Help with my dad's M & P

[M&P1959]

Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and I'm trying to identify what year this S & W .38 revolver is. My dad always referred to it as the .38 special Military & Police. I shot it as a kid, many years ago, but I'm trying to figure out how old it is. The serial number on the bottom of the butt is 257XXX. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[chief38]

I have an very early edition of SCSW and according to the book it gives a very broad date range for your model M&P. It states 1915 - 1942 however in 1915 the first serial number is 241704 so I'd venture to say yours was made about 1917 or so.

Looks to be in great shape too! Use it in good health. Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Glashaus]

That is a very nice 1905 Hand Ejector! I wish I had one like that from my Dad!

 

[JP@AK]

Very likely from about 1916, just before the U.S. entered the war. The last patent date on top of the barrel should be December 29, 1914.

The Circassian walnut stocks with the recessed gold medallions are period correct. The grip adapter is a more recent addition, probably from the 1950s.

Nice piece!

 

[M&P1959]

Thank you all for your quick feedback. If indeed it's 1916 - 1917, that's much older than my family believed it to be. That's great information and I really appreciate it!!!

 

[squirrelnest]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia......nice gun!

 

[DWalt]

Yes, your M&P is immediate pre-WWI. Is there a serial number on the inside of the right grip panel? It obviously was used little.

 

[M&P1959]

DWalt, I took off the grips and could find no numbers either on the inner side of the wood grips or anywhere on the frame under the grips. I hope that doesn't make it a Chinese fake .

 

[StrawHat]

That grip adapter appears to be a Mershon or Mersho-Fray. If so, it would be a little earlier than Jack mentioned. Mershon sold to Pachmyar in 1950 or so. Mershon started in 1930.

Kevin

 

[M&P1959]

StrawHat, Thanks for the grip adapter info, I like hearing that kind of detail. In the 1970's, I remember my dad having many boxes of parts and pieces like the grip adapter that were still new in their own boxes. No one seems to know what happened to all that stuff...sadly.

 

[JP@AK]

That grip adapter appears to be a Mershon or Mersho-Fray. If so, it would be a little earlier than Jack mentioned. Mershon sold to Pachmyar in 1950 or so. Mershon started in 1930.

Kevin
You are off by about 10 years. Mershon and Pachmayr were competitors in the 1940s and 1950s. They were involved in long drawn out litigation from about 1948 until 1955. Mershon was still making its Sure-Grip adaptor throughout the 1950s in Glendale, California. Mershon was finally bought out by Pachmayr in 1960.

 

[StrawHat]

Kevin
You are off by about 10 years. Mershon and Pachmayr were competitors in the 1940s and 1950s. They were involved in long drawn out litigation from about 1948 until 1955. Mershon was still making its Sure-Grip adaptor throughout the 1950s in Glendale, California. Mershon was finally bought out by Pachmayr in 1960.

Thank you! I had gleaned bits and pieces from this and other forums for a timeline of grip adapters. Never heard about the lawsuit.

Kevin

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! As you can see, there are quite a few experts here with tons of knowledge and information that is freely shared. You have a very nice and relatively early M&P .38 Special with some beautiful walnut stocks. Although there were literally millions of M&P revolvers manufactured over the years, yours is early and highly desirable, in great condition, and more valuable than most. Your Dad had good taste in revolvers, and has passed down a fine family heirloom. Enjoy!

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to the Forum from CT. As you can already see there are a lot of helpful and friendly people here. I have learned a lot.

 

[boykinlp]

Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and I'm trying to identify what year this S & W .38 revolver is. My dad always referred to it as the .38 special Military & Police. I shot it as a kid, many years ago, but I'm trying to figure out how old it is. The serial number on the bottom of the butt is 257XXX. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

You are very lucky that your father had such nice taste in firearms. It’s in great shape, and as an admirer of vintage wood grips, you have an extremely sharp looking pair there. If I’m not mistaken, they are S&W K Frame Square Butt Checkered Diamond Service Style Stocks With Large 1/2” Recessed Gold Medallions - Used 1910 to about 1920.
Larry

 

[Retired W4]

Nice entry to the forum with your dad's really cool gun. Welcome to the forum from Hot 'Lanta.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Thank you all for your quick feedback. If indeed it's 1916 - 1917, that's much older than my family believed it to be. That's great information and I really appreciate it!!!

I'm guessing it was bought used then.

 

[M&P1959]

SGT ROCK 11B, It had to have been bought used. I thought that my Dad bought it sometime back in the 50's or early 60's. My Mom is still alive but doesn't remember when he bought it. They were married in 1955, and she thinks he bought it after they were married...at some point. My Dad was a parole officer for a while in the late 60's and his brother was law enforcement, so there was always something happening around firearms.

 

[T112-4]

M&P 1959 Hi from Wisconsin. Check that inside right hand grip very carefully. I have one dated 1918 and only thing that can be barely seen of 290xxx are the last three numbers written in pencil. Very cool gun.

 

[DWalt]

At that time, the SN was written in pencil on the inside of the right side grip panel. It is often very difficult to see. Your grips do appear to be correct for that time period.