date request

[OLDSTER]

Hi guys. Can anyone nail the year of manufacture down for me ? M&P SN S872388. I believe prior to April 1948 ( has long throw hammer) but hoping it is in 1947. Thanks in advance for your input

 

[ken158]

Looks to be too many numbers in your serial - check it again and provide a model / pre model description of gun.

 

[OLDSTER]

Looks to be too many numbers in your serial - check it again and provide a model / pre model description of gun.

Thank you for your reply SN S followed by 6 numerals should be correct for the M&P K frame, fixed sight 1946 to 1948 range

 

[DWalt]

The closest SN I have listed to S872388 is S8744xx which shipped in 2/47. The earliest 1947 shipment I list is S8680xx, in 1/47. Given that there will be at least several months time lapsing between manufacture and shipment from inventory, it is likely yours was assembled sometime in late 1946.

 

[OLDSTER]

Date request

The closest SN I have listed to S872388 is S8744xx which shipped in 2/47. The earliest 1947 shipment I list is S8680xx, in 1/47. Given that there will be at least several months time lapsing between manufacture and shipment from inventory, it is likely yours was assembled sometime in late 1946.

Thank you Dewalt. That info works for me

 

[JSR III]

My S937988 shipped 9/9/1947 and S955509 shipped 11/1947.

Barring a shipping fluke, I would guess yours shipped around February 1947.

In the two examples above it works out to about 8750 per month. S937988 to S873388 represents about 64600 firearms or based on 8750 per month about 7 months production.

Again this is merely a WAG based on the serial numbers and as we all know, nothing with S&W's is ever an exact science.

 

[OLDSTER]

My S937988 shipped 9/9/1947 and S955509 shipped 11/1947.

Barring a shipping fluke, I would guess yours shipped around February 1947.

In the two examples above it works out to about 8750 per month. S937988 to S873388 represents about 64600 firearms or based on 8750 per month about 7 months production.

Again this is merely a WAG based on the serial numbers and as we all know, nothing with S&W's is ever an exact science.

Thank you JSRIII Your info along with Dewalts gives me what I need

 

[JP@AK]

VIS35
I have your 4" revolver already recorded in my database. Most of the guns in that serial range left the factory in February, 1947. However, there are a few fliers with nearby serial numbers; one went out in April, one in August and one in September. None of this is surprising, given the "system" that S&W used (stick them in the vault when completed, let the shipping department pull them when they are ordered).

However, the postwar M&P was a steady seller. You won't go far wrong if you assume shipment happened in about February, 1947. James' calculations work out about right, being roughly consistent with my rather extensive database on these 1946-48 revolvers. But do keep in mind his admonition that such calculations cannot always be relied upon as the examples I gave above illustrate.

BTW - in my database, I show several M&P revolvers with lower serial numbers than the one mentioned by DWalt that left the factory in January & February, 1947. They go down at least to S861xxx.

 

[JP@AK]

One question about S872388. I show it as having a nickel finish. Have you been able to determine whether the nickel is the original factory finish? There were some factory nickel guns in the S867xxx to S875xxx range, but I've also found some in that span that were refinished in nickel. I have yours in my spreadsheet as a question mark, so apparently whenever I acquired that data the source was unsure. If you could clear this up, I would be grateful. It would save me from having to ask Roy to check the factory records on this one.
Thanks.

 

[OLDSTER]

Date request

One question about S872388. I show it as having a nickel finish. Have you been able to determine whether the nickel is the original factory finish? There were some factory nickel guns in the S867xxx to S875xxx range, but I've also found some in that span that were refinished in nickel. I have yours in my spreadsheet as a question mark, so apparently whenever I acquired that data the source was unsure. If you could clear this up, I would be grateful. It would save me from having to ask Roy to check the factory records on this one.
Thanks.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. There is no "star" anywhere on the gun. And, of course the hammer and trigger are still in case color. The "N" is stamped on the cylinder near the charging holes opposite the SN, and next to the SN under the barrel. Hope this helps. I would like to send you some photos, but do not have possession of the gun yet

 

[JP@AK]

With the N in both of those locations, the nickel is probably original. When you get it, check under the stocks on the left side of the grip frame. There might be an N there also.
If you want to post pictures of both sides here when you have possession of it, that would be great.
Thanks!

 

[DWalt]

Yes, guns with original factory nickel will have the capital N stamped on the rear surface of the cylinder and the left side of the grip frame. Sometimes on the barrel. I don't actually know what locations are typical for different time periods. Without at least one N stamped somewhere, original plating is doubtful.

 

[OLDSTER]

Nickle M&P and date

Thanks guys for all your help I'll most certainly post some photos here when I receive the gun

 

[OLDSTER]

M&P SN S 872388

With the N in both of those locations, the nickel is probably original. When you get it, check under the stocks on the left side of the grip frame. There might be an N there also.
If you want to post pictures of both sides here when you have possession of it, that would be great.
Thanks!

These are the photos of M&P SN S 872388 as promised.
Thanks
John

 

[JP@AK]

Hi
See my Post #8 above on the date issue.

I'm not surprised that this one has original nickel. I show several in that serial range and time frame that received the nickel finish.

Thanks for the pictures!