Interesting M&P Stubby

[GRI]

I recently picked up this .38 M&P with a 2 inch barrel. Nickel plated the serial number is in the 1928 range. However, the left side of the frame logo, if understand rightly, ended around 1922. The pistol is tight and has matching numbers. The barrel nickel does not have the same hue of nickel as the rest of the gun and lacks any markings, but is correct for the gun. The butt has the factory rework star. Any thoughts?

 

[murphydog]

2" .38 M & P barrels were not produced until the 1930 decade, so it cannot be a factory original part from the 1920 decade.

If the barrel does not have a matching SN it is a later replacement; if the SN is present and you see a rework date on the left lower grip frame the factory may have stamped the matching SN on it at that time.

 

[GRI]

2" .38 M & P barrels were not produced until the 1930 decade, so it cannot be a factory original part from the 1920 decade.

If the barrel does not have a matching SN it is a later replacement; if the SN is present and you see a rework date on the left lower grip frame the factory may have stamped the matching SN on it at that time.

The rework date is March 1951. It does have a matching number on the barrel, but I was not sure if they would stamp a number to match when they installed a new barrel. Also, the barrel is in fine condition and has not been tampered with, yet it lacks any markings.

 

[murphydog]

A photo of the barrel SN would help, but I think you have solid (steel) proof about the factory stamping numbers on them.

No idea why the usual barrel rollmarks aren't there; it may just have been a missed production step, or perhaps why it wound up in the replacement parts bin?

 

[Absalom]

... the serial number is in the 1928 range. However, the left side of the frame logo, if understand rightly, ended around 1922...

You were misinformed. The logo moved around 1936, so for a 1928 gun it is in the right place.

 

[Hondo44]

The factory usually stamped the matching serial # on the barrel when replaced. But we'll need to see the # to confirm if factory stamped. And there should be a diamond after the #.

Will need to see left side grip frame with grip removed for clues stamped there for what the factory did.

Missing roll marks on barrel is hard to explain but we've seen just about any anomaly one can imagine.

 

[murphydog]

Another possibility for the barrel anomaly - the plated hammer and trigger suggest the gun has been refinished, which may have included the barrel stampings being removed in this process.

 

[GRI]

The factory usually stamped the matching serial # on the barrel when replaced. But we'll need to see the # to confirm if factory stamped. And there should be a diamond after the #.

Will need to see left side grip frame with grip removed for clues stamped there for what the factory did.

Missing roll marks on barrel is hard to explain but we've seen just about any anomaly one can imagine.

Here is the barrel. There is not a diamond after the barrel, just the "P" proof. The left grip only has "3.51."

 

[GRI]

Left grip.

 

[GRI]

At this point I am inclined to believe the factory installed the short barrel and extractor rod (or cut and re-knurled the original) in 1951. The barrel was likely a leftover WWII barrel.

 

[murphydog]

Makes perfect sense. Enjoy!

 

[snubbyfan]

I like shiny stuff, thanks for sharing.