Help identifying and aging gun

[GWheeler]

Good afternoon. My great nephew just reached out to me with a gun he would like help identifying and getting an age on.

I think I know the model but I don't want to mislead him.

Attached pictures of the gun showing the serial number. There is not a model number behind the yolk.

Any help is greatly appreciated for this young man.

 

[DARE]

The gun is a .38 Military & Police. The serial number puts it in the late 1930's I believe. Think they hit serial number 700,000 in 1940.

 

[gmborkovic]

cant tell about the nickel finish but the plate seam looks tight. Not over buffed. Hammer and triggers aren't shiny so that looks good. Dont see an "N" stamp. Nice old M&P.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

To me, that looks like a factory original nickel finish.

Check the serial number stamped under the barrel. If there is a "B" prefix, it shipped with a blue finish. A lack of the "B" indicates it was shipped as a nickel revolver.

Post WW II revolvers had "N" stamps to indicate a nickel finish.

 

[DWalt]

Around 20 years ago I bought an M&P cheap that could have been that one’s twin. I still have it, but don’t know where I hid it. What is the first digit of your SN? Grips on yours are typical of the 1920s decade.

 

[DARE]

1st digit looks like a 6 to me. Not real clear, could be a 5. I was basing late 30's guess on it being a 6.

 

[mtgianni]

Cylinder stamp seems to start with 6.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Collectors call your revolver a 38 Military & Police, 4th Change. If the number is 615845, it could have shipped around 1930. The serial numbers closest to yours indicate a 1930 ship date, but in the days after the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 slowed sales significantly. Add to the fact that the company did not ship in serial number order, means there was likely a big inventory of unsold guns. The stocks on the gun indicate it was likely manufactured in 1929 and could have sold the next year. The 4th Change 38s were made in serial number range starting with 241,704 up to around 700,000. These guns were produced from 1915 to 1942, when production of most commercial guns ceased with the outbreak of WWII.