I Finally Got One! Round Butt Pre-10

[boykinlp]

I have a couple of 2” Square Butt S&W M&P Pre-Model 10’s, one in nickel and one blued, but I had never been able to get a Round Butt example…….until NOW! While scanning Gun Auction the other day, I saw what looked to me to be a gem. I placed a couple of bids and ended up winning it. It is a 2” blued, with a 5 digit serial number (C58706), and the icing on the cake for me, is the numbers matching service grips are pre-war. The case colors on the hammer and trigger are very nice. It couldn’t have been fired many times. The seller’s pictures were terrific, but when I got it in hand and waxed up, it was actually even better! I just LOVE the looks of the pre-war service grips, with silver medallions, on this gun. I rarely see one of these Round Butt snub nose versions for sale, and am extremely pleased to add it to my collection!

I am hoping that you folks can make me drool by posting pictures of your pre and post war Round Butt M&P’s. I like the 2 inch ones the best, but would appreciate seeing any Round Butt versions you have. Let’s see how many can be shown. They just look so sexy to me, and they feel good in the hand too. Post what you have and tell us about them.
Larry

 

[JP@AK]

A very good find. C58706 probably shipped in 1949. C53720 and C53833 and shipped in March, 1949. C56793 shipped on July 13, 1949.

There were lots of 2" round butts in that serial range. It was not at all uncommon for those early 2" round butt C prefix guns to wear the prewar service stocks. As you say, it is a nice combination.

 

[Malysh]

 

[Elroy]

I am hoping that you folks can make me drool by posting pictures of your pre and post war Round Butt M&P’s. I like the 2 inch ones the best, but would appreciate seeing any Round Butt versions you have. Let’s see how many can be shown. They just look so sexy to me, and they feel good in the hand too. Post what you have and tell us about them.
Larry

Per your request, here's a early 1949 M&P paired with an even earlier 1934 Bankers' Special.

 

[Frailer]

These aren’t great photos, but here is a pre-war example:

Here’s one from 1951; it was originally shipped to the LA County Sheriff’s Dept.

And here’s a 4-screw example. It appears the original owner swapped out the grips and put it away in a drawer.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I believe this is a late 1948, my birth year. I’m the 3rd owner. It was originally purchased by a Chicago police officer as his backup gun.

 

[pasound]

My 1950 M&P 38. It's a square butt. A little big in my hand, more comfortable with these Philippine cut-away Cokes. I have the numbered Magnas it came with.

 

[Toyman]

I like the service grips with round front sight.
Grips number to both guns

C53720 shipped March 1949

C69321 shipped April 1950

 

[Truckman]

I like the service grips with round front sight.

Yeah, me too...Now I have to find one like that...Maybe two...Curses!......Ben

 

[boykinlp]

A very good find. C58706 probably shipped in 1949. C53720 and C53833 and shipped in March, 1949. C56793 shipped on July 13, 1949.

There were lots of 2" round butts in that serial range. It was not at all uncommon for those early 2" round butt C prefix guns to wear the prewar service stocks. As you say, it is a nice combination.

Thanks Jack, I am very pleased with it, and extremely happy that there must have been a lot of pre-war service grips left over after the war. They look very classy to me! You are also correct about the shipping date, Roy just let me know it was June, 1949.
Larry

 

[.38SuperMan]

I think this era pre 10 and Detective Special / Cobra of that era define the classic image of the snub nose. Of course there’s nothing wrong with the J frame but the K frame and Colt D frame snub nose are what you think of when someone says snub nose.

I have a model 10 2” with the ramp front sight and a Detective Special with shrouded ejector and ramp but they just aren’t that classic look. Nothing wrong with them but my idea of the classic snubnose has that half moon sight and open ejector.

I will say though, the later Smiths had much nicer blueing.

 

[mchom]

Congratulations !!!

Here are a couple. Top is a prewar

 

[boykinlp]

These aren’t great photos, but here is a pre-war example:

Here’s one from 1951; it was originally shipped to the LA County Sheriff’s Dept.

And here’s a 4-screw example. It appears the original owner swapped out the grips and put it away in a drawer.

Mark, all 3 of those are really nice! Do you have any idea on your pre-war example when they switched from the black grips to wood? On your 1951 gun, being able to own the “ultimate” detective gun that was actually shipped to a law enforcement agency is awesome to me. Lastly, your 4 screw revolver is beautiful. The pearl grips currently on it are very cool looking, but were you able to get the original ones too? Thanks for sharing.
Larry

 

[Frailer]

2” M&Ps were available with either hard rubber or checkered walnut service stocks, so there was no “switch date.” The former are more common.

The 4-screw gun came to me with its replacement pearl stocks only, but the price was right.

 

[bruce5781]

Here is a Model 1899, 5" with factory MOP.

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[Malysh]

I always wanted a pre war 2" M&P round butt with hard rubber grips.

Tough gun to find.

 

[A10]

I really appreciate a nice round butt...no pre-models yet, but my 2 inch 10-5 is a favorite.

 

[Truckman]

I really appreciate a nice round butt...

I think I just bit through my tongue, but at least I avoided yet another infraction for inappropriate material here......Ben

 

[boykinlp]

Here is a Model 1899, 5" with factory MOP.

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Bruce, have you ever seen any pre-war S&W literature, such as a catalog, that showed all the different grips offered by them? Obviously, they had hard rubber, checkered wood, and pearl, do you know if they offered ivory or smooth wood from the factory?
Larry

 

[bruce5781]

Bruce, have you ever seen any pre-war S&W literature, such as a catalog, that showed all the different grips offered by them? Obviously, they had hard rubber, checkered wood, and pearl, do you know if they offered ivory or smooth wood from the factory?

Larry

Larry,
I have never seen a Catalog page for stocks. I don't recall seeing smooth wood on Hand Ejectors but earlier guns had them. I have a pair of N frame factory ivory.

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