38 S&W Military & Police 1st Model 1899

[mojave30cal]

Hello all. Looking at an early M&P 1st Model. As I understand
it, models of this revolver made before serial number 7300
did not have a caliber marking on the left side of the barrel.
The serial number is marked on the barrel. Is that the only
place to find the serial number on the earlier M&P 1st Models?

 

[glowe]

Few places to look are rear of cylinder, inside right stock, butt, and barrel flat. Yes around serial number 7000 was when they started adding the caliber and later "SMITH & WSSON" to the barrel. I have often wondered if that serial number might have coincided with the first manufacture of the 32 Winchester so as not to confuse the two guns??

 

[rct269]

Well, having never even looked at one up close, I'll go on anyway!

Given they finished these things in pieces, I reckon you'll find one on the butt-----I reckon that pretty much for sure, and if there isn't one there, look on the side of the grip frame----one side or the other---also on the cylinder ------and well as the barrel. Next (maybe, maybe not) on the inside of the sideplate---which may be the assembly number instead---which, if so, the matching numbers will be on the yoke, and on the frame inside the yoke recess. SO--------------------- frame/cylinder/barrel should cover it for sure.

If there isn't one on the frame, then there's likely to be trouble brewing with the Feds sooner or later---depending on when they got fussy about serial numbers---and I don't know when that was. I do know there was one on the butt of each of the four NM #3's I had, and they came looooooooong before the M&P.

Ralph Tremaine