M&P Model of 1905 4Th Change Rescue

[Jimmyjones]

Hit the Gun show today and found this M&P. It's a bit rough and a bit loose but looked like it could use a good home.

I believe it's an M&P Model of 1905 4Th Change. Serial Number is 5411xx. Could use help on the date.

After I'd looked at it a bit I made an offer, he said he couldn't go that low, it had belonged to his neighbor and he was selling it for his widow, she really could use the money and "he was a good friend and I truly miss him".

His neighbor had been a bank security officer and carried this his entire career.

Asked him if knock of $10 so I felt like I got a deal, no problem. Told him to tell her it was going to a good home, would be appreciated and shot. After I clean it up.

The numbers match, but can't find the pencil marks on the oil soaked stocks, but I believe they're correct ???

Payed $265 for it, how'd I do?

 

[butchkent]

Looks pretty good for a 90 year old. Best guess on days based on info in Std Catalog of S&W #3, would be 1927.
Have one FM 1926 myself. Shoots pretty good.
Good luck with yours. BTW, the grips appear to be very nice. It should clean up great.

 

[DWalt]

Definitely from the later 1920s. The grips are correct for the 1920s period. I'd be interested at $265. Spray down the works with aerosol carb cleaner.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I stripped it down to the frame and soaked everything in some Hoppes and ATF overnight. Got all the gunk out, cleaned the rust off the hand an rebound slide with some semi-chrome.

It's cleaning up nicely, a bit loose in lock-up, some end shake. Carries up 4 of 6 with a slow hammer, if I stage it like a J-Frame 6 for 6. There was no sign of lead spitting when I dis-assembled it, so I'm hoping to get to shoot it this weekend.

I've been reading the S&W Revolver shop manual, between it and the knowledge here on the forum it'll be a fun project to learn on.

 

[DCWilson]

I have 544932 from 1927, so that's probably the year of yours too.

Disassembling the action and giving everything a good soaking in parts cleaner followed by a nylon bristle brushing will make everything squeaky clean and smooth out the action. You don't have to take the hand off the trigger, so don't. Pointed 2.5mm bamboo skewers make great crevice cleaners.

Anything less than $300 for a functioning K-frame of any age is a good price.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi
Nice shooter for a decent price. You will like this revolver.
.38 M&P with serial number 5315xx shipped in February, 1926, according to Roy's letter. So it wouldn't surprise me to discover your example shipped later that same year. Obviously, it could have shipped in early 1927. But sometime in 1927, the extractor rod knob changed, so your gun would have shipped before that happened.
Jack

 

[Jimmyjones]

Thanks for more info !

DCW, old tooth brush then toothpicks, q-tips and pipe cleaners, have to try the bamboo skewers

JP@AK, I hadn't even noticed the the extractor knob change, got my 1946 vintage off the headboard to compare. Big difference in the knobs, and the corresponding barrel notch.

The other big change I noticed is the difference in hammer block design. This was the first 'old style' hammer block I've seen.

Cool, that's why I love this place !

 

[JP@AK]

JP@AK, I hadn't even noticed the the extractor knob change, got my 1946 vintage off the headboard to compare. Big difference in the knobs, and the corresponding barrel notch.

Yes, and not too long after your 1946 revolver shipped, it changed again. This time to the same diameter as the rod, so they no longer had to machine a notch in the bottom of the barrel.
I expect the serial number on your 4" postwar M&P has an S prefix. Is that correct? If so, would you mind sharing the full number with me? Send it via PM if you wish. Also, are there patent dates on the top of the barrel of this revolver?
When you remove the stocks, what type of retaining washer is on the back side of the medallions? Does the right stock panel have the same serial number as the gun impressed into the wood?
I am trying to collect info on as many of these immediate postwar guns as possible to track changes in the postwar period. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Jack

 

[Jimmyjones]

Jack,
Yes it's an "S", the stock serial numbers match, it has black washers and patent dates on the barrel.

I've understood that they were a transition into what became the "pre 10".

I'd be interested in more information on the S series.