Pre-war factory snub in .38 special

[sar1-1966]

Hi all,

I've had this revolver for quite awhile and have done a decent amount of research. From what I know, I have the real deal. I'm looking to sell it and wanted confirm that it is indeed the scarce S&W I believe it to be. Also what a fair asking price would be for this example.

Its all matching including the grips. Overall the condition is good with a conservative estimate of 85% blue remaining. The bore and cylinder are in excellent shape. It was probably carried a lot but shot very little. There is only a light turn line on the cylinder. There are some light electro pencil markings on the cylinder and in the frame. They are all hidden from view until you open the cylinder. I have no clue why they are there.

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

 

[gmborkovic]

Sn. 625028 would indicate a M&P 1905 4th change, 1930s. Very nice specimen. The pencil engraving would indicate a previous owner or most likely a PD Property room number. Value, tough from a few pics.
See if the grips match the frame.

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Even if the markings are present, I would still rate this as a quite desireable gun.
If the grips match, a bonus.

 

[sar1-1966]

The grips do match

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! You need to letter that gun. You will get the $75 charge back on sale.

 

[gmborkovic]

With the grips matching, you got a winner.

 

[sar1-1966]

Thanks for the info thus far. I was going to get a letter for it, but like a lot of things it just went on the back burner. I'm looking to sell it asap, so I'll leave that up to the new owner.

 

[DWalt]

i list pre-war M&P snubbies with SNs 6250xx and 6255xx shipping in 7/36 and 5/36 respectively, so yours is probably original. The electro-pen markings are indeed unfortunate, but in any condition, pre-war snubbies are very unusual and desirable and will bring some pretty high prices. They could be evidence markings, but could also be about anything else. A letter would be worthwhile to establish that is the real thing.

There have been several estimates on the dating of the pre-war M&P snubbies. I have one note which states that the first shipment was in 11/33, and another note that references a factory letter allegedly saying the first ones were shipped in 1936.

 

[bracebeemer]

The serial numbers for the pre war snubs are all over the place. However my snub with serial number 625400 is the earliest known shipped 2" pre war snub.The order to make 250 2" barrel's went out on July 27th 1933. My gun was shipped 4 months later and as of now is the only one known to have shipped in 1933. I hope this helps.
Bill