help dateing my S&W

[nordicwolf]

I pick this up at a local shop for about $270.an would like to learn some more about it.any help would be great.
cal.38 special
top of barrel smith&wesson springfield Mass USA
patented feb 6 06 sept 14 09 dec 29 14
side of barrel smith&wesson other side 38 S&W special ctg
frame has S&W emblem made in usa
SN s 864XXX on butt of frame also marked on outside rim of cylinder
electro penciled inside grip frame O.P.D 19
thanks for any info you can give me.nordicwolf

 

[JP@AK]

Hello
Welcome to the Forum.
You found a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver that most likely shipped from the factory in January, 1947. It has a 4" barrel and looks pretty nice. $270 was a very good price for it.
The stocks on it date from more than 20 years after the gun left Springfield, so they are not original.
I'm in the midst of a research project on this particular line of guns, so I'll be sending you a brief questionnaire via PM.
I can tell you that this gun will turn out to be a favorite for you. The long action tends to be very smooth and positive. The S series of M&P revolvers was the last in a long line of these guns to utilize this action and hammer. It went away in about March of 1948.
Thanks for posting.

 

[DWalt]

You have a nice postwar (or post-Victory) Military and Police (M&P) revolver. It probably shipped from the factory in early to mid-1947. $270 is a very good price. Stocks are not original.

Probably police - some city starting with "O" like Omaha.

 

[JP@AK]

S864XXX on butt of frame also marked on outside rim of cylinder

Yes. It should also appear on the bottom of the barrel (flat part), on the underside of the extractor star and on the rear edge of the yoke arm. (The last one is very hard to see.)

electro penciled inside grip frame O.P.D 19

This appears to be a police department ownership stamp and rack number. I have no idea what city the O refers to.

 

[opoefc]

The S is part of the serial number, so it was made post WW2, in Dec. 1946. It's a Model 1905. 4th change, AKA: Pre-Model 10. I appears to be a surplus Police Dep't gun from O___ Police Department, inventory No. 19. The stocks are later replacements, post 1968. A factory historical letter will tell you what the Dep't was that received the gun from S&W. Ed.

 

[JP@AK]

Looks like DWalt and I are sending you answers simultaneously. And we are mostly agreed. My database would indicate shipping in very early 1947. Several on either side of yours shipped in January, hence my conclusion that yours did likewise in all probability. These were going out the door pretty rapidly in those days. The vast majority were being purchased by police departments, who needed lots of revolvers after the war.

 

[DWalt]

I show several nearby SNs dated between January and September 1947. Due to S&W's inventory shipping practices, any dating based on the SN is nothing more than an educated guess. Only a factory letter will provide an exact shipping date. At an approximate SN of S990000 (April 1948), there was a major change made in the action design (long to short), and those thereafter are properly termed pre-Model 10s. S&W adopted a new Model numbering system in 1957.

 

[nordicwolf]

thank you for the info.the reason I bought it was the O.P.D which I didn't even see till my wife who was along handled it and pointed it out to me. they had another S&W 38 there and was trying to decide which one to get.thought the pd marked one was neat and bought that one.an will be happy to help you with any info or pic that you want [email protected] wife who also collects says thanks to. we love these old gun with their stories and history no matter what make they are.nordicwolf

 

[JP@AK]

will be happy to help you with any info or pic that you want JP@AK

PM sent.
Thank you.

If you have any other S prefix M&P revolvers, you can use the same questionnaire for them. Just identify each by serial number.

 

[nordicwolf]

went back to the shop I got it from and was telling them about it.the lady who is part owner is very interested in older firearms and is learning so though I would help her out with the info.while there noticed another newer M&P in the case with a pair of much older looking grips asked if I could trade my newer grips for the older ones.an they said sure it would help to sell the pistol with newer looking grips so put the older pair on my pistol and now it looks a lot better.

 

[JP@AK]

put the older pair on my pistol and now it looks a lot better.

PICTURES! Photos are REQUIRED here! (Please?)

 

[nordicwolf]

will do in a day or two.still learning the rules

 

[JP@AK]

still learning the rules

We'll wait with great anticipation!

It really isn't a "rule." We just like to tell people it is!

 

[nordicwolf]

now with the other grips on it

here is my S&W with the older grips on it

 

[wvs&w]

Nordicwolf,
These ol S prefix Smiths will become one of your favorite shooters. They really like and you should shoot lead bullets in them, there are several companies that manufacture 147-158gr ammo, Federal American Eagle comes to mind, or just handload your own. I have a 5 and 6" S prefix, your 4" is very nice.

 

[MrO17]

I have been following this thread with interest. I have just discovered the joy of owning a S & W revolver. DeWalt helped me identify my recent pawn shop rescue. An S 966XXX with 2" barrel.



What do I refer to this gun as. Its not a model 10 or a pre-10, is it an M & P. Just trying to learn.

Thanks

Jay

 

[DWalt]

It's just an M&P, not yet a pre-Model 10.

 

[MrO17]

Thanks. Where is the best place to find detailed disassembly/assembly instructions.

 

[wvs&w]

Very nice M&P Jay, I'm on the lookout for a snubby S prefix myself.

 

[DWalt]

Look on YouTube.