Early Post War Transition M&P find...

[victorylarry]

I just received this one off of an add on GA. This one has all the characteristics of a very early post WWII transition m&p including the fine checkering transition magnas, long action, pre war ejector knob, and one line Made in USA. It also has the lanyard hold filled AND the "S" on the side plate which is covered by the grips (left over Victory). Serial # is the S810k range. Now if I can just find a 5" in original nickel...

 

[victorylarry]

I just received this one off of an add on GA. This one has all the characteristics of a very early post WWII transition m&p including the fine checkering transition magnas, long action, pre war ejector knob, and one line Made in USA. It also has the lanyard hold filled AND the "S" on the side plate which is covered by the grips (left over Victory). Serial # is the S810k range. Now if I can just find a 5" in original nickel...

 

[smith17]

Exceptionally nice find, Larry.
Ed

 

[Lee Barner]

larry, got to love those early post war guns. i've it's brother, S815889, a four inch, but not quite as nice as yours. congrats and thanks for sharing. lee

 

[Guest]

Larry; Very nice but don't you have this Posted in the Wrong Section for such a "Late" gun???

Mike

 

[victorylarry]

Mike,
I'm embarassed to say that I did not even notice it until you told me. You are right! It is pretty close though. Maybe we need a seperate transition section on the forum

.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hi Larry:

Another very nice piece there. Congratulations.

Although they are technically not Victory Models, we do include a few low number S-prefix guns in our Victory Database. We do so because the immediate post-war guns are really just left over Victory Model frames, as evidenced in your gun's case by the small "s" on the sideplate and the vestigial lanyard ring hole, nicely plugged and finished.

Based on our Database I suspect that your revolver shipped from the factory in the February-March, 1946 time frame.

I have seen a number of nice Smiths which you have posted on here from your collection. You really should become a member of the S&WCA. If you have any interest please let me know and I'll get you an application. Anybody with a strong interest in Smiths, as you obviously have, would benefit from membership in the Association.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

 

[JayCeeNC]

Very nice gun, Larry.
I have S 829071, also a 5-incher, but it has the later Magna sharp-shoulder grips on it, not the fine looking Magnas you have there.
Mine also has the plugged lanyard ring hole and the small "S" on the upper part of the sideplate.
I also have the maroon box, properly marked and numbered to the gun. The box has an address and initials handwritten inside the box top, along with: "1946 $45.50"

Charlie, if you're collecting info on these I'd be happy to forward the particulars to you via email.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Originally posted by JayCeeNC
Charlie, if you're collecting info on these I'd be happy to forward the particulars to you via email.

Hi John:

Yes, that would be great. To keep it relevant to our study I only include those low number S-prefix which still exhibit certain Victory Model characteristics, as you described.

Thanks!

Charlie

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Hey Larry,
I don't know if this is the type of nickle gun you are looking for, but here is my pride and joy

Your gun is a sweet heart to. If we breed them do you think we could get a Pinto ? Later John

 

[waynebyram]

Hey Larry,
I had a nice old nickel.32-20 show up down here today.Congratulations on finding a good one to replace it.
Wayne

 

[moosedog]

Very nice find Larry. I just ran across # S 901791 which has the single line address, transitional Magnas numbered to the gun, no plug on the frame. This gun is pretty close to 100%, the picture doesn't do it justice. Sad part is I didn't get the box with it.
I do have a 4 inch Maroon box to swap if someone has one for a 5 incher.

 

[Geezer]

This old M&P, S820640, exhibits the finer checkering, the larger ejector rod knob, the "S" on the sideplate, but no hole for the butt swivel. It's my favorite M&P shooer.

 

[smith17]

Larry:
I am expecting a letter any day now on this one with serial number S814xxx. It would make my day if it was late 1945 but I expect a few months later.
Ed

 

[victorylarry]

John,
That's a nice nickel m&p! Looks like a 1920's vintage with the plain non-medallion grips and ejector rod.

Wayne,
Glad you like your 32-20. As I added a few to the collection, I had to let a few go. I'm glad it went to another forum member, especially one that has been looking for one for a while.

Charlie,
Thanks for offering a sponsorship to the S&W collector association. I was fortunate enough to become a probationary member earlier in the year (#1979). Thanks for the info. on shipping date. I'm curious to see the earliest serial number transition gun so I'll have to check the S&Wforum list.

Ed,
What can I say-that's a great gun and love the magnas. S&W must have had quite a few left over Victory frames after the war. These transition guns are a fun area of collecting. Combinations of:
1. pre-war/transition magnas (fine checkering) to high horn post war mangas
2. pre-war ejector rods to post war rods
3. left over Victory frames (S or SV marked, lanyard plugged)
4. one line address (Made in USA)
5. long action
The post war 1945-47' years make for some interesting variations from S&W.
Larry

 

[Muddyboot]

The post war pre 10's are a favorite of mine. This is mine, not an S serial number, but a low C.# C 903XX.

 

[MikeH1]

Some really nice guns. I lucked out and got a barely used 1948 M&P 4", s/n S 978xxx, shipped 3/1/48 to Honolulu Sporting Goods. I'm told it's a late transition model. Had to get a "letter from Roy" too!

 

[dwf6666]

Very Nice Guns Here Guys!

I also like the M&P's in general and this transitional is my favorite. I lucked into this gun a couple months back. SN is S916XXX. The grips number to the gun which is in very nice condition. Oh, BTW, it's a great shooter too.

 

[ssteven1]

Larry here is my S874xxx post war 5 inch M&P. I think it was made in 1946.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Nice nickeled gun, ssteven.
You're just down the road, let me know if you want to rid yourself of that ugly beast!! I have a 2" and 4" transition nickeled .38 M&P but would love to add another.