I'd appreciate any information about this. I was told it belonged to my grandfather who died in the early 1940's and has been passed down. We found it in my dad's sock drawer, no telling how long it had been there.
There is no model # under the yoke but it does have the Serial # C73450 on the butt, under barrel, and cylinder.
It shows holster wear and probably needs a coat of oil.
Is this something I can safely shoot with +P ammo? Is it worth holding on to?

Attached Images

	.38S&WSPC 002.JPG (111.4 KB, 247 views)
	.38S&WSPC 003.JPG (80.4 KB, 184 views)

No on the +P ammo,
Yes on should you keep it. It's an heirloom meant for your grandchildren.

I don't know the year of manufacturer or monetary value.

You have a pre-Model 10, probably from 1948 or so. Model numbers did not come into the S&W line-up for another 10 years. It's definitely worth holding onto, especially since it was your grandfather's gun, then your father's gun. And yes, it looks like it could use some oil. While it would probably handle limited +P, why would you want it too? There are plenty of standard loads in .38 Spl. that are excellent defense rounds, are less expensive, and are a little less abusive to the gun. That's the route I would go.

I think it dates back to the 20's and is a model 1905 Military and Police. Maybe 3rd revision. (did a google search)

Later becoming the model 10

This gun wasn't made until at least 1948, and maybe into the 1950's. The hammer shape is that of the shorter action with changed internal pivot points introduced about 1948. If your grandfather died in the earely 1940's, it could not have been his gun. It may have been your father's.

If it functions okay, it has utility value as well as sentimental value. I'd keep it. Those early postwar snubs are well liked here, but collectors want nicer examples. It looks as if most of the finish is gone from this gun.

Value is maybe $250-350, depending on where you live and who wants it and how badly. A dealer will pay less.

You'd better avoid Google, then. You were badly misled. S&W did not even make snub barrels on this model until the mid 1930's. The hammer is a dead giveaway that this gun has the postwar short action. The extractor rod and stocks also shout that it is a postwar version of the basic model.

It did, however become Model 10 in 1957. By then, the hammer was a more modern shape and many of them already had the more modern ramp style front sight.

That's a neat old gun.I'd just give it a gentle cleaning with some oil and a rag ( take the grips off first) without damaging the patina and call it good.I'd also hang on to it.

Welcome to this forum AuntieS.

Also the C prefix to the serial # makes it positively after WW II production. Perhaps your dad traded one your grandfather did own for this one.

It's worth a whole lot more as a family heirloom than in dollars.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Classic old gun. Congratulations on finding it and welcome to the Forum.
The even fading of the finish indicates that it occurred from dry storage rather than excessive wear so it is probably in good mechanical shape. There looks to be a crack in the bottom of the stock so be careful if you remove those.

I agree that there is no up side to using +P in that gun. Give it a good lubrication and take it to the range with standard pressure .38 Specials. It should be a treasured part of your family history because it is something that your dad felt was important to have for the protection of your family, whether you knew that or not. It is still very capable of performing that task.

Bob

Welcome to the forum.

I believe I can speak for all regular forum members in thanking you for being a very smart first-time poster. You have provided a good description and good photos without having to be promted. We appreciate your all-too-rare approach enabling us to quickly help you with your very cool revolver.

One more piece of advise before you shoot the gun. Do a Google/Youtube search on how to inspect a used revolver. Thanks for sharing, and like others, keep it.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Most of the information so far is correct. It is definitely an earlier round-butt C-series M&P, pre-Model 10, probably from 1948, possibly a little later. From the lack of finish, it's led a hard life. It does have the newer short action, termed by S&W as the High Speed Hammer. That design change occurred slightly prior to the start of the C-series M&Ps, and is easily determined by the profile of the hammer. It would be very desirable if in better condition. Good M&P snubbies from this period are always in demand.

Is is safe to use with +P ammunition? Absolutely it is, but there is no reason whatsoever to do so.

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Thanks for the correction, I gave it a shot and I was wrong, that's OK, I'm learning.
Neat old gun that I gained some knowledge on.

Welcome to the forum from Texas.

That is a neat old gun.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

I agree with what Bob said. Nice post war M&P. While the gun is not unsafe with +P (assuming it is in proper working order), +P will certainly accelerate wear, and there is no up side to use of +P.

Those revolvers were certified safe for the 38/44 when introduced, and the 38/44 is far hotter than any +P. A 38/44 pushed the 158 grain semi wadcutter at 1125 fps, while a +P moves a 158 grain bullet at only 900 to 975 fps, or LESS.

That said, just because you CAN do a thing does not mean you SHOULD do a thing. Enjoy that heirloom with mild wadcutters and save the heavy loads for a more modern weapon. Parts are not easy to come by for revolvers of that vintage, so why do something that will make the revolver need service or possible parts replacement due to accelerated wear in the future.

Thank you everyone for the great information. Obviously someone in the family was in error about who owned this first/originally. It's possible it was my grandmother's, she lived alone into her 90's. I know it wasn't my father's, he loved to hunt but had no use for handguns. I'll see if either of my uncles can tell me anything. I'm intrigued that there is a mystery to it's history.

I'm the hand gunner in the family, 10 years in LE and used to shoot PPC and Pins, NRA & LE Instructor but I don't know much about how to determine the age or value of a piece.

The sticky at the top of this forum was fantastic for telling me what information was necessary to help ID it and what to photograph. I've learned a great deal in the past 24 hours.

I didn't expect it to be of great $$ value, would have been a nice
surprise. I definitely won't shoot +P in it and I'll hang onto it. It works fine, I use it to dispatch smaller livestock.

Thank you all again. I'm looking forward to wandering these forums.

I disagree that there is no upside to using Plus P ammo. It was developed for a very good reason. It does offer added peformance, even from a short barrel. I certainly use it my short barrelled revolvers.

But you don't need it for routine shooting. Just see where it shoots and carry it in case of dire need.

I agree with most of what has been posted about your wonderful old revolver. As has been said, you would do no damage this this postwar gun by feeding it the occasional +P round, but there really is no need to do so, especially if you are not using it as a personal defense gun. In all my revolvers of that approximate vintage, I shoot only mid-range target loads (either 146 grain wadcutters or a 158 grain semi-wadcutter with a very mild charge of powder).
As for its postwar identity, this has been fully hashed out. But I'll post a photo of its immediate predecessor for comparison purposes. This 2" postwar M&P shipped just before the change in the hammer design, reflected in your revolver. It has an S prefix on the serial number. Notice the difference in the shape of the hammer.
Jack


Sorry for the lousy photo. I cropped this one out of a larger pic of 5 snub nose revolvers. One of these days, I will have to take some better pictures of this revolver.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

AND sorry for neglecting this in my previous post:
Welcome to the forum!
Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318