Help w/ Engraved .38

[MAUSER888]

I hope I have the correct forum to ask some questions about this engraved .38 Special

This belongs to my elderly neighbor and he's looking to sell. As he has some dementia he can't really remember when, where or how long he's had this so I thought I would reach out for some help with you experts.

On the butt and under the barrel there is a number C 192604. When you swing out the cylinder the number w 31738 is on the frame and crane.

Not sure if this is a model 10 or not. Aged ivory grips are very nice and very well fitted. Engraving looks professionally done. Bluing is also very well done too.

I'm wondering why it has a lanyard loop. Is this original to the pistol or do you thing it was added later?

Do you think this was Factory engraved by S&W or done post production?

What would be a fair price in today's market?

If you need to see any specific pictures I would be happy to add them to the post for better identification.

I'd like to pass this info on to him so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[s&wchad]

I'd say it's not factory engraved, but it is nicely done. I've also never seen a swivel like that on a S&W.

The Ivory grips are lovely!

 

[DWalt]

There are people who can recognize engravers by looking at their work, but I am not one of them. C 192604 would make it a Military and Police Model which probably shipped around mid-1952. Some collectors might call it a pre-Model 10. I can't estimate the value for an engraved gun as I know nothing about them. If the engraving was done by the factory or by a noted engraver, that could boost the value significantly. If they are Ivory, so could the grips.

 

[s&wchad]

I'm no expert on engraving either, but it's my understanding that factory engraved guns of this era had the small S&W trademark on the left side of the frame, so there was more room for engraving. The lanyard loop style and positioning is another good clue. It looks European to me.

 

[DWalt]

U. S. military personnel stationed in interesting parts of the world during the post-WWII era often had their personal guns engraved locally, especially in Germany and Japan. There was some very good local engraving talent available, and the work was inexpensively priced in comparison to what it would cost in the USA. Many years ago I watched a Japanese gun engraver at work, it was almost like watching a machine. He was unbelieveably fast and his work was first class. But engraved guns have never been my cup of tea.

 

[SS336]

That's a handsome old M&P. The ivory stocks are beautiful. Not to fond of the sling swivel, but it does give it a classic look.
Value would depend on who and where it was engraved. The stocks certainly would raise the value.
We have some gentleman on here that are very knowledgeable about engraving, they will have some good info.
Again, nice M&P.