M&P with a story

[ABuchholz]

When my grandfather died, I received one of his pistols. It is an S&W M&P with a good story.

The details are:

Fixed sight
Rubber grips
5 screw
mushroom ejector
38 S&W Special Ctg
Yoke number shows 39114
Bottom of barrel shows B 123426 (no brackets surrounding B)
Bottom of butt shows 123426

The story is this.....Prior to WWII, my grandfather was a young guy looking for work (during the Depression) and may have gotten involved in some things of questionable legality. Nothing serious, he never went to prison (and was actually a war hero), but he may have run a few numbers. Anyway, he came into possession of the above gun with a non-factory modification that shortened the original barrel to about 3" (from what I think was originally 6"). He told me that this was done to facilitate concealment and make it easier to get out of his belt.

It is a wonderful momento of him and a reminder to me that people can and do change. It would be great if you could help me understand some more history about this fine gun.

 

[Absalom]

Welcome to the forum!

Cool story. Your grandpa's gun, based on the butt serial, would have shipped around 1909/10 or so. You don't mention the finish, but the B in front of the barrel serial means it left the factory blued. And you don't mention the shape of the grip, but black rubber with the S&W logo would be correct on what we call a round butt. The yoke number does not matter, it's just for factory assembly purposes.

Given its family history, I'd spend the money on a history letter to find out when and where it shipped and its original barrel length.

Below a typical catalog from the period. Abercrombie & Fitch, 1910.

 

[ABuchholz]

Absalom

Thank you for the reply and information. You are correct on the finish and the round butt. I would say the finish, while originally blue, has given way to more of a gun metal gray. It still is in pretty good shape and appears to be good as new mechanically. Although used, the rifling in the barrel is still clearly visible.

As a side note, about 20 yrs. ago, my Dad got it from my grandfather and did a cleaning. As he pulled the grips off, he found a small piece of paper with a note stating, "Thanks for the loaner, it came in handy but I didn't have to use it." It wasn't in my grandfathers handwriting, so I can only guess at how it was used.

Based upon the SN, do you think this to be a 2nd change version? If I can get my digital camera back from my daughter for 5 minutes (good luck with this), I will post a set of pictures for your review.

 

[bruce5781]

Great history...looking forward to photos.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[Absalom]

.......
Based upon the SN, do you think this to be a 2nd change version? ......

There are members here much better-versed in the evolutionary iterations of the different changes. Until they chime in, I can tell you that the 1st and 2nd change overlapped serial-wise and the 2nd change is generally recognized by the two dowel pins in the extractor star. So look there.

 

[DWalt]

The SN indicates it should be a second change. I'd agree it shipped in 1909 or possibly 1910 by bracketing other SNs on my list.