confirm or deny information

[Morgan88]

Hello fellow cohorts, conspirators and such
I recently rode my motorcycle to Portland Oregon from Northern Indiana. My way back I was visiting every shop I came across I found something.
I had to do the ffl thing and don't have it yet so no pics.
The seller provided a piece of paper with information some other unknown person had come up with. If it is correct?

Smith and Wesson 38 special 3 screws showing.
The paperwork says serial number 339108* It says the asterisk means it has been back to the factory for service?
Date stamp of 3.51 under the grips means it went back to the factory in March of 1951?
The first 2 inch barrel Military and Police were produced in 1933 starting with ser.no. 597812. (The 2 inch barrel on this gun is a factory refit (March of 1951) The correct grips would be service grips with no medallion. This gun has target grips post 1968.
This gun correctly identified (by this unknown person)
Smith and Wesson model of 1905-4th change manufactured in 1919/1920 Refinished and refitted with a 2 inch barrel in March of 1951. Re-gripped sometime after 1968
Is it worth looking for the correct grips? Does anyone have any comments on the validity of the info this person provided?
When I looked at it in the store the finish was very nice. Love the snubbies even if it is a re-fit.

NOTE. On the actual sales receipt it calls it a Combat Masterpiece 15. Does that make sense with the above info?

 

[29aholic]

Yep star means a trip
Yep said trip was March 51
Yep I would look for the grips purely for cool factor

 

[TAROMAN]

As its not correct and rebuilt, any stocks should do.
I would probably find some '50s era diamond Magnas and call it good.

 

[H Richard]

I'd bet it was also refinished when the barrel was changed in 51. Sounds plausible, and if you got it for less than $400 or so you probably got a good deal.

 

[s&wchad]

I'm glad you made it home safely and found a treasure.

Your tale made me laugh!

Don't expect an FFL to have the same knowledge of S&W's that you'll find here. It sounds like he was trying to cross his "T's" and dot his "I's", but he really muddied the waters.

The star and date stamp have nothing to do with the serial number. They're factory rework marks.

I wouldn't worry, unless the guns doesn't arrive within the next day or two.

Post photo's when you get out of jail.
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(kidding!!!!)

 

[DWalt]

That SN would put shipment around mid-1920. Regarding correct grips, there are none, as your gun did not exist in its present form then. However, correct grips for an M&P at that time would be checkered diamond round tops, with no medallion. If I had it, I'd probably put a pair of sharp-shoulder diamond Magnas on it, correct for the period when the barrel was presumably replaced. Look on eBay. The factory did not use the Model of 1905, etc., nomenclature in its advertising in 1920. It's just an M&P.
______________
These are sharp shoulder diamond Magnas:

 

[murphydog]

It is a fair but not 100% certain assumption that the star and date stamp mean a refinish and/or a barrel swap. If you see an R-B or R-S on the left lower grip frame that would confirm the (blue) refinish, and if the barrel is numbered to the frame SN that makes the barrel change fairly certain. If neither then there is no way to be sure; the factory repair records are not accessible for this type of information.

 

[raljr1]

There is a seller on ebay who has 20 pairs of K frame grips for sale obviously some are better than others said they would work for your gun

 

[Chukar60]

Need Grips

Is the gun a square or round butt frame? If that was stated in the thread I missed it. Guess if you go with the theory 1902 RB / 1905 SB it would be a SB frame. If that is the case I have a set of what I believe would be period correct round top convex grips that I will send you.
The grips came on a circa 1903-04 target HE that I bought and are not correct. I found a beautiful set of Keith Brown Heritage concave grips for the gun and the convex need to find a proper gun to call home. they are in very serviceable condition with no cracks, chips or major dings in them. checkering is rounded a bit. take a look at the pics. if you want them, they are yours for the asking.
PM me and let me know.

 

[mikepriwer]

Everything is consistent, except for the designation as a Model 15. Its what it always
was - an M&P from about 1920. Having a replaced barrel doesn't change the name of
the gun. Depending on the butt configuration, its either a M&P Round Butt, or an
M&P Square Butt.

1920 is a turning-point for the grips. From 1910 to 1920 the grips were gold medallions.
From 1920 to 1930, they were convex non-medallions. Either pair would be period-
correct.

Mike Priwer

 

[Morgan88]

I have picked up the piece in question and have it in my grubby little hands. I am thrilled,ecstatic,jubilant with it. It is in beautiful shape.IMHO it hasn't been fired since the refinishing and new barrel. All serial numbers match the frame.yeeeeeeehawwwwww!

 

[Morgan88]

You are correct. This is not a model 15 but a pre-model 10. Square but target grips in perfect condition. Some have suggested I hold off on getting the original grips. I may find out I like these.

 

[murphydog]

I have picked up the piece in question and have it in my grubby little hands. I am thrilled,ecstatic,jubilant with it. It is in beautiful shape.IMHO it hasn't been fired since the refinishing and new barrel. All serial numbers match the frame.yeeeeeeehawwwwww!

Good for you, a factory refurbished gun. Enjoy!

 

[DWalt]

You are correct. This is not a model 15 but a pre-model 10. Square but target grips in perfect condition. Some have suggested I hold off on getting the original grips. I may find out I like these.

It's not a pre-Model 10. That collector term applies to those M&Ps made after the change from long action to short action was made in 1948.

 

[Morgan88]

Argggg! What is the correct name then?

 

[mikepriwer]

Military & Police Square Butt.

 

[Morgan88]

Cool, keep it simple

Mike
Thanks for the short and sweet answer. I would add photos but my computer went South and I don't know how from my phone.

 

[Chukar60]

I hope you enjoy it. I bought my first HE not too long ago. The group here was invaluable with the knowledge and experience they gave me. Mine is now the favorite in the herd and the one I most like to shoot. One of the best things about the old M&P's. most are not worth a kings ransom so if mechanically sound, you don't feel bad about shooting it ALOT.

 

[Morgan88]

Right side up photos confirm or deny

For those of you that don't like standing on your head. Sheeeeeze.
Yes the grips are large. It came that way.some have suggested other options but I think I will shoot it first. Then decide

 

[DWalt]

For those of you that don't like standing on your head. Sheeeeeze.
Yes the grips are large. It came that way.some have suggested other options but I think I will shoot it first. Then decide

It may have come that way from somewhere, but not the S&W factory.

 

[Morgan88]

For some reason

DWalt
I looked at your pic above this morning (of the revolver) and it jumped out at me. The Diamond Magnas look better in proportion. Thanks to you and all for the great help and guidance.


I sent e-mail to S&W and ask about getting a brand new from the factory model 10 snubbie. Said they don't make them. I assume that is because they believe the market isn't there? Does anyone else want to speculate? Ha ha

 

[Wiregrassguy]

If you want an all-original model 10 snubby, there are plenty available on the aftermarket. I have a couple of post-war snubbies that I picked up locally. One is an M&P and the other is a pre-Model 10. I once owned a nickel snub that was modified like the one in your picture. It looked pretty good but had a later model barrel with a ramped sight on a 1920's frame. This is what it looked like:

 

[JCWonW]

Is this offer still available? (The grip offer above from CHUKAR 60) Thank You. John. [email protected]