just picked this up. i purchased it as a mod 10, but when i got home and checked the numbers, it seems to be a pre 10 m&p 38. by the serial# i come up with a mfg year of 1954. according to the standard catalog, the 10 wasnt made until 1957. am i correct? if so is a m&p 38 more valuable than a 10? on the butt, there is a C, followed by 340381. thanks for your help!![IMG][/IMG]

Not especially more valuable. The half-moon sight disappeared in 1952. Open the crane if you see a 10 or 10-something its a 10 if not its a pre-10.

I have one just like yours. Mine is about 2,000 lower serial. 1954 is about when I figure mine was made.

As a general rule, if condition equal older will bring more. Maybe a little, maybe a lot depending. Yours has incorrect post 1968 stocks.

The only difference between your 1954 M&P and a 1957 Model 10 is the model number stamped on the latter.

BTW- The round sight may have been officially discontinued in 1952 but examples as late as 1958 are noted. S&W used up old barrels for a long time.

Hi,
I have a M&P pre-10 4 inch production date 1954 just like yours. The hammer is the short throw current design. Yours and mine are really the same revolver that S&W started putting the model 10 on in 1957. They are not rare and S&W made a lot of these between 1950 to 1956. The value in good condition is $300 to $325 in most cases.
Hope this helps,
Howard

Mine has that sight too and is close to your serial #. Mine came with firestones. I need the correct stocks.

Thanks for the info guys!! Now I just need to find the correct Stocks an ill be good to go!

I'd pay more for one marked with the model number. S&W says they're Plus P suitable, and they may have been given new heat treatment and metallurgy changes, as Chic Gaylord mentioned in his book about 1960. He said that S&W assured him that guns made then were indeed made of stronger steel.