pistols square but versus round butt? Thanks

 

[JP@AK]

Were the owners manual the same for the C series pistols square but versus round butt? Thanks

Yes, but. The "owner's manual" in the period we are talking about was the older Helpful Hints brochure. Those were in use before the war and continued into the 1950s. The more detailed spec sheets came out about the time model numbers started (I'm not sure exactly when).

Moreover, for the M&P at least, the document was the same regardless of barrel length and grip frame configuration. I collect neither N nor I frames, so I cannot speak to those.

 

[JP@AK]

by that time well over 2 million (?!) of the type had already been produced

Yes, the second million was completed at S999999, in the spring of 1948. The .32-20 ran in a complete different serial sequence, so those, roughly 145000, were additive to the total count.

 

[4K2022]

Alan, I like your clarification. Not early SN# but early "C" prefix.

Welcome to the forum. A (paradise) for S&W information