Pre Victory ?

[guy sajer]

I think I've found a "pre-Victory" M&P ? It's the standard 38 spl 4" M&P w/lanyard ring . However , I can't find any military markings . Serial 997658 in the usual locations . The only unusual marking is "USA" stamped on the butt forward of the lanyard ring opposite the serial number .
Were these "war plant" guns or ?
Would the USA have been factory applied ?

Thanks for your insight . Sorry , no photos yet .

 

[guy sajer]

I think I've found a "pre-Victory" M&P ? It's the standard 38 spl 4" M&P w/lanyard ring . However , I can't find any military markings . Serial 997658 in the usual locations . The only unusual marking is "USA" stamped on the butt forward of the lanyard ring opposite the serial number .
Were these "war plant" guns or ?
Would the USA have been factory applied ?

Thanks for your insight . Sorry , no photos yet .

 

[digi-shots]

hey Mitch, sounds nice!

It does sound like a pre Victory and perhaps a Defense gun... I guess a factory letter would be the only way to know for sure.

Is it blued or "parkerized" ?

 

[guy sajer]

Originally posted by digi-shots:

Is it blued or "parkerized" ?

I believe it to be a reblue . However the metal underneath is the commercial finish polish . It has a very little "extra" polish from the blue job , but not enough to disturb the markings . Had it been the rough military metal prep , many of the markings would've been damaged .

Thanks

 

[opoefc]

Mitch, The USA would be a post shipment marking and not applied by the factory. You will have to letter the gun to see where it went. Ed.

 

[guy sajer]

Thanks Ed .

In your opinion , is this one approximately March 42 ?

 

[Lee Barner]

mitch, i have one close in ser nr to yours. original blue finish with U.S. in front of the lanyard ring. judging by the finish around and in the letters, it was stamped after the blueing was done. it went to the Defense Supply Corporation in Apr of 42. lee

 

[guy sajer]

Thanks Lee ! I kinda figured it was most likely some sort of govt purchase with a serial number that high .

 

[opoefc]

Mitch, It could be anywhere from Feb. to May. 974626 was shipped 4/30/42, 980448 and 981068 went May 22,1942, 982087 went May 5,1942 and 980453 was also in May '42. S&W was shipping about 5,000 guns per week in this period, and while they were not shipped in serial number order, there is a greater relationship of serial numbers to shipping times than seen for commercial guns. Ed.

 

[guy sajer]

Excellent info . Thanks Ed .