I have no idea what the model # is as it came without a box from my uncle's estate. This is a hand ejector with the serial # C22401. It's a 38 Speical caliber, a barrel length of 4", and has the fixed sites. It appears to be a 5 screw with the strain screw. I'm assuming it was factory engraved with a class C rating. It has an interesting trigger in that it's as wide as the guard itself and makes the trigger hard to grip even with the grooves. I leave it up to you experts to tell me what I have. Thanks...
M&P 38 S&W Special CTG Factory Engraved ID?
- Thread starter sparky349
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The Kid
Member
That is a clamp on trigger shoe, available from several sources in the past and held on with tiny set screws.
Also not a factory engraving job. Done in the "pawn shop" style of engraving through the finish and making extensive use of the wobble technique with a squared graver. Pawn and jewelry shops supposedly would do this type of job to gussy up a pistol they got cheap to make it sell for more money.
Also not a factory engraving job. Done in the "pawn shop" style of engraving through the finish and making extensive use of the wobble technique with a squared graver. Pawn and jewelry shops supposedly would do this type of job to gussy up a pistol they got cheap to make it sell for more money.
Lima_Delta54321
Member
miss matched grips...(?)
Sorry, but terrible is the only word I can use to describe the quality of the engraving.
Adversely affects the value of the revolver. Of course, family heirlooms are always priceless to those who cherish them.
Adversely affects the value of the revolver. Of course, family heirlooms are always priceless to those who cherish them.
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That is a 38 Military and Police mode between the late 1940s to early 50s. It looks like the engraving was done to match the profile of target style grips which were wider. And, yes, that is a 5 screw version. I don't track serial numbers but others can probably give you a closer date as to when it was shipped.
"Pawn" or jewelry store engraving was popular at various times from the 1920s to 50s. I happen to appreciate the wriggle cut engraving. It was a way for a gun owner to personalize their handgun and should be appreciated as sucn. Not everyone's budget could afford factory engraving.
Congrats on you inheritance but sorry for your loss.
"Pawn" or jewelry store engraving was popular at various times from the 1920s to 50s. I happen to appreciate the wriggle cut engraving. It was a way for a gun owner to personalize their handgun and should be appreciated as sucn. Not everyone's budget could afford factory engraving.
Congrats on you inheritance but sorry for your loss.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Agree with Quinn and glowe above. The trigger shoe is a "Flaig Ace" that was quite popular in the 1940-1960s. As they both said the engraving is certainly not factory and is what is referred to as "Pawn Shop" engraving of the type commonly referred to as "wriggle work". I have seen far better pawn shop engraving! It is a family heirloom though, which may give you a sense of value far above the actual monetary value of the gun.
As I newbie, I thought the revolver with the "C" prefix might have been the c class engraving. I've since found on sales sites that the C was just the serial number range from 1948 -1952. IMHO, I find the pawn shop engraving makes this gun very distinctive from the hundreds of thousands of M&Ps floating around. I will enjoy shooting it and showing it off to my friends for many years to come. Thanks to all who replied.
.38 M&P number C22401 probably left the factory in summer or autumn 1948.
I agree 100% on the Pawn Shop engraving. I like pawn shop engraving as it is a cool touch from a bygone era.
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