Post War M&P 38 special

[scannerman]

Hi all,

Sorry to have to ask, but I have no other means of finding out. I have a S&W revolver I'd like to find out any info about. I'd appreciate finding out approximately how old it is. The serial number on the bottom of the butt is S 927xxx. The same number is also stamped on the inside face of the cylinder, and also under the barrel and behind the extractor. Where the crane closes is the number 97546, and right above that number is what appears to be a letter C. Slightly above and to the left of the C is the number 2. There are 3 screws holding the side plate on, plus one in front of the trigger guard, and it's stamped "Made in the USA" next to the last screw on the right in the side plate. Smith and Wesson is on the left side of the barrel and 38 S&W Special CTG on the right side. Fixed sites, and the front site is rounded. Rifling and overall condition is good, except for a few small rust spots.

I know it's probably not related, but it came with a VERY old holster, which appears to be early military issue, with U.S., in an oval, on the flap and some numbers too hard to read on the back.

Thanks so much in advance for any information.

S.

 

[skeezix]

Hi scanner,

Welcome to SWF. You have a post-war M&P, also called a "pre-model 10". There should also be another side-plate screw under the right grip panel at the rear which makes it a "5-screw". If the grips are original to the gun, the numeric part of the serial number will be stamped into the right panel and the grips will be of the "diamond magna" style.

The numbers on the frame behind the crane are assembly/assembler numbers and mean nothing. The gun may have a "straight" exjector rod, or it may have a "knob" on the end.

The action may be a "long-throw" with a "hump-back" looking hammer, or it may have a more modern looking hammer. Some of these guns were made with parts left over from the war years and new production parts intended for the post-war guns. These are called "transitional" models.

Your gun's serial number indicates it was shipped in the 1945-1948 time frame. I have s/n S943xxx (pictured below) which was shipped in December 1947.


I can't speak to the holster, but it may be of the same time period as the gun.

Please post a picture of your gun/holster - we like pictures.

 

[scannerman]

Skeezix,

Thanks so much for the quick, and very helpful reply. I appreciate it very much. I'll try and get some pics of it up as soon as I can. It does have a small knob on the end of the ejector rod as you mentioned. I'll check later today for the number on the inside of the grip. They are the wood diamond magna type grips. Also, I'm guessing it's safe to say that this particular revolver is a bit too old to use +P ammo in?

I managed to track down the holster on the internet. It's made by Cathey Enterprises, and is made for a 1911 model Colt. They were made during the years of the Vietnam war, so it's obviously a good bit newer than the revolver. However, it's showing it's age much more than the gun!

That's a very nice looking revolver you have. Mine isn't quite that nice looking, but will probably no doubt look much better once I clean it up some.

Thank you again so much, both for the info and the nice welcome to the forum.

S.

 

[scannerman]

Update: After looking at the ejector rod again, it isn't a knob on the end, just knurled. It needs a good cleaning. Anyone out there have any recommendations as to what would be the best to use?

Thanks again.

 

[Tony Days]

Hi everyone,

I have a similiar revolver with a closer serial number, no stamped model but now I know is a M&P "pre-model 10" or "transitional" thanks to this tread and specially to Skeezix. I think this revolver looks in very good condition almost "unfired".

Here some pictures, oiginal and pachmayr grips