M&P project gun

[Raider]

Hello everybody, I've lurked and enjoyed the S&W forum for a long time. This is my first real post.

I picked up a 5" barrel Military and Police .38spl at the gunshow at a very good price. I think its a former cop gun and the remaining blue is quite worn in places. Its been reblued and the S&W logo is thinned but the internals, barrel and cylinder are perfect and it has a buttery smooth action both SA and DA. Serial number is 8143XX. The serial number on the barrel, cylinder and frame all match.

I will write for a letter on the revolver. What I would like to do is carefully polish and then rust blue it myself since its going to be a shooter. Unfortunately the hammer and trigger are blued also. Can anybody give me an idea of when the gun was made.

Also some other questions. Can anybody provide a name of someone who can re-case color the hammer with a reasonably quick turnaround?

The grips are sound but have some finish scrapes. Any idea of what era they are from. What would be the correct grips to put on the gun?

Finally, do you think the hammer is original to the gun? Is it a "hump back" hammer?

Thank you for your patience with all my dumb questions. Your thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated.

Photos below.

Charlie

 

[Raider]

Hello everybody, I've lurked and enjoyed the S&W forum for a long time. This is my first real post.

I picked up a 5" barrel Military and Police .38spl at the gunshow at a very good price. I think its a former cop gun and the remaining blue is quite worn in places. Its been reblued and the S&W logo is thinned but the internals, barrel and cylinder are perfect and it has a buttery smooth action both SA and DA. Serial number is 8143XX. The serial number on the barrel, cylinder and frame all match.

I will write for a letter on the revolver. What I would like to do is carefully polish and then rust blue it myself since its going to be a shooter. Unfortunately the hammer and trigger are blued also. Can anybody give me an idea of when the gun was made.

Also some other questions. Can anybody provide a name of someone who can re-case color the hammer with a reasonably quick turnaround?

The grips are sound but have some finish scrapes. Any idea of what era they are from. What would be the correct grips to put on the gun?

Finally, do you think the hammer is original to the gun? Is it a "hump back" hammer?

Thank you for your patience with all my dumb questions. Your thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated.

Photos below.

Charlie

 

[Stophel]

That is not a hump back hammer. The hump back has no dips in the top line of the hammer. It's a smooth curve from the nose to the end of the thumbpiece, and checkered most of the way.

 

[npd136]

Per the S&WSC#3, 700000 thru 1000000 was made from 1940 to 1945. Perhaps someone else could be more precise. I have a 5 inch as well made during the early 20's. A really fun gun to shoot.

 

[cgt4570]

I've used blue and rust remover on a Q-tip to simulate faded case colors on hammers that were blued. If it's a well-worn gun or a refinish, it won't stick out nearly as much as solid blue.

Trick is to dab just a little on, then wash it in water, then oil it. You'll end up with a mottled appearance, but like I said, I think it's a lot better than shiny blue. (and a lot cheaper than re-case coloring for a shooter grade gun).

Chris

 

[m-1911]

I have some hammers and triggers that should work and have colors on them. E mail me at

[email protected]

 

[Raider]

Steve, no S preceeding the serial number.

Originally posted by stbryson:
Hello Raider,

RE: your serial number, is there an "S" preceeding the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame? It would be several spaces to the left of the serial number. If so, the gun likely shipped in early 1946.

Take care,

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

I believe that pre war checkered walnut service stocks with medallion, as shown below, are the correct grips for your revolver, which seems to be late pre war or wartime production. The S&W letter should tell you precisely what type of stocks were shipped on the gun. Good luck....it's a nice old piece....keep us updated on your progress.

 

[Raider]

Thanks Lefty.

Gary, email sent.

 

[2152hq]

Those old M&P's are smooth. Hope you find the grips you need. Those diamond target grips that are on the gun now, though scratched and maybe missing a small chip or two, are worth a few $$ in themselves. I'd guess they are from the early 50's to the early 60's. Probably someone here that can make a better, more educated statement of their age than I can.

 

[mikepriwer]

Those target stocks are the first version - they do not have the extractor cut.
Sometime around the mid 1950's, I think. Maybe the early 1950's .

Later, Mike Priwer