Need help with nickel K-frame

[Checkpoint Charlie]

A local gun shop has an old S&W hand ejector in .38 special. It is nickel plated and in very rough shape but mechanically tight. It has a 5 inch barrel, it's a 5-screw, and has round, half-moon front sight. On the butt is the letter C, then a good inch of space, then a six digit number, 308246. Is the C part of the serial number? If so, it would date to mid 50's. If not, it looks like it would be a pre-war gun. Can someone clarify? Is a 5-inch nickel M&P rare or just uncommon? Thanks for your help.

Charlie

 

[Muley Gil]

The "C" is definitely part of the SN.

5" revolvers are nice. I have a few myself-both K and N frames.

 

[murphydog]

For nearly all S & W revolvers nickel finishes were a small minority of production (.32/38 Double Action and Safety Hammerless seem to be exceptions). A general rule for most models is about 10% of production, but this is a guesstimate at best. This one sounds pretty worn.

 

[gmborkovic]

"5" ins. are not commonly encountered. There have been books written on "rare". Rough nickel, what price? Grips? SB or RB? Pic is probably not possible. C should be correct in Sn.

 

[Checkpoint Charlie]

Thanks to all for clarification. The asking price is $299. It is a square butt and definitely not the original grips, I think it had Pachmayr's on it.

Charlie

 

[DWalt]

C277,555 – C314,031….…1954 – 56 (manufacture)
The problem with a nickel finish is that when it goes, it looks very ugly. But that doesn't affect its functionality as a shooter. If I wanted it, I'd probably try to get the seller to come down by $50-$75. Last year, I bought one similar to that (but pre-war) with a fairly nasty nickel finish (but with a pair of 1930s factory grips) for $225. I would have passed it by had it not had the factory grips.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Nickel should be marked N

If that revolver is factory nickel, it should be marked with an "N". Look at the s/n under the barrel, and on the grip. If there is no N, then it was plated sometime after manufacture.

 

[Jack Flash]

...The problem with a nickel finish is that when it goes, it looks very ugly. But that doesn't affect its functionality as a shooter. ...

Agree, once nickel goes, it looks hideous. Besides, the description given includes "very rough shape".

Normally I would say "$300 for any K-Frame in good working order is a fair deal", but ... I don't really care for nickel even if it is perfect, so I would definitely pass on one in very rough shape. I would only consider it if I had some really specific need (keeping it in the truck, in the boat, or out in the barn, or possibly as a house gun if I didn't already have one). Even then, I would bargain for a lower price.