Beautiful to Me story update

shown50

shown50

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I picked up a 1905 4th change M & P in .38 dating back to 1934 its nickel and has some pitting on it. This gun has clearly not been shot much the bore is gorgeous and the grooves are strong. The action is so smooth and the gun locks up great its an all numbers matching gun. As you can see in the picture the right grip is semi smooth along with some pencil markings that I think say JJ MOPD. The gun has marks where bullets have been in the cylinder for years. It has not been refinished atleast not by the factory and the hammer and trigger aren't nickeled which leads me to believe its all original. My questions are is it worth getting the grips refinshed or the gun redone by the factory, should I get a letter for the gun, whats the value (I know they made almost 2 million), and lastly does anybody have a M & P box they'd sell?

Also I only have 250 in it!
 

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Beautiful to me too! I don't think its as old as you suggest though. It appears to be a pre Victory model, probably from 1940-42. If you could provide the serial number, off the bottom of the grip frame, it would be helpful. I would recommend you don't do anything to the gun, other than clean it up and enjoy it. Actually the factory probably wouldn't do the work because of it's age. The condition would suggest it was probably a cop's gun and he was probably right handed, judging from the condition of the right grip. The markings inside the right grip are most likely the the original owner's initials.

This is a 1947 pre Model 10 that got me started with this addiction. It also appears to have been a LEO gun. I don't know, it just spoke to me. It's right grip also has a lot more wear to it than the left. It has a few finish issues, but I would never consider having it re-finished. Its beautiful to me just the way it is! ;)

IMG_0370.jpg


As far as an original box for your gun, good luck. It'll probably cost you as much or more than what you paid for the gun, IF you could even find one. A letter would be interesting and nice to have with the gun. It'll cost you $50, but it would just add value to the gun, which is already more than you've got in it. I would estimate its vale in the $350 range.
 
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Just have to say this. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If it appeals to you and it obviously does nothing lost. With the exception of a couple revolvers and autos, none of mine will win any beauty contests. But they are not junkers either. The last one I got was a K38. Nothing to crow about as it has some cosmetic issues. But I've always wanted one and this was in my price range. 'Nuff said. Frank
 
KEN L said:
Beautiful to me too! I don't think its as old as you suggest though. It appears to be a pre Victory model, probably from 1940-42. If you could provide the serial number, off the bottom of the grip frame, it would be helpful. I would recommend you don't do anything to the gun, other than clean it up and enjoy it. Actually the factory probably wouldn't do the work because of it's age. The condition would suggest it was probably a cop's gun and he was probably right handed, judging from the condition of the right grip. The markings inside the right grip are most likely the the original owner's initials.

This is a 1947 pre Model 10 that got me started with this addiction. It also appears to have been a LEO gun. I don't know, it just spoke to me. It's right grip also has a lot more wear to it than the left. It has a few finish issues, but I would never consider having it re-finished. Its beautiful to me just the way it is! ;)

IMG_0370.jpg


As far as an original box for your gun, good luck. It'll probably cost you as much or more than what you paid for the gun, IF you could even find one. A letter would be interesting and nice to have with the gun. It'll cost you $50, but it would just add value to the gun, which is already more than you've got in it. I would estimate its vale in the $350 range.
Click to expand...

Thanks I actually had the serial number checked on here in another thread and that's what they told me your gun is very nice thanks for your info
 
I'm going to guess that was a police handgun, with the grip the evidence that it was carried a whole lot and seldom fired. I'd leave it alone, it has "character".
 
It's a gun that I'm gonna hold on to I like the way it feels in my hand and just looks cool
 
shown50,
Your gun is from the mid to late 30's- probably 37, give or take a year.
 
The wear and "character" are part of its beauty for me. It could surely tell some stories if it could talk.

I'd treasure it as it is, and shoot the hell out of it if I could find ammo.
 
oberon said:
There's nothin' wrong with that thing.
I'll have a pre-10 or a 1905 someday.....
Click to expand...

they have them for sale all over the place in my neck of the woods im gonna pick up another one this time in blue and im gonna try my hand at cold blueing it
 
Update: I just talked to my aunt who works for the Knox County PD and shes is calling the Missouri PD to ask about searching the old records for the guns serial number. I found the inscription J.J. MOPD on the inside of the grip i also found a story of James j. Carmody who died after getting hit by a street car. How great would it be if this is his gun! I know its a long shot i should an update in a few days.
 
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shown50 said:
I picked up a 1905 4th change M & P in .38 dating back to 1934 its nickel and has some pitting on it. this gun has clearly not been shot much the bore is gorgeous and the grooves are strong the action is so smooth and the gun locks up great its an all numbers matching gun and as you can see in the picture the right grip is semi smooth along with some pencil markings that i think say jj mo and some letters that i cant read the gun has marks where bullets have been in the cylinder for years the gun has not been refinished atleast not by the factory and the hammer and trigger aren't nickeled which leads me to believe its all original my questions are is it worth getting the grips refinshed or the gun redone by the factory, should I get a letter for the gun, whats the value (I know they made almost 2 million), and lastly does anybody have a M & P box they'd sell

also I only have 250 in it
Click to expand...

Good score! But with a paragraph that long you need to use a few more periods! I'm a little dizzy.:p
 
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