Pre War M&P questions

[slabuda]

Here is a pre-war M&P I picked up today.

S/N is 6068XX, which from what I researched is anywhere between 1919 and 1941 or there about. The frame, barrel, cylinder, and ejector star all match. The stocks are the 1920's no medallion style and I can see very lightly in a bright light at the right angle the S/N (or at least the last 4 numbers) penciled in. There is also brass "chit" or inventory tagI am guessing inside the stocks. The stocks bar one small section have very good checkering as well.

Blueing is very good except the holster wear along both sides of the barrel and along the back strap. Case hardening of the hammer and trigger is also very good. U.S patent is marked on the hammer. If you look close you can see a faint turn line and little to no marking on the recoil shield bar the mar from the ejector star pin. Bore is bright crisp and shiny. All roll marks are very crisp too.

Lock up, end shake, timing and trigger action seem very tight and very smooth. No pull gauge so no idea what the pull is at. Single action seems a bit heavier than my 1911 4 lb. pull. I am guessing maybe 6 lbs?


Any idea on a more accurate date?

How would condition be graded on the pistol? 80%, 90%?

I dont have a "blue book" so other than trying to find recent auctions I am also curious on value too.

This one may have a nice history behind it. I have a feeling with the inventory tag it was possibly a police etc gun. Many of old police revolvers show high wear on barrel but little wear to show its been shot much. That old saying carried often shot little applies here I think.

Sorry about the low quality pics. Lighting wasnt very good.

 

[slabuda]

grips

Inventory tag

 

[moosedog]

What an interesting revolver. That brass number disc is intriguing.
I'll be staying tuned to find out from the experts. It's certainly inspiring to see these types of firearms show up.

 

[murphydog]

Very nice! The combination of SN and stock style puts it late in the 1920 decade, but with the economic situation at that time it may have shipped later than this. The brass disc inletted into the stock panel is likely an LE or security agency inventory tag; I have not seen one before, but someone else here probably has and will be along shortly.

In terms of percentage grading of finish wear, measurements and opinions are all over the map, even with experienced eyes looking at the same gun. I tend to prefer describing what wear exists (location, degree, depth, etc.), but if I had to choose a number for this one I would guess somewhere between 90 and 95%. It is much better than the average surviving .38 M & P of the era. Enjoy!

 

[slabuda]

I agree on the bras disc. I would place a bet it is a police or security guard inventory tag.

Tend to agree on date as well. The S/N seem close to the late 20's or early 30's. Times were tough and I can see a late 20's gun sitting on the shelf for a while before it shipped. This could be a perfect gun to send out for a letter from Roy Jinks.

Cant wait to get out an put some rounds down it.

Almost the gun I was looking for which is a K-38 Masterpiece.
Hope to find one in as good and original condition as this one.

 

[slabuda]

Anymore idea on narrowing down s/n ship date and condition/value.

Hoping 525 was a Fair price.


Thanks in advance fellas.

 

[DCWilson]

$525 is in my opinion a great price; prewar M&Ps of that quality have been known to sell for $700 or more. The gun looks to be in extremely good condition except for some blue wear along the sides of the barrel. Based on the photos, I would call it about a 96-97% gun. I see nothing that makes me think it has been refinished, and the sharpness of the checking on the stocks is not consistent with a gun that would even need to be reblued.

I'll call 1929 on the date because other M&Ps with nearby serial numbers were being shipped in that year. But if the gun was stuck in inventory for a while, it might not have shipped until 1930 or perhaps even later. Its features (shape of ejector rod knob and lack of medallions on the stocks) are consistent with manufacture in the 1927-1929 period.

Nice one. Relax, you did fine. Shoot it in good health.

 

[glowe]

It is unlikely that gun would have been a standard carry revolver with stocks in perfect condition. 90 year old carried police revolvers would have lots of wear just from the holster and the cloth of the uniform rubbing over the years. They were tools and do not often survive in the condition your revolver unless a professional refinish was done. The right stock was stamped with the serial numbers starting in 1929 and before that, they were written in pencil. Is there a matching serial number in pencil or stamping on the right stock? Maybe that revolver was a bank gun or a security guard revolver? Maybe not even involved in law enforcement?

 

[slabuda]

I can make out under a bright light at the right angle markingd in pencil of the s/n or at least defiantly the last 4 numbers of it And they match.


Really curious about the brass inventory tsg, at least that's what I assume it is.

 

[jmace57]

In most cases, I would have said $525 was too much. In THAT condition, a great deal. Congratulations.

 

[DWalt]

On my SN list I have several M&Ps in the low 6xxxxx range which shipped in 1929, and that tracks with the grip type. I do not believe $525 is a bad price, but from what I see, I would not be tempted by anything much over $425. My opinion. I don't know about the disc inside the grip panel, may well be an inventory number, maybe a company security guard, etc.

 

[slabuda]

As long as its a fair price Im happy. Doesnt need to be a great deal, just fair for both parties.

 

[slabuda]

Shot it in poor conditions for the first time today. Accuracy was surprising considering the gusty winds (30 mph+) and not having target sights.

Very cool to shoot a gun as old as this and have it function as new. Ill e on the look out now for another "pre 10" But in 4" this time. But first Its a K-38 if Im lucky.