Help in ID-ing and dating

[Daugier]

I just bought a used S&W that I need help in identifying and dating. I THINK it's a pre-war, 5-screw, M&P .38. No model number of course, and the serial number is 394810 (no letters). 29.55 oz. The grips aren't original, but everything else appears to be....the cylinder is a different color blue, and does not have a s/n on it. My guess, if it is an M&P, is that the s/n dates it to 1915-1942, but I'd like to narrow that down, if possible. Thanks for your help!

 

[DARE]

Sure some folks will be along with more info, but think you are on the right track. The Blue Book says .38 M&P Model of 1905, 4th change has a SN range of 241,704-1,000,000 from 1915-1942. With your SN, probably nearer the start of the run.
Most of the 1941-42 production were the BSR in .38 S&W. Think they started about the 700k area.

 

[Daugier]

Thanks JADARE, that's what I was thinking about the date, this one looks pretty good for that age!

 

[Daugier]

I hope I can find some correct grips for it!

 

[DARE]

Not sure what the production was like during WWI, but if I had to guess, would put your gun in the early 20's. You are correct about the grips, they are newer than the gun.

 

[DARE]

Here is my gun, shipped in May, 1913. Read a grip post that said from 1919-30 your grips should look like mine, but without the medallion.

 

[JP@AK]

Daugier

You do have a prewar .38 Military & Police revolver. With that serial number, it would be from the very early 1920s. The lack of Made in U.S.A. on the right side tells us it is from before about mid-year 1922.

No serial number on the rear face of the cylinder probably means the cylinder was replaced, probably a long time after the gun was first purchased. Serial numbers in that location disappeared in the mid 1950s.

The stocks are from 1967 or later.

 

[JP@AK]

I hope I can find some correct grips for it!

Here is what the correct stocks would look like:

 

[Daugier]

Thanks very much!

 

[Daugier]

Thanks JP@AK! this is exactly what I needed. Now the search for those grips!