I was perusing a local shop today and ran across an old .38. The hang tag had it listed as a model 10, but I think it is too old for a model number (I did not notice a model number on the crane, but I really was not looking for one). The ejector rod was unshrouded, the hammer & ejector rod looked like some that are pictured on 2nd and 3rd change m&ps. It had target stocks with a football cut out, so I know they are not original. But they did effectively block the serial number. The hang tag listed a five digit serial number (42126, if I recall correctly). The bluing on the frame and barrel looked really good, except for an area on the end of the barrel starting at the muzzle and going back about 1/2 inch. As you look at the muzzle it is at the three o'clock postion. And immediately behind the front sight are the factory stamped barrel markings. Two lines, running right along the top of the barrel. I did not get to look a whole lot closer, as it was the staff lunch time and I didn't want to take up a lot of their time. So to my questions, Is possible/likely that someone has turned the barrel in for some reason and relocated the front sight accordingly? And any guesses what it might really be? What should I look for to definitely identify it? I kinda like the thought of having it for a unique shooter, especially if it has some age to it, but I would like to more positively ID it and haggle the price down, he was askin $430, I thought that was pretty high. Especially if the barrel has indeed been monkeyed with. Any hints or suggestions on how to tell what it is would surely be appreciated.
Question about an old 38 m&p
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I was perusing a local shop today and ran across an old .38. The hang tag had it listed as a model 10, but I think it is too old for a model number (I did not notice a model number on the crane, but I really was not looking for one). The ejector rod was unshrouded, the hammer & ejector rod looked like some that are pictured on 2nd and 3rd change m&ps. It had target stocks with a football cut out, so I know they are not original. But they did effectively block the serial number. The hang tag listed a five digit serial number (42126, if I recall correctly). The bluing on the frame and barrel looked really good, except for an area on the end of the barrel starting at the muzzle and going back about 1/2 inch. As you look at the muzzle it is at the three o'clock postion. And immediately behind the front sight are the factory stamped barrel markings. Two lines, running right along the top of the barrel. I did not get to look a whole lot closer, as it was the staff lunch time and I didn't want to take up a lot of their time. So to my questions, Is possible/likely that someone has turned the barrel in for some reason and relocated the front sight accordingly? And any guesses what it might really be? What should I look for to definitely identify it? I kinda like the thought of having it for a unique shooter, especially if it has some age to it, but I would like to more positively ID it and haggle the price down, he was askin $430, I thought that was pretty high. Especially if the barrel has indeed been monkeyed with. Any hints or suggestions on how to tell what it is would surely be appreciated.
A little light on information to venture a guess. What did the barrel markings say? Is there a letter in front of the serial number? (on the gun, not the tag). Was there a locking lug for the ejector rod? What is the specific caliber marking? Sorry...more questions than answers, but if you can get the answers, we can tell you what it is.
Just a little light !
Get the serial number - look on the back of the cylinder, and the underside of the barrel.
That number you have sounds like the assembly number.
And measure the barrel length - from the front of the cylinder to the front of the barrel.
Later, Mike Priwer
Get the serial number - look on the back of the cylinder, and the underside of the barrel.
That number you have sounds like the assembly number.
And measure the barrel length - from the front of the cylinder to the front of the barrel.
Later, Mike Priwer
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
It is a very common error for dealers to mislabel 38 Handejectors, (Military and Police) as Model 10. Very common. The Military and Police model is often known as the pre-Model 10.
Very generally speaking, if it is a Model 10 it will say so under the cylinder crane. MOD 10 or MOD 10-3 or something similar. Any other number is an assembly number. If it is a Model 10 the serial number will only appear on the bottom of the butt. As Mike says, If it is an M&P the SN will show up in four places; the bottom of the butt, the rear of the cylinder, the bottom of the barrel, and under the extractor star.
The front sight on these revolvers was an integral part of the barrel. It would be prohibitively expensive to turn the barrel and mount a new front sight. The markings are most likely where they were when it left the factory. Somebody more knowledgeable than me can fill you in on when the markings were relocated.
$430 does sound a bit high for an old M&P, but prices are going up. Around these parts not too long ago you could easily find them for $200. Now they are starting to push $300. Around these parts more than that is too much unless it is something really special. Of course price does vary from region to region.
It is a very common error for dealers to mislabel 38 Handejectors, (Military and Police) as Model 10. Very common. The Military and Police model is often known as the pre-Model 10.
Very generally speaking, if it is a Model 10 it will say so under the cylinder crane. MOD 10 or MOD 10-3 or something similar. Any other number is an assembly number. If it is a Model 10 the serial number will only appear on the bottom of the butt. As Mike says, If it is an M&P the SN will show up in four places; the bottom of the butt, the rear of the cylinder, the bottom of the barrel, and under the extractor star.
The front sight on these revolvers was an integral part of the barrel. It would be prohibitively expensive to turn the barrel and mount a new front sight. The markings are most likely where they were when it left the factory. Somebody more knowledgeable than me can fill you in on when the markings were relocated.
$430 does sound a bit high for an old M&P, but prices are going up. Around these parts not too long ago you could easily find them for $200. Now they are starting to push $300. Around these parts more than that is too much unless it is something really special. Of course price does vary from region to region.
Thanks for the responses, I am going back tomorrow. I will attempt to get a clear photo of the barrel and ascertain any other markings, serial number etc. To the best of my recollection, there was a locking lug on the barrel at the front of the ejector rod. I will get better info, it might just find a new home tomorrow. Again, thanks and I will get more/better information.
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