C27805 is the s/n.
Las Vegas Find Transition 38 2 inch.
- Thread starter bmg60
- Start date
C27805 is the s/n.
DWalt
Member
Yes- the numbers inside the yoke area are simply assembly matching numbers, to keep fitted parts together, not serial numbers. The only "Legal" SN is the one on the butt.
As others have said, this is the serial number, and it dates the gun to 1948-49. It is different from the others shown in this thread in that it has the high-speed hammer instead of the older long throw hammer. The C prefix revolvers went into production in about March, 1948.
S868055, January 1947
The postwar two-inch M&Ps are one of my favorite S&W varieties.
The postwar two-inch M&Ps are one of my favorite S&W varieties.
DWalt
Member
I wonder if the postwar snubbies will ever reach the desirability status of the pre-war Registered (and unregistered) Magnum. Not knowing how many postwar snubbies were produced, it's possible that they might be more unusual than anyone recognizes.
Cooter Brown
Member
Pardon my ignorance, but is the hammer the only external clue to the fact that a particular gun is a long action?
OP
bmg60
Member
Hi
That and the single line address and a S prefix. And they could be some of the short actions that have a single line address? Does any body have a short action 2 inch with a single line address.
I just checked 3 of my short action 2 inch and they were all 4 line address.The 48 gun 90xxx was 4 line address.
I have been holding out on this post. I have a second Transition with the box serial number S938018 shipped sept of 1947.
Here are a couple pictures.
Jim
That and the single line address and a S prefix. And they could be some of the short actions that have a single line address? Does any body have a short action 2 inch with a single line address.
I just checked 3 of my short action 2 inch and they were all 4 line address.The 48 gun 90xxx was 4 line address.
I have been holding out on this post. I have a second Transition with the box serial number S938018 shipped sept of 1947.
Here are a couple pictures.
Jim
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Pretty much.
Out of caution I should say that it is the only indicator I use regardless of whether other indicators exist. It's an invitation to correction to say "never," "always, or "only" in S&W discussions.
Cooter Brown
Member
Thanks for the info, Jim and David.
Some great looking old revolvers in the thread. It amazes me that guns like these that just beg to be used and carried make it as long as these have still looking this good.
Some great looking old revolvers in the thread. It amazes me that guns like these that just beg to be used and carried make it as long as these have still looking this good.
DWalt
Member
Aside from the hammer shape, an M&P SN under about S990000 will have a long action. But a small number of S-prefix SNs above that SN may also be found having long actions. The switch from long to short actions did not happen overnight. Any M&P SN having a C or D prefix will have the short action.
Here's one from April '46, S 816945
Hi!
I already have this one in my database (you supplied the info some time back). But I have one question. Is there a plugged swivel hole on the butt? I have one in my personal collection that is numbered only 80 numbers earlier than yours. It has a plugged hole. It appears from my research so far that they pretty much all did until about S819xxx.
Also, out of curiosity, what number is stamped on the right stock panel? Those appear to be stocks from the post-1952 period.
Thanks.
jouesdeveau
Member
DWalt
Member
1946-51 Magna stocks are of the so-called "sharp-shoulder" variety. The upper part of the "horn" has a nearly flat shelf. Later Magnas are more rounded there. You can see that in some of the pictures above. Posting #38 is a good example of a sharp shoulder stock.
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I agree with DWalt's answer except for his date. There is lots of evidence that the sharp shoulder variety were still shipping in droves in 1952. I generally use 1953 as the cutoff. There were even some of the older type that shipped in 1953, but they were relatively few. Conversely, there may have been some tapered shoulder Magna stocks that shipped in 1952, but I've not seen very many confirmed examples. In any case, as with most things S&W, there was a phase-in period.
Here is a picture of two M&P revolvers from the mid-1940s. The upper gun has the prewar style checkering with the sharp shoulder. The bottom gun has the postwar style checkering, also with the sharp shoulder.
Here is a K-38 from 1956 with the tapered shoulder Magna stocks on it. You can see the difference by comparing this with the stocks in my previous post.
jouesdeveau
Member
Many thanks, but now I've got to ask: what is the difference between the two types of checkering. Sorry for all the questions. My snubbie is pictured above: a 1946 with post-'52 stocks. I would like to get hold of the exactly correct originals that went with that 1946 model....
Here is a picture of two M&P revolvers from the mid-1940s. The upper gun has the prewar style checkering with the sharp shoulder. The bottom gun has the postwar style checkering, also with the sharp shoulder.
Look carefully at the extent of the checkering. The prewar style stocks had more coverage. It is most noticeable at the top, around the medallion.
Your gun shipped in late summer or early autumn of 1946. It is far more likely that it wore the postwar style stocks than the prewar style. However, I do show a very few with numbers higher than yours that shipped with the prewar style. So it is possible, but unlikely.
If you put postwar, sharp shoulder stocks on your gun, it will look right and will probably be right. Besides, the postwar style is much easier to find.
Your gun shipped in late summer or early autumn of 1946. It is far more likely that it wore the postwar style stocks than the prewar style. However, I do show a very few with numbers higher than yours that shipped with the prewar style. So it is possible, but unlikely.
If you put postwar, sharp shoulder stocks on your gun, it will look right and will probably be right. Besides, the postwar style is much easier to find.
jouesdeveau
Member
Good news!
Jack, the stocks don't match as you know. They're 240888. Not sure about the plug thing,there's a faint circle there.
Thank you!
So, I'm thinking those stocks could be from one of the following:
C240888 from c. 1953 or K240888 from 1955. In both cases they would have the tapered shoulder, as yours do. Very unlikely they come from D240888, since by that time most Model 10s were shipping with PC Magna stocks without the diamond and yours clearly are not of that style.
The pic of the butt definitely shows a plugged swivel hole. Thanks for clearing that up.
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