More help with M & P

[IOwnDoubles]

Hello,
New member here I have only 3 S & W revolvers (I love my Kit gun). I asked for help identify this one. Was told it is an M & P, part of a lot of revolvers produced by S & W and should post on this thread for better identification and value. It came from the estate of a gunsmith friend who died from Dementia. I helped liquidate the estate for his wife. It would not open until I brought it to a real gunsmith who found the hardened grease in it. It is pretty good shape other than a little bluing wear on the end to the barrel and sight, minor amounts of wear on the top strap and the grip edges have a few minor rough spots. See the picture.
#813580 in .38 S & W Special (.38 special) fixed sights, 5" barrel.
Can you tell me more and approximate value? I am not a pistol guy, but a double barrel shotgun collector.
Thanks in advance.
Jerry

 

[DARE]

My guess would be a $400-500 gun. Hopefully you will get a few more opinions as I am far from an expert.

Your gun is called a .38 M&P. From the serial number I would estimate maybe a 1940-41 shipping date.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Retired W4]

From the photos, and serial number it's a 38 M&P, Model 1905, 4th change. If I'm incorrect please correct me.

As for value, I'm probably the wrong one to opine. I don't mind a little muzzle wear on a nice old revolver like that.

 

[Retired W4]

After further consideration I would say, if I had that one on my tables here in Atlanta, I could get $500-$575. It's hard to say just looking at pictures though. Those stocks look really good in your pictures and I'm assuming the inside of the right panel is numbered to the gun.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass, Jerry! I believe if you look at the serial number on the butt again, the first number is a 6. That makes sense because the trademark stamp is a small one on the left side of the frame. So, the .38 M&P was made before 1938 when S&W switched it to the side plate. That would make the approximate date of manufacture around 1930 or so. Perhaps JP@AK or Targets Guy can provide more information?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Check the serial number under the barrel. It should have a "B" prefix, which indicates that it shipped with a blue finish.

That one may be easier to read.

 

[glowe]

Welcome. That number is a tough one. It does not look quite like the "8" in the serial number? Look at the rear of the cylinder or the flat of the barrel ahead of the frame to see two more numbers. Might take a magnifying glass. The 38 Military & Police, 4th Change started with #241,704 and ran to WWII wartime production. A civilian M&P in the 800,000 serial number range has been documented with a 827,923 commercial gun shipping in 1941, so possible. It would, however, be stretching per-WWII production and is likely in the 600,000 range. Another 631,XXX shipped in 1931.

If it is a 831,580, I would give a premium as being about the last civilian M&P sold, before wartime production turned the factory into 38 British, Victory, and Lend Lease guns. If very late pre-WWWI production, over $600 would not be a stretch for a gun in as great a condition as your gun appears.

 

[IOwnDoubles]

Upon Closer examination it is a 6 not an 8. Confirmed on barrel and cylinder. So where does it put it in time and value?
Oh by the way, thanks for the help, kind of fascinating. I live in the world of LC smiths and other American doubles so this is kind of interesting.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

1930-31 as previously mentioned.

 

[Retired W4]

After magnifying the serial number they sure look like 8's. But, if the barrel flat and rear of the cylinder show 6 then so be it.

 

[AC Man]

Based on my humble knowledge I would say production was in the early 1930's. I have a couple M & P 38 from the mid 1920's in the serial #571036 and #524688 which do not have the medallions. They were excluded from 1920 to 1929 give or take. Then used again around 1930. The rest of the markings on the frame are exactly like mine.

 

[OFT II]

If the s/n was in the 800,000 series the gun would likely been made with a lanyard ring.