Gun Show Find.

[Bent-Twig]

I picked up this M&P at the gunshow today. My guess at age is around 1921 - 1922 or so. The serial number is 3890xx . Just guessin at the year. The pictures do this gun no justice at all. It is as clean as they get! I would rate it 97 to 98% . I have not given it a good cleaning yet but the blue looks as good as the day it was made. There is a slight drag line and the slightest of wear at the muzzle but that is it. Looks like it just sat hidden away all these years. I wish I could get better pictures maybe I will try again after it is cleaned up. These pictures are probably good enough to give you an idea of how nice this piece is. I know there are alot of these guns out there , but are there many out there from the 20's in this condition?

Twig.

 

[Muley Gil]

Wow, that IS a nice looking M&P!

Some folks buy guns and then stick 'em in the sock drawer and never shoot them.

 

[DCWilson]

Good looking M&P: congratulations.

It may be hard to believe, but it really is possible to find extremely nice specimens of almost any model. Even a hundred years ago, a certain percentage of firearms were purchased for peace of mind rather than to be put to work. It's those stored-away-and-forgotten guns that are the treasures that collectors are pleased to find today.

 

[mikepriwer]

Indeed - that is a very nice example. The case coloring is particularly
striking, as is the condition of the grips. All in all, that is a very nice
specimen.

Mike Priwer

 

[beagleye]

Hate to pry

but how is a gun like that worth. The reason I ask is that there is a specimen pretty similar to that one, close to mint, at a pawn shop I know marked at $699, no box.

Thanks, Pete

 

[murphydog]

Very nice. If the stocks are numbered to the gun it is from the 1920s, and there was a recent thread about guns just after WW I not having the logo stamped under the cylinder latch until (I think) 1924.

 

[28Shooter]

Amazing condition and a beautful handgun. Congratulations!

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Extremely nice specimen! Congratulations on finding what many of us who collect these would pay a premium for.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[GF]

Your lucky the stocks didn't get pulled off and put on Ebay. High condition revolvers are a treat to find. That's a good one!

GF

 

[Bent-Twig]

Very nice. If the stocks are numbered to the gun it is from the 1920s, and there was a recent thread about guns just after WW I not having the logo stamped under the cylinder latch until (I think) 1924.

The stocks are numbered to the gun , but that is one of the questions I wanted to ask about. The numbers are on the right hand grip but are not stamped in the grip , they are hand written . I have seen this on older grips before , but did S&W do this or is this someones attempt at making it original? I have to go to work but will be home this evening and I will take the grips off and get a picture.

Twig.

 

[Ken NC]

FWIW, I have an old top-break with the Bakelite grips and the number is penciled on inside one grip. My revolver is cosmetically rough and I doubt anyone took the trouble to pencil in a number....

 

[Bill Bates]

The stocks are numbered to the gun , but that is one of the questions I wanted to ask about. The numbers are on the right hand grip but are not stamped in the grip , they are hand written . I have seen this on older grips before , but did S&W do this or is this someones attempt at making it original? I have to go to work but will be home this evening and I will take the grips off and get a picture.

Twig.

The serial number lightly in pencil on the right grip panel is correct for this vintage.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Some SNs are stamped and others are hand written. It depends on the era and perhaps model. I have a few of both. As long as its written on the right grip and doesn't look fresh, its authentic.

 

[Smithy-wesson oil]

Beautiful example. Thanks for sharing!

 

[delta-419]

Some of my old topbreaks with the hard rubber grips have the serial number scrached into the right grip with a sharp instrument (nail). I have several like that.

 

[Peter J.]

All I can say is "WOW!"

 

[1blindref]

beautiful!
Congrats on finding that treasure.

 

[crsides]

REALLY REALLY nice. Love to find those time capsules.


Charlie

 

[fgn40]

Congrats, Bent-Twig that is a really nice
M&P you happened to find.

I ran across one last week, a 1910 vintage
in almost as nice a condition as yours.
I'm going to pick it up tomorrow night.

It was my first venture into older Smith's,
and I have a question for the more knowledgable.
Were the M&P's pretty much all 38 special's or???

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Wow, very nice find! I have a 1927 target in simular condition and I also marveled at its pristine condition. A target gun one would think be bought to shoot.