38 M&P?

[LMD]

I have revolver that belonged to my grandfather when he was in the police auxiliary during World War II. Trying to identify what model it is and year of manufacture. I believe it to be a 38 M&P but I have not seen one with the same front sight.

Type: Hand ejector. No model number on the yoke.
S/N: 655XXX on the butt.
CTG: 38 S&W Special
Barrel length: 6 inches
Sights: Hand Ejector Pre-War Adjustable
Strain screw: Yes
Butt swivel/lanyard: No
Screws: 5

 

[Sevens]

That is a thing of beauty, I would be thrilled to own that! I have a hole in my database where that serial number range is, I can only guess that it was possibly a 1936 production...?

I look forward to what the experts have to share. I think the finish looks awfully good -- this may not have been a revolver he actually carried on-person in a holster?

 

[LMD]

I think the finish looks awfully good -- this may not have been a revolver he actually carried on-person in a holster?

This revolver was what he carried. I have his complete kit (holster, belt, whistle, handcuffs, etc.) that he used. I have a suspicion that it is a target model based on the front sight. It has a very light trigger action as well. He may have purchased the revolver himself since he kept it after unit was disbanded.

 

[paplinker]

What a nice M&P Target!!

I have one 653365 Shipped 8-19-1936

It's my first prewar gun I ever bought. It got me liking the older guns.

Could we see a closeup of the front sight?

 

[DWalt]

It is the Target model of the .38 M&P. The major distinction is the presence of adjustable target sights, and they usually had 6" barrels. There were several variants of front sights available from the factory. The design of the rear sight was somewhat different from the Micro style used from 1940 onward. Yours would likely have been shipped around the mid-1930s. Target M&Ps were also available chambered in .32-20, and there were small numbers chambered in .32 S&W Long. At the time yours was made, S&W did not offer target stocks. Late in the 1930s one style of target hammer was available as an option, usually called "Humpback." It was intended for single action target shooting use.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a 38 Military & Police, 4th Change Target revolver that shipped around 1935-1936. There are no front sights found in a Bob Neal study of front sights that match that one. There were, however, many made by companies like Lyman and Marbles. There were also specials made by the S&W factory and a letter should identify it if done at S&W. Of course, anyone can make their own style front sight with the proper tools.

I doubt that gun was carried in a holster and certainly not on active duty as the walnut stocks will wear quickly on the strong arm side of the gun.

 

[LMD]

Could we see a closeup of the front sight?

Here is a closeup of the front sight.

 

[LMD]

I doubt that gun was carried in a holster and certainly not on active duty as the walnut stocks will wear quickly on the strong arm side of the gun.

I appreciate the information. The gun was carried by my grandfather in his role in the police auxiliary during WWII. I know this as fact because I shot the gun with him and we talked about it. He wasn't in uniform much in that capacity. They were only a unit that was used as necessary due to the manpower constraints on the regular police force because of the war, and he was an officer in that unit. Once the war was over, the unit was disbanded so he only served in that capacity for a short time, which may be why you don't see the wear you would be expected from a normal service revolver.

 

[4K2022]

I have a suspicion that it is a target model based on the front sight. It has a very light trigger action as well.

Yes a beautiful early Target, very nice. I want my triggers to hold the weight of the revolver. Cock the hammer, point the muzzle down and let the trigger hang the weight of the gun on your finger (does it trip?). Just a quick and simple way to get an idea of trigger pull, I like to be able to bounce it around a little on my finger.

And there is something special about those stocks, ??

 

[glowe]

. . . I want my triggers to hold the weight of the revolver. Cock the hammer, point the muzzle down and let the trigger hang the weight of the gun on your finger (does it trip?). Just a quick and simple way to get an idea of trigger pull, I like to be able to bounce it around a little on my finger.

. . . just make sure the chambers are empty!

 

[rct269]

Under the heading of "Close, but no cigar!", #659118 was shipped December 23, 1936-----to a railroad police officer. It, as this one, was a 6" target--single unit, special order. That which was special is a Marble Ivory Bead front sight---and it letters with that sight. It too looks like it came out of the box today-----never mind that makes no sense at all!!

My best knee-jerk SWAG says this one may very well also turn out to be a single unit, special order shipped to your grandfather. It's for damn sure worth the price of the letter to find out. (And besides that, the letter may very well shine some light on that front sight---and it could do with some light shined on it!!

Ralph Tremaine

If (IF!) the front sight is original----AND IF it cost extra, it will almost certainly be treated in the letter. Another IF you send off for a letter, send along a picture of the sight, and ask for their best guess as to what it is.

I don't expect such from you, but if that one lived here, that sight would have been off in about two seconds flat to see if was original (numbered to the gun).

It's all such as this that makes our little fetish so much fun-----or so maddeningly frustratingly anguishing!!

 

[Truckman]

That gun no doubt has more value attached to it as part of your family history than it would on the open market...But if that ever changes I'll be happy to provide my shipping address......Ben

 

[paplinker]

Here is a closeup of the front sight.

Thanks! As you are reading by now the front sight appears different than what we normally see. It may have came that way or its possible sometime later in life he had it changed and maybe had some trigger work done.

Did he ever shoot bullseye back in the day?

Does the gun fit in the holster very well at the tip? If not that might be a hint it was a later install.

Either way its a great gun and am happy for you that your grandfather felt you would be a worthy caretaker of something that was so personnel to him.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

If the OP's granddaddy joined the auxiliary in January 1942 and worked twice a week until VJ day, that wouldn't be that many shifts. I have a couple of blued handguns that I carried on duty for several years, each, and they still look pretty good.

 

[LMD]

Does the gun fit in the holster very well at the tip? If not that might be a hint it was a later install.

Attached is a photo of the gun in the holster he used for his auxiliary police work. It goes in easily and is secure. Unfortunately, the 80-year-old holster has not faired as well as the pistol. The belt I have with the holster is a shoulder strap belt typical of the time period.

 

[hkcavalier]

Definitely worth a letter, especially if you think he special ordered the gun. Agree that it probably didn't see a lot of hard use.

 

[glowe]

Definitely worth a letter, especially if you think he special ordered the gun. Agree that it probably didn't see a lot of hard use.

All family heirlooms should be lettered for future generations to read and appreciate.

 

[T112-4]

Not going to be of much help but I have a lettered 1905 4th 2in, S/N 625587 listed 19 Oct 1936. Might be of use for data base.

 

[murphydog]

Here is the link to the webpage for requesting the letter of authenticity (first one listed on the page):

swhistoricalfoundation.com/letter-process/

Regarding the front sight, it is very similar to the part fitted to an early post-war .38 M & P Target variation named the Mexican Model, so it might have been original to the gun. This image is from a closed auction in 2017.

 

[glowe]

IT is an interesting sight, but I have never seen a factory sight in that configuration. Two things are odd. First is the stepped down sight blade and second having it not match the full length of the base??