38 Special-1940's ???

[dfayad]

1. Hand Ejector 1896-1961
2. S863XXX
3. 38 Special CTG
4. 5 inch barrel
5. Fixed sight

Four screw (has upper sideplate screw)

What is the worth? I would like to trade it for something to conceal.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi
You have a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver that probably shipped from the factory in February, 1947. It appears to be all original. I would put the value at or very near $500 for one in this condition.
The S prefix M&P revolvers were only made for about two years - Spring, 1946, until about Spring, 1948.

 

[Art Doc]

I think it's a transitional model M&P made 1946-48 using pre-war parts. Nice Magna stocks. The 5" barrel is uncommon. Looks good. Just the gun, no box? I couldn't guess at value. But it's a nice one. Someone will happily swap you a 2" Model 10 or Model 36 for it.

 

[JP@AK]

BTW - it actually has five frame screws. One is hiding under the right stock panel.

 

[JP@AK]

I have to disagree about the 5" barrel. I've been collecting data on these for quite some time and have cataloged nearly 600 examples. Preliminary data indicate the 5" barrel is likely the second-most common, next to the 4". The 2" and 6" seem to show up much less often.
Of course I admit that 600 samples out of approximately 188,000 is far from being definitive, but since it is a random sample, I think the data trend is indicative.

 

[murphydog]

Good information above. A nice one to keep, given you can find current production S & W J frames in the $350 range.

 

[Art Doc]

I don't keep records. I only speak from experience and observation. I see mostly 4" M&Ps from this period, then 6" versions, and then rarely the 5". I don't think I've ever seen a 2" transitional M&P. If my experience doesn't jive with production numbers, se la vie.

 

[JP@AK]

Agreed, SP. We all speak from our own experience. In this particular case, I seem to have more experience than lots of others (on the S prefix M&Ps) because I've been engaged in some significant research on them. They fascinate me and I hope to acquire enough evidence to write a history of the period at some point.
Here is a picture of a square butt 2" S prefix revolver. The snub version was available with either round or square butt. I'm not sure at this point, but I suspect there were more round butt examples made than square butt. At least more have shown up so far and they were assembled in batches.

 

[DWalt]

As stated, it is a correct postwar M&P (I cannot bring myself to call it a transitional) from early 1947, in very good condition. As previously stated, there were relatively few S-series M&Ps made, fewer than 200,000, so there is a slight scarcity factor. The S prefix to the serial number indicates that it is equipped with an improved hammer drop safety design.

I'd say you should be able to make an even trade fairly easily for something you like better priced in the $400-$500 range. I can't comment about the distribution of M&P barrel lengths during this period, beyond saying that 4" seems to be the most often seen.

 

[dfayad]

No box...in my family for years. I am a novice. I have fired the pistol...very nice.

 

[JP@AK]

Good! It was made to be fired. Enjoy it, clean it regularly (after each use) and it will last you a lifetime.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Nice old M&P!

 

[vytoland]

if i may.....my M&P 2", S serial numbered S&W revolver..........

 

[Jack Flash]

... there were relatively few S-series M&Ps made, fewer than 200,000, so there is a slight scarcity factor. ...

Is that figure correct? It amazes me that 200,000 of any firearm would qualify it as being scarce, however slightly so.

 

[italiansport]

What would be the correct box for one of the S examples like the one that started this thread?
Jim

 

[Erich]

I had a nice 5" 1947 S-prefix like the one in the original post. Just yesterday I was vaguely ruing having traded it off a few years back . . .

 

[JP@AK]

What would be the correct box for one of the S examples like the one that started this thread?
Jim

Most likely the two piece maroon type. Later S prefix M&Ps shipped in the gold boxes. Here's a pic of a maroon box that shipped in the Spring of '46.

 

[JP@AK]

It amazes me that 200,000 of any firearm would qualify it as being scarce, however slightly so.

Jack
I think the "scarcity" is relative to the total number of .38 M&P revolvers made from 1899 to the present. I believe a more accurate number is around 188,000 unless you count the SV prefix, which I think should be treated separately. I doubt we will ever know the exact number produced with the S prefix but I'm hoping my research will get us closer to an accurate estimate. In 1945-46, there was considerable overlap in serial numbers between guns marked with an SV and those marked with a simple S.

S prefix guns are certainly not "rare." But, of course, no one is claiming that.

Cheers!

 

[DWalt]

Another way to look at it. There were about 1 Million K-frame revolvers made between 1899 and 1942. About 810,000 were made in the V and SV series. Another Million were made in the C-series, another Million in the K-series and a Million more were made in the D-series, not counting all those made with the newer SN system after about 1970. Therefore, among all those K-frame revolvers made since 1899, and I'll guess that number could be over 7 million, those approximate 200,000 in the S-series may not be rare in the strictest sense of the word, but they represent only about 2% to 3% of all K-frames made. I think it does make the "scarce" characterization appropriate.

 

[apadilla1973]

Here's what i found on these.. i have one as well..
this is actually a 5 screw.. there's one under the grip as well..

Post-War S Series K Frames:

S811,120 – S999,999…….1946 – 48


hope this helps. Al

lol.. i see you guys covered very well.. i didn't see the comments until after i registered!!!