Identify M&P .38

[rhm0351]

I'm traveling for the holidays and my Uncle showed me my Great-Grandfather's M&P .38. Being on the road, I don't have my SCSW book, but am very anxious to find out more. It is a 4" tapered barrel, nickel .38 Spl with a lanyard loop and stag grips. As soon as imgur starts working for me, I'll post the photo. The lanyard loop is what threw me off. The serial number on the butt is W1782xx. Was the lanyard added and is the serial incomplete? I believe the shoulder holster with it is a Heiser; it was a break front style. My Great-Grandfather was an oil wildcatter and, apparently maintained a police commission to avoid hassles of being armed, but never worked a day as a police officer in his life. Any help dating or an explanation of the configuration would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Speedo2]

A definitive answer will require a photo, but I suspect it's a Victory that's been modified. Perhaps a double-stamped "V". -S2

 

[rhm0351]

Just got the image to work. All of his other firearms I have are from the '30s, but there are a lot missing, too. It was a clear "W" and on the serial number was all together, with the same font and spacing. I didn't notice a "V" on the other side of the lanyard loop like other Victory models I've seen.

 

[cgt4570]

It most likely didn't leave the factory in nickel. That's definitely an aftermarket refin on it now. If it isn't a Victory model, it's very late pre-WW2. Those look like vintage genuine stag stocks. I know the revolver is a priceless heirloom, but the stocks are worth about the same as the gun at this point.

The SN definitely does not start with W. If there's a W on the butt, it was added by someone or some agency.

 

[DWalt]

What is stamped on the bottom flat of the barrel and the rear face of the cylinder?

Monetarily, much of the value is likely to be in the stag grips.

 

[rhm0351]

Maybe I transcribed the serial wrong. I didn't have much time with it and the lighting wasn't great. It had patent markings down the top of the barrel and an assembly number on the frame behind the crane, I didn't see anything below the barrel on the flat. What I thought was a W started the serial number on the same side of the butt from the lanyard as the rest of the number. I was focused more on whether the lanyard went through the serial number and may have missed detail. I'll see if my Uncle will snap a photo of the butt for me.