Is this an M&P 1905? If not what is it ?
- Thread starter WV_guy
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Did I miss the serial number? Nice looking gun. Post 1922.
OK, to quick on the keys. Sorry.
OK, to quick on the keys. Sorry.
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It is an early post-war commercial Military & Police . . . s/n S901407 would be April-May-ish 1947.
A fine revolver . . . enjoy,
Russ
edit: Yes, the "S" s/n prefix (and it is part of the serial number) is significant because it confirms the inclusion of the new Safety hammer block design.
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If the gun were dropped on the hammer, the safety hammer block prevents the hammer from reaching the firing pin. It is retracted by the rebound slide when the hammer is cocked (SA) or the trigger is pulled (DA). Was developed circa 1946 after a sailor was killed when his Victory Model was dropped.
Russ
Russ is on the money. This is a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver. Very nearby serial numbers were shipping in late May, 1947. I show two in my database very close to and bracketing yours - S901270 and S901467. They, like yours, have the 5" barrel.
You have a very nice example of the type, even down to the correct style stocks (probably original). Your revolver left the factory about 30 years after S&W stopped calling this the Model 1905.
Russ again has provided good info. To narrow the time down a bit:
S&W engineers went to work on the problem in the summer of 1944. The design was approved in September and the production changes were implemented in December. The first examples with the new sliding hammer block safety left the factory in January, 1945. Those Victory Models with the new safety device carried the SV prefix in their serial numbers. After the war, the V was dropped but the S remained until March, 1948.
Hi Ron
I have your revolver in my database (I'm sure you must have posted about it or given me the data). But I have some blanks and have two questions:
1. Does yours have a plugged hole on the butt where the swivel would attach? Your number indicates it is right on the cusp of when those disappeared.
2. Is it wearing its original numbered stocks?
Thanks.
Just checked it out...as I remember, stocks do match to the gun, and there is no plugged hole. Interesting.
Thank you!
You're welcome...maybe I have a very rare revolver where the hole plugged itself through the power of RA...or something. Would be interesting if Mr. Jinks could provide the first actual pre-model 10 S/N from the archives, whether shipped or manufactured. His 1977 book provides so much info I am on overload right now. I bet things were hopping when civilians could finally get their hands on S&Ws after the war!
DWalt
Member
It was in the S-series, SN around S990xxx (in the upper end of that range). One cannot be too precise about the SN, as there some lower serial numbers having the short action, and others having higher SNs which retain the older long action.
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According to factory records, the first serial number to have the "High Speed" hammer is S990184, in March, 1948 (assembly). However, the lowest number I've actually been able to identify with the short action is S990806. It shipped in March, 1948.
As DWalt pointed out, there was a "transition time" during which various serial numbers had the long and short action. The highest serial number I've found so far with the older long action is S996765. That one shipped in June, 1948. It should be noted that there were several special order M&P revolvers chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge in the serial range higher than S990001. So far as I can determine, all of those had the long action.
As DWalt pointed out, there was a "transition time" during which various serial numbers had the long and short action. The highest serial number I've found so far with the older long action is S996765. That one shipped in June, 1948. It should be noted that there were several special order M&P revolvers chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge in the serial range higher than S990001. So far as I can determine, all of those had the long action.
NoDipNoMore
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Does the shape of the hammer determine long or short action? I just picked up the same arm, serial # S 976XXX. Research indicates it has the long action. Just looking to understand the physical differences. Thanks
jsfricks
Member
Yes, you can tell by the shape of the hammer if it is long or short action. Compare yours with his picture, if it's the same shape you have a long action.
DWalt
Member
S 976xxx would be expected to have the long action, as the short action was not incorporated until S 990xxx. And the hammer shape is an instantly apparent distinguishing characteristic.
I just posted these on another thread, but here are two photos showing the difference between the long and short action hammers. The short action hammer was referred to by S&W as the "High Speed hammer."
Long action hammer:
High Speed hammer:
K-22 gold box with the "High Speed" hammer statement (the same language is on M&P boxes of this era):
Long action hammer:
High Speed hammer:
K-22 gold box with the "High Speed" hammer statement (the same language is on M&P boxes of this era):
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