M&P Pre Model 10

Crookedcreek

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My SIL and I went back to the LGS today to look at the Model 10-5 Davison's 're-import' that I posted about elsewhere, while I was picking up my 1911.
In the case was another M&P. This one is a pre Model 10, 5" barrel, diamond Magnas in pretty darn good shape, everything very 'tight'. Single action trigger pull 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 pounds on my RCBS scale. From what we found with a minor 'net search' was the S.N. puts it in a 1946-48 range for S811120-S999999 post war S-Series K frame. He got it for $530 plus tax, a little more than the 10-5, but seems well worth the difference. Lazy ampersands on each marking. Eye candy follows:
 

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Nice gun.
It is not a Pre Mod 10. It is a 38 M&P Transition model. It still has the Pre War long action. A Pre Mod 10 is a short action gun. ;)

Thanks Lee, I appreciate the clarification...and the education! As a 'transition' model, does that indicate more of a 'rarity', with a fewer number produced, or is that a 'ho-hum' sort of thing (as in 'a whole bunch of them out there!') to us that are not as well versed in the knowledge of 'Smith history'?

P.S. Dumb question....Does that mean it would not be considered, or referred to as a "K frame"?
 
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It is a very early (probably 1946) post-WWII transitional .38 M&P. It has the large ejector rod knob, and a one-line address on the right side.
Nice score for that price.
 
It is still considered a K-frame.

"Transition" guns were primarily made from 1946-48, so they are less common than later variations. S&W was transitioning from wartime military production back to peacetime commercial production, so collectors consider these guns as 'transition' models.
Good buy for the money!
 
OK guys, I'm confused! What identifies the stocks as being 1953 or later and not original to the gun. They look (to me anyway) the same as @larryofcc in post #9, where he says "Diamond center Magnas number to the gun.", and his gun is slightly later production with the straight ejector rod?? Are there markings on the back side of the stocks that we should be looking for (any pics.?)?
 
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A two-part answer to your question.

1. The difference between your stocks and Larry's is in the shoulder. If you look closely at his, you will see that the shoulder drops off sharply to the frame. On yours the shoulder is more tapered. That change came in early 1953.

2. It is possible that I am misinterpreting your pictures, and the shoulder is sharper than it appears to be. You can check by removing the stocks and looking on the inside of the right panel. A serial number will be impressed (stamped) into the wood. If it matches the serial number on your revolver (minus the S), then the stocks are original. If it does not match, the stocks were added later. I suspect the latter.
 
I do believe the OP's stocks are later than the gun. Easy to tell since all Magna stocks had stamped serial numbers if from the factory. Here is a set of 1948 K frame Magnas for comparison.

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OK guys, SIL pulled the stocks a minute ago, the numbers are 288700. Not knowing the prefix of the gun from which they came may make a certain date iffy, but the general number looks like maybe 1956 on the stocks....sound about right?
Sure getting an education here...very much appreciated!
I'm finding 'subtleties' can make all the difference in the world...like in women, subtleties can take a 7 to a 10! No, I don't collect women, 1 for 57+ years was all I needed!

P.S. As an aside, I went downstairs and looked at the diamond Magnas from my pre-18, they number 323960. Right now I have a set of Altamont Ropers on my pre-18, so I didn't look to see a 'match' or S.N. prefix on the gun, but I'm quite sure they will match, given the known history of the gun.

Here is what my Pre-18 looks like:
 

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If the original prefix was a C (C288700), they would be from 1953-54. If the original prefix was a K (K288700), they would be from late 1956 or early 1957. Could be either one.
 
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