1932 USMC 6" .38 Model 1905 M&P Shipments

[Shootingmaster]

According to Charles Pate's book U.S. Handguns of World War II, pg. 91 in 1932 there were 1000 Smith & Wesson Model 1905 4th change revolvers shipped to the USMC. These guns had 6" barrels, blue finish and square butts. There was apparently two shipment dates March 3, 1932 and September 10, 1932. Mr. Pate lists a few serial numbers that were discovered by Roy Jinks during preparation for a factory letter for serial number 610542. Searching on the Forum I find no information on these revolvers. Am I looking in the wrong spots, is there a data base for these. The main reason I ask is that I requested a ship date for my 6" Model 1905 4th change serial 623817 and it came back as open on the records. Number 623817 does appear to fall within the serial number range of these revolvers that Pate lists. Also Pate does'nt state if these guns had lanyard rings or not. Any info on these USMC revolvers would be appreciated.

 

[mikepriwer]

The question you're asking is whether the contract was for a block of contiguous serial numbers, like the Army & Navy contracts of 1899, for example. I'm personally not aware of a block of serial numbers being set aside in 1932. If I were to guess, and its only a guess, I would think that, in 1932, with the depression starting, S&W had an excess of inventory, and was probably able to fill the contract with those guns. I don't know if this is what actually happened, but it would be an explanation for your gun being open on the records.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[DWalt]

To me, the real question would be why the USMC would
even want .38 revolvers in 1932.

 

[burneyr]

To me, the real question would be why the USMC would
even want .38 revolvers in 1932.

US Maritime Commission for port security or naval facilities?

 

[DWalt]

Nope. The Maritime Commission did not exist until 1936, and I am fairly sure they did not buy any revolvers until the Liberty Ship program began early in WWII, around 1940. The USMC in this case was the Marine Corps. I would think in 1932, the Marines had ample quantities of 1911s and 1917s to meet all handgun needs of the early 1930s. It would probably make an interesting story if someone wanted to dig into it. But not me.