Help with markings on post war M&P (pre-mdl 10)

[harley440]

New to posting, been a member for a few years, so bear with me if I miss something.
I purchased the pictured revolver out of Pennsylvania a couple years ago, have even shot a couple cylinders full through it after I got it. Never even looked it over in some of the confined areas and totally missed some markings that I have never seen before. The barrel flat, bottom strap and a mark on the face of the cylinder are all pictured. Hope someone can decipher what all these mean. By the way, I did not enhance the markings on the bottom strap (not that someone before me couldn't have), they are that well defined. Hard to miss, but I sure did. The hammer spur is also appx .380" at the spur with what I would describe as target depth crosshatch pattern and the trigger isn't serrated, but smooth and flares out to appx .330" wide. The side plate screws look unmolested, so not sure what this all means. The grips are not original to the revolver, all other serial numbers match. Considering a letter, but would like to try the wealth of knowledge here first.
Harley

 

[jeffrefrig]

I’m wondering if it left the factory with all of those stamps. They may not be in the letter as it left the factory like that, but I’m pretty sure someone here knows what the stamps mean. I’m looking at mine and it doesn’t have any besides the regular serial number stamps. I’m curious since I live in PA. My M&P 38, ser. # C 37441, lettered to ship date 1/3/1949. I only paid $400; I remember buying it because I traded my 10-8 and it was in better condition than the M10. Good luck;
I’ll be checking back to see if anyone knows anything. Maybe some police department.

 

[DWalt]

Probably later applied stamped inspection, ownership, and/or and proof markings done outside the USA. There are proof marking origin references. A letter would tell you where the revolver was shipped from the factory ( which could be anywhere) but it almost certainly would not mention the various stampings on it. Maybe someone here might be able to identify that proof marking. Looks like from the mid 1950s and has the so-called PC grips which are probably correct for that time.

 

[crows]

I believe you will find the markings in what you are calling the bottom strap are post 1952 West German proof marks.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Crows is correct. The N mark is a German proof for nitro powder test. The leaf mark (I think it's a leaf)to the right of the BE is the mark of the Ulm proof house in Germany.

 

[crows]

Not to nit pick, but it is an antler, and yes, it signifies Ulm.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Ahh yes, an antler! Thanks for the clarification!