Could use help identifying older 38 w/no model number

[Cloudminder]

Hello all, this is my first post here. I'm hoping I am in the right place and have included all the important info to avoid a game of 20 questions. If not, let me know and I'll do what needs to be done. All right, here we go:

I recently inherited an older 38 special and I was hoping to learn a little about it. Photos attached.

So, the basics; hand ejector, no Model#, 38 Special, 4" barrel, fixed sights, SN# C 52XXX

I'm curious as to the model number/name (is there is one) and its approx age. I know the records often refer to when it was shipped as opposed to when it was made. And I know it's looking a little rough right now, grandpa was a great guy, but he wasn't the most diligent cleaner around. Giving it a good cleaning is on my To Do List.

I would like to point out that the SN only has 5 digits, and most of the ones I've seen around here on the boards have 6. I'm guessing that's an indicator that it might be a little older than "mid-sixties" I was led to believe it was from. But, that's not really my wheelhouse, I'll leave that to those more knowledgeable than I.

I am curious what anyone might say about the grip panels. I'd like to get a set that are at least correct for its age. I'm hoping by finding out its model/age, I would know if I should get a set of the ones with the diamond or not. Anybody here that could point me the right direction of that would be helpful. Probably doesn't matter much, but I like the history of these kind of things.

Any information would be appreciated, historical or otherwise.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the help. This group seems to have a lot of knowledge and I am glad I now have something I can chime in about.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Your Grandpa's gun is a .38 Military & Police Revolver from 1949. It's a bit older than what you were led to believe. At the time it was made, S&W did not have model numbers. In 1957, S&W began calling these M&P revolvers the Model 10. The homemade grips on it are nice but it should be wearing "sharp shouldered magnas" with black medallion washers. See the M&P below for an example.

At some point in its life, your M&P was heavily corroded and was refinished. Some of the corrosion was not polished out before the finish was applied. Nevertheless, it is still a decent shooter and one of the most popular revolvers ever made. Enjoy!

 

[JP@AK]

I will add my greeting to Guy's: Welcome to the S&W Forum.

Guy is correct. Your grandfather's revolver almost certainly left the factory in 1949. I show two with nearby serial numbers that shipped in March of that year. 1948 shipments ended at about C44000.

The stocks shown on his 2" unit would be correct for your M&P.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. There is no pitting anywhere except under what was another set of older stocks. My guess is that they could well have been either pearl of rubber, since those are most often the culprits of excess corrosion on the butt frame. There are also reports of some imported walnut that contained salts being used, but I do not recall what era those came to be.

I highly recommend that you get a set of those high shoulder original style stocks as Guy posted. You will notice that the early "Magna" stocks had what was called a sharp shoulder at the top. Later issues had heavily rounded tops, and even later styles eliminated the diamond around the screws. Keep watching ebay, since your proper style Magnas
do come up for sale often. They will also cover the heavy corroded area, making the gun look much better!

 

[Cloudminder]

Thanks!

Wow, quick responses and thorough too! Thank you all for your information about its age, and advice regarding the stocks. I've already got a bid in on a set thanks to your tips.
And thank you for making me feel welcomed.