Age Estimate on Early 2" M&P

[slight_turn_line_69]

That's for sure. I have seen exactly 4, 2"-barrel, S prefix revolvers for sale in the past 2 years. 2 of those were real junkers.

My crummy database is not nearly as complete as yours, but I offer some additional 6" data points of guns I have observed. I do not own any of these guns.

S814xxx, Blue, 6", wrong grips.
S819037, Nickel, 6", refinished (*), pre war service grips.
S819968, Blue, 6", pre war magnas, customized like a pre war M&P target?
S820116, Blue, 6", Maroon box, pre war magna grips w/machined circles. WOW!!! WOW-WOW-WOW!!!
S820222, Blue, 6"
S820280, Blue, 6", No "S" on barrel flat or cylinder, no orig grip.
S871603, Blue, 6", Barrel nut ejector, wrong grips.
S871757, Blue, 6", Barrel nut ejector.
S874756, 6", Nickel, knurled ejector rod, wrong grips.
S908778, Blue, 6", nice,
S909586, Blue, 6".
S91124x, Blue, 6", knurled ejector rod.
S924601, Blue, 6", Knurled, non matching later DC magnas.
S927090, Blue, 6", fake stag grips.
S928006, Blue, 6", Nice gun.
S928588, Blue, 6"
S928709, Blue, 6"
S942931, Refinished nickel, 6".
S944885, Blue, 6", Kings Super Target conversion w/Sanderson stocks. ($4000!)
S945000, Blue, 6".
S986322, Nickel, 6", 4 line address, short throw(fish hook) hammer.

In support of this statement, I supply the following information drawn from the approximately 15,000 units in my early postwar M&P database:

Various barrel lengths and grip configuration from most common to least common:
4" square butt
5" square butt
2" square butt
6" square butt
2" round butt

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks slight_turn_line_69.

I'll check these against my database in case some of them don't appear there.

 

[SmithNut]

Here's some more for the database

M & P SV771362 5", SB, Service grips, Rare transition gun
M & P SV812480 4", SB, Pre-war Magnas (#'d), Blue
M & P S821919 5", 90%, no box, Transition gun, pre-war parts
M & P S830800 2", SB, Blue, 96%, no box
M & P S855897 5", 95%, no box - Transition gun, pre-war parts
M & P S861363 4", 96%, no box
M & P S905844 5", 95%, no box
M & P S946183 6", 99%, SB, Blue, no box, nice gun!!
M & P C58140 5", 97/98%, Round Butt, Transition grips, !!
M & P C63620 2", RB, Blue - 99%, gold box (not nmbrd to gun)
M & P C117267 6", SB, Blue, Orig grips, 95%, no box
M & P C128871 4", RB, Orig grips, ANIB, Cool gun!
M & P C202828 4", SB, Original grips, nice gun
M & P C318817 6", SB, Original grips, ramp front sight option
M & P C320562 2", 99%, SB, VERY nice gun
M & P C345364 2", 99%, SB, original box, grips, NICE GUN!
M & P C353137 2", SB, 97%, Box, Blue - nice 4 screw gun
M & P C414782 4", 4 screw gun, 94%

 

[jscott]

I miss the days when a 2" .38 was enough.

 

[Crazybuldr]

Just got this one today

 

[Crazybuldr]

Just got today

 

[boykinlp]

Just got today

Awesome, Crazybuldr! Did it come with the grips? They look great to me, are the real?
Larry

 

[pasound]

My 2" blued M&P is C124xxx, and shipped 8/14/1950 according to Roy's letter. It birthed exactly one month before me.

 

[boykinlp]

Here is my nickel 2" M&P C44111. I also have it's blued litter mate C44104, but it is my well used "Detective" gun.
Larry

 

[NavySCPO]

Another 1950

For what it's worth, C1029XX shipped 3/1950, same year I shipped (dropped?)…Does that make me a Drop Shipment?

 

[Crazybuldr]

Yes the did

 

[Crazybuldr]

Awesome, Crazybuldr! Did it come with the grips? They look great to me, are the real?
Larry

Yes they did

 

[Elroy]

You guys seem to like pictures. To close this out for me. I snapped a few final pictures in fully clean condition, prior to the range.

 

[RKmesa]

You guys seem to like pictures. To close this out for me. I snapped a few final pictures in fully clean condition, prior to the range.

Elroy:

That is a beauty!!! Nice job on the polishing. Did you use Mothers Mag Polish?

Here is C314516, a blued, RB 2" M&P that shipped in October 1954:

 

[Elroy]

Well ya can't say it was never shot. That's 50 rounds of soot

 

[TLflag]

M & P

Another M & P Blue, Square Butt, 2" barrel, all matching including stocks, C102724

 

[JP@AK]

Another M & P Blue, Square Butt, 2" barrel, all matching including stocks, S102724

That can't be right. Please look again at the serial number. There were never any M&Ps with the S prefix and that low a number. They started at about S811000 (continuing the V prefix number sequence from the WWII period).

 

[newtonguitars]

I will add my 2" M&P Blue, SB, later stocks, C127596
Blue is fading, I believe this gun has been carried, but shot very little if at all. I love old stuff!

 

[pasound]

My 2" is C124488, shipped August 1950, so yours may be 1950 as well.

 

[Elroy]

Six 38 S&W vs. 38 Special

Seems you guys like pictures. Here's a few pics for your viewing enjoyment. A early colt six shot Bankers' Special in 38 S&W next to the six shot, post war M&P of the OP.

 

[dpast32]

OMG, What an absolutely gorgeous early Post-War M & P !! One of Revolvers that I regret selling is the 2" Rd Butt Model 10 I had my Cousin purchase for me a month before I entered my Academy. I wasn't turning 21 until January, & we bought it in early December 1979. How I miss the particular Gun. It was N.I.B. & still possessed the S&W fit, finish & action of the older variants. Sadly though, after lugging it around for a summer or two, I in.my infinite wisdom decided I needed something lighter & traded it in towards an abominable AMC .380, which jammed after every 2 rounds, & on the 3rd round the Grips cracked !! I admit, I was indeed a product of my times, & at that time the .380's was 'the BUG', at least in my area anyway. Yet, all these years later I still lament parting with that beautiful 'little' Model 10 !! I would probably grab another if they hadn't risen up to ridiculous prices these days. Oh well, at least I have my 2" & 3" J DAO's, but there's just 'something' about those 2" M&Pls !!

Best, Dom P.