Help me date a M and P

[gunnails]

Being offered for $300. 38 special, being sold cause it shoots to the left?

SN 442834



An approximate estimate on age or any other comment welcomed.

Thanks.

[Muley Gil]

Mid 20s (I think). Buy it.

Guns can shoot to different points of aim for different people.

[Targets Guy]

.38 M&P Model of 1905 Change 4. c. 1915-1942

Closest I can get you is s/n 445916. It shipped in 4/24.

Buy it and aim a little to the right.

[Absalom]

That is not a bad price for what looks to be an all-original gun. Stocks are at least period-correct, finish looks a bit rough but can probably be cleaned up. Shipping dates bounce around a bit during that time, but Targets Guy's 445 in April 1924 is likely a bit of a late shipper; I have a 450 that shipped in May 1923, so yours was likely made sometime during the preceding months.

[model3sw]

without pulling out the old faithful Magic 8 ball, early-mid 1920s seems about correct.

Usually it's the guy holding the gun that shoots to the left and not the gun but it could have a tad of a bent barrel or front sight but it likely may be just fine. Even the old WWII batted and beat Victories after a World War or rough service and abuse, then and another 70 years in surplus buyers / shooters'' hands still hit to point of aim FAITHFULLY.

[4barrel]

For 3 I can wack the barrel with a little lead in a vice.

[gunnails]

Thanks guys, I just bought it.

Been wanting a vintage smith for a long time and this fits the bill.

It appeared to be all original to me and I love guns with honest wear. The pictures are fuzzy but it actually looks pretty good to me. He confirmed the cylinder has the plumb color, which I like on a gun of this age.

Seller says it shoots about three inches left at 17 yards, I say that should be close enough for me.

Feeling happy about this.

Another picture.

[Targets Guy]

I think you did very nicely. Well done.

[JP@AK]

That's a nice one, gunnails. A very good find in my opinion.

For what it's worth, I tend to shoot all my fixed sight S&W revolvers a little bit to the left. I've learned to adjust for it. If this one is shooting consistently four or five inches to the side, you might want to find out why. But if it's just an inch, it is probably the hold, not the gun.

[DWalt]

At $300, OK. I probably would not be tempted to go any higher. It does show some use. Dating is from the grips, that style was used throughout the 1920s. It is likely 1922-27. Provide a SN, and it can be dated a little more closely.

Is it missing a sideplate screw?