38 M&P POST WAR PRE-MODEL 10 ROUND BUTT

[SAFireman]

Well....since y'all posted some photos....here are two of mine. Neither is post-war, and I haven't the faintest idea about the latch.

 

[Karl J]

Thanks for all the great information so far. I guess based on all the tribal knowledge I've seen on this subject, this gun most likely was fitted with a flat latch thumbpiece and bolt from "somewhere" after it left the factory. I was hoping there would be at least 1 other example like this but since the thumbpiece in question didnt appear until 1951 and my example may have shipped in 1949, the thought that this was a factory supplied part is pretty much speculation. I still like the looks of it with this thumbpiece and it will reside in my collection for that reason alone.
One more question, are there any records available regarding when the flat thumbpiece was introduced or are the dates I am seeing here based on observed examples over the years. I guess we'll see when I get it lettered if there is any more history to add to this model.

 

[glowe]

. . . One more question, are there any records available regarding when the flat thumbpiece was introduced or are the dates I am seeing here based on observed examples over the years. I guess we'll see when I get it lettered if there is any more history to add to this model.

See post #14. There were two styles of thumb-latches, with the first being narrow that started around 1951 and the second being wider as you have. The wider thumb-latch was introduced near the time when the top side-plate screw was eliminated in 1955. If you have a copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, you can see the two types on page 170.

Personally, I like the more substantial looking thumb-latch better than the flat-latch, since to me the flat-latches look kind of cheap compared to the earlier raised and rounded latches. The parts to change them out are not hard to find and easy to install, putting the gun back to factory configuration. If you want a flat latch gun, look for an Airweight or a 2" I frame post-WWII snub-nose.

 

[Igiveup]

Just another wonderful educational post.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I don’t have it handy to get the SN but believe it’s from 1948.

 

[mh51]

I've got C713xx that shipped 9/50. It has the conventional latch, but still has the prewar style stocks with the sharp borders on the checkering. All numbers match.

 

[turnerriver]

I donated an Evaluators Ltd. Stock Record Book to the SWHF. It contained 9 pages listing 180 plus revolvers, mostly K-38 6” revolvers.
There were 3 M&P 2” revolvers in the listings-
C86717 sold to a patrolman in the Denver Police Dept.
C68111 shipped to a USMC PFC in Quantico.
C91607 shipped to the Air Force OSI.
The records ran from July 1949-Jan. 11 1950.
Regards,

 

[RKmesa]

Very interesting thread. Here is C314516 that shipped in 10/54... It has all the "normal" hardware and grips.

 

[handejector]

Also, the frame has the hole for the lanyard ring lock pin access.

Just FYI-
That hole has nothing to do with a swivel (lanyard ring). Roy says it is a jig hole used when machining the frame. It appeared after WW II and the method was abandoned and the hole disappears a few years later.


I doubt your gun shipped with the flat latch. Perhaps the stud on the original broke and the original thumb piece was lost. When the gunsmith ordered hew parts, he might have ordered the wrong ones, or maybe the Factory shipped the wrong ones. I doubt you'll ever know for sure how this came to be.

 

[Karl J]

Lee, thank you for your clarification on the hole in the frame. When I read that sentence, on page 168 of the 4th edition of the SCSW, I wondered why a hole in the side of the frame could be used for a lanyard ring. It did confuse me since all of the revolvers I've ever seen had the lanyard ring on the bottom of the frame. But alas, we learn something new every day.

I guess I'll just leave the flat thumbpiece and bolt the way they are. It is an appealing look in my opinion, and it works.

Karl...

 

[Waveski]

I would certainly leave that flat latch in place.
It is quite distinctive.

 

[merl67]

Oh great thanks guys now I am shall we say lusting after a round butt late 40's early 50's K frame 2 inch. In all seriousness nice bunch of snubbies shown in this thread...

 

[Jimmyjones]

Pre-Model 10 2" RB Sn C3148xx

 

[Karl J]

These are my other two M&P's which I referenced in post#1.

 

[younggun22]

Oh great thanks guys now I am shall we say lusting after a round butt late 40's early 50's K frame 2 inch. In all seriousness nice bunch of snubbies shown in this thread...

I have 2 square butt and I’m still looking for a round butt variation …