38 M&P, So Many Red Flags

[Retired W4]

The mechanics, timing, lock up, and one of the nicest DA trigger pulls around all made me ignore the obvious signs of a re-finish. Let's start out with the high polish. Not exactly standard in 1950. The condition of the wood (numbered to the gun) Vs. condition of the rest of the gun. At first I thought the stocks came from pre-war inventory but I'm not sure. Side plate seams are fair but that flat head screw above the stocks was likely not original. The story that came with the gun was pretty interesting. "Buy the gun, not the story." I will defer speaking to that until after I get a letter.

Sorry about the poor pictures but I think you get the point. I just really like the early post-war M&P's so I bought it regardless of the deficiencies.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Looks good to me. The stocks are are post War. Pre-war stocks would have had sharp Corners around the checkering.

 

[boykinlp]

The mechanics, timing, lock up, and one of the nicest DA trigger pulls around all made me ignore the obvious signs of a re-finish. Let's start out with the high polish. Not exactly standard in 1950. The condition of the wood (numbered to the gun) Vs. condition of the rest of the gun. At first I thought the stocks came from pre-war inventory but I'm not sure. Side plate seams are fair but that flat head screw above the stocks was likely not original. The story that came with the gun was pretty interesting. "Buy the gun, not the story." I will defer speaking to that until after I get a letter.

Sorry about the poor pictures but I think you get the point. I just really like the early post-war M&P's so I bought it regardless of the deficiencies.

Very Nice Pickup! I know what you mean about really liking the early post-war M&P’s. I had four square butt guns, but couldn’t find a round butt one. I finally found one, and it shipped in 1949 and came with pre-war grips.
Larry

 

[AlHunt]

Doesn't look reblued to me. Did you notice that your fingers are reflected on the left side, right above the trigger? Looks like wear, damage, something, at first glance.

 

[glowe]

All that snub-nosed revolver needs a new set of screws - simple fix for your issue.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Depending on the price asked I would have seriously considered that one myself. And I already have one.

 

[DWalt]

Not so early, as it has the new short action. Judging from the pictures it does not appear to be refinished. For an extra charge S&W would perform a high polish bright blue finish instead of the original satin blue finish.

 

[Retired W4]

Doesn't look reblued to me. Did you notice that your fingers are reflected on the left side, right above the trigger? Looks like wear, damage, something, at first glance.

It is a reflection.

 

[Gun Relics]

It looks like a fine example.

If I were looking at this with no background info, I would question the finish too but I'm not sure it would matter to me. The "Made in the USA" looks polished out. The cylinder looks over polished as does the barrel and other edges. If you look at boykinlp's gun, all the edges are crisp and sharp, but W4's has a rounded off look. Also, it's not a consistent high polish over the entire gun. (The inconsistency could be from holster wear, chemicals or touch up blue).

I don't think you can definitively say it's not been refinished, but I think you cannot say it's definitely been refinished. My bet would be it has been. In demand refinished guns have a market too, it just narrows down the buyers.

 

[Retired W4]

The back story on this one is it came from the estate of a retired FBI agent. That's not why I bought it but my letter request went out yesterday. What drew me to this one is, 1: I wanted a 2" RB and 2: the DA/SA trigger is exquisite. Time will tell.

 

[Major 2]

I'm afraid I would have been drawn to it like moth to a light bulb too.

 

[H Richard]

You are not alone, I found it hard to pass up a 2" K frame.

 

[gwpercle]

Call it a shooter ... You need shooters !
You can shoot it and don't have to worry about messing up the finish ...
You know what Louisiana Swamp People say ...
... Choot 'Em ... Choot .Em !!!
Everybody Needs a Chooter ... you did good !

Gary

 

[Retired W4]

It's on my list of guns to shoot. The list is getting longer. I plan on putting some 200 grain Super Police through it just for fun but I think some 158 gr. lead SWC HP's would be perfect in it.

 

[Bayou52]

Looks very nice, OP!

Here’s my Dad’s 1951 vintage M&P which he bought new in 1951 and which has not been modified in any way:

 

[walkin' trails]

There are many reasons to collect gun, not just being pristine, “screw-matching” specimens. Someone’s working gun had a character all of its own. That’s worth preserving and shooting.

 

[KenTheHunter]

Very Nice Pickup! I know what you mean about really liking the early post-war M&P’s. I had four square butt guns, but couldn’t find a round butt one. I finally found one, and it shipped in 1949 and came with pre-war grips.
Larry

View attachment 773973View attachment 773974

What makes you think it’s a reblue ? It looks to me like the lettering, monogram and other markings are sharp and crisp. I don’t see rounded edges. Looks like a nice piece.

 

[Goony]

I can see easily enough why it's suspect as to originality of the finish. I also have an example of these earlier postwar M&P snubnoses. One of my faves.

 

[Frailer]

While I have deep affection for all 2” S&Ws, those from the decade following the War have a special place in my heart.

This one shipped to the LA County Sheriff’s Dept in 1951.

 

[Retired W4]

My SB example, SN: C188067 is like a museum piece. It was shipped July 6, 1951 to a hardware store right here in Hot 'lanta. The gun pictured in the first post is C 153533 so I'm thinking somewhere around mid-1950 for a ship date.