Found an early SV serial post war commercial M&P

[daddio202]

It was very exciting to come across a .38 M&P with a 5 inch barrel and all original with numbered pre magnas for $500. It is in very nice condition with serial being SV 771747. This is my second gun like this, my other being a 4 inch barrel with SV 807087. The most interesting difference between the 2 is the grips. The new earlier one has magnas with blued machined washers with pre-war checkering. My later gun has the same blued washers but the checkering was done in the later style with smaller checkered area with border. Glad to be custodian to both.

 

[Retired W4]

Nice pair of SV 38 M&P's. I have SV812256 with, as I recall, machined in the white stock circles. I'd have to go down in a safe to confirm that.

 

[Goony]

I have a pair of this "Commercial Victory" type that corresponds to yours.

 

[daddio202]

Goony looks like you have 4 and 5 inch barrel guns too. I like them! Jp@ck should be along to get my latest into the database. Just wondering if SV 771747 may have shipped in late 1945?

 

[JP@AK]

Nice revolver, good price.

There is very little doubt that both of your SV M&Ps shipped in March 1946.

You are correct about the stocks on both guns. The 5" unit is wearing Magnas of the prewar style. The 4" unit has the postwar style checking. The machined and blued washer is normal for those serial numbers, although the machined washer in the white is also seen in that range. The prewar checking style did not last beyond guns shipped in April 1946, but the machined washers lasted a little longer, mixed in with the later stamped steel type.

Added: It is worth noting that a large number of M&P units in these two serial ranges were shipped to the NYPD. However, based on a comparison of my database and that of Robert Rivas, yours are not among them.

 

[JP@AK]

Just wondering if SV 771747 may have shipped in late 1945?

No. The first postwar shipment was in February 1946, to the Cleveland Police Department. As far as I know, that was the only shipment in February. Commercial shipment began on March 1, 1946.