1915 M&P?

[spad124]

I’m looking for some info on this M&P. SN is 2561xx. From what I’ve been able to research on SNs it appears to be a 1905 Hand Ejector Fourth Change that shipped sometime around 1915-16? The stocks seem to match a post on this site describing stocks from 1910-1919. Caliber is .38 Special.

I know S&W M1917 production was under government control in 1918-1919, but did S&W retain control of other production and continue making M&Ps and other civilian revolvers?

Thanks in advance!

 

[gmborkovic]

Spad, nice old honest factory nickel finish. Glad to see one. Tha plate seam and screw slots appear to be un-molested.

 

[rct269]

What I had was M&P Target #264678, shipped March 1, 1917, and same #404219, shipped September 9, 1922---so not much help there.
I had 3rd Model Single Shot #4807 shipped November 3, 1915, but that gun was completed in May of 1911. Another 3rd Model S.S shipped February 17, 1916---and another M&P Target following, but that shipped in 1922; so no help again.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[TJm15.38]

That's a fine looking old revolver. Looks to be in decent shape.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

.38 M&P serial 246033 shipped in December 1915.
.38 M&P serial 257354 shipped in August 1916.


The stocks are correct for the period of production. There may be a serial number on the back of the right grip panel written in pencil. May be hard to see without lighting enhancements. Since this M&P was made before the US entered WWI, its manufacture wouldn't have been affected.

 

[spad124]

Thanks all. The M&P was carried by an ancestor of a friend who served on a police force of a town near Chicago. Back in those days there was actually a separation between Chicago and what today are the western burbs. The M&P has been with the family for a long time.

 

[rct269]

Spad, nice old honest factory nickel finish. Glad to see one. Tha plate seam and screw slots appear to be un-molested.

"un-molested"?

Does that mean seldom if ever removed, or done so properly?

If the former, that would translate to a direct violation of S&W's recommendations. Those go like this: "If a revolver is used daily, it should be oiled every month, and this is best accomplished by removing the sideplate on the right hand side of the arm."

Given less than daily use, a simple extrapolation will give you a schedule for proper maintenance, and it's unlikely to involve a frequency of years.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[spad124]

Ralph- I really don’t know the maintenance history, no one alive today does. What I do know is the M&P has been in my friend’s family for decades and been stored for a very very long time. Presumably the side plate may have been removed for maintenance at some point, and if so gmborkovic’s kind observation indicates that person knew to at least use the proper tools. Considering the original owner ancestor police officer passed away more than 5 decades ago and my friend’s generation aren’t really interested in firearms the fact that it wasn’t turned in at a buy back or surrendered for destruction is a plus. This is just a family preserved heirloom that isn’t pristine but came by its wear honestly.

 

[rct269]

My comments were not directed, nor applicable to this gun; but to the seeming legions who view removing the sideplate as an act fraught with peril. Perhaps we can think of them as the great unwashed.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[seasoldier85]

Thanks all. The M&P was carried by an ancestor of a friend who served on a police force of a town near Chicago. Back in those days there was actually a separation between Chicago and what today are the western burbs. The M&P has been with the family for a long time.

Just out of curiosity, what suburb of Chicago?

 

[spad124]

The family is from the Elmhurst area. Even 50 years ago all those older communities from the turn of the 20th century used to have their own community identities. Now it’s one big sprawl from the lake to Elgin. Kinda sad.

Thanks to all who contributed. You’ve given me some great info to pass on to my friend.

 

[CactusCal]

nickle plated m&p

I looked closely at the cylinder slots in the picture, this one looks like it may have the hardened inserts to prevent wear. I have an identical one, not as perfect nickel, little higher serial number, no inserts. some internal parts were changed greatly over the years.

 

[seasoldier85]

The family is from the Elmhurst area. Even 50 years ago all those older communities from the turn of the 20th century used to have their own community identities. Now it’s one big sprawl from the lake to Elgin. Kinda sad.

Thanks to all who contributed. You’ve given me some great info to pass on to my friend.

My Father and Brother were cops in Franklin Park back in the day (60's and 70's). I left in '85 and never looked back. The "sprawl" is sad indeed...

 

[handejector]

We don't require tie wraps here.

 

[spad124]

We don't require tie wraps here.

And no offense or disrespect to the forum was intended. By way of explanation, as I mentioned, the 1905 M&P belongs to my friend. He recently inherited the family heirloom 1905 M&P and other firearms. The family overall are not that familiar with firearms although my friend has expressed an interest in learning and learning to shoot. The 1905 M&P came to him with the tie and he has left it on to date. As the revolver isn’t mine I’m not able to just remove the tie. In the photos I’ve posted of my personal K and N frames and other firearms they’ve all been sans zip ties. Lee, I know you put in a lot of effort to moderate the forum and I appreciate your efforts and that this forum has always been an open and informative source.

 

[spad124]

I looked closely at the cylinder slots in the picture, this one looks like it may have the hardened inserts to prevent wear. I have an identical one, not as perfect nickel, little higher serial number, no inserts. some internal parts were changed greatly over the years.

I wasn’t aware that S&W ever put in hardened inserts. Always something to learn. Next time I am able to look at the M&P I’ll see if I can confirm. Thanks.

 

[BC38]

I looked closely at the cylinder slots in the picture, this one looks like it may have the hardened inserts to prevent wear. I have an identical one, not as perfect nickel, little higher serial number, no inserts. some internal parts were changed greatly over the years.

I've never heard of these inserts either.
Do you have any documentation or references to S&W having ever done this?