Question on the finish of an early C Prefix M&P

[Whatnickname]

I am considering the purchase of a low serial number M&P (C 19XXX). Based on what I see on line about the use of the C prefix, I suspect that this revolver was manufactured in 1948. The question I have is the finish which I could only describe as utilitarian. It's not the brushed finish of the war time V models but it does not have quite the shine of the standard blue S series revolvers. Based on the pictures I have seen of the revolver, there are none of the tell tale signs of any after market refinishing...edges are sharp and none of the letters appear to have been raised. I have attached a picture. Factory finish? Factory refinish? Armory refinish? Has anyone seen a factory finish like this?

 

[Tom Kent]

I have a 1948 M&P that has a similar finish.

 

[DWalt]

During the post-WWII period, S&W used the dull matte blue finish for most of their revolvers, except for the .357 Magnum (later the Model 27). Yours probably shipped during the summer of 1948. I think S&W would perform the high-polished blued finish at extra cost for those who wanted it badly enough. I doubt many did.

 

[JP@AK]

Hard to say from the one picture, but it very well could be the original finish. You might post a photo of the right side. The sideplate seam is one of the best tests for spotting a refinish.

C19000 surely fits into the production run for 1948. C1 was assembled on March 22, 1948. Of course, shipping of your gun could have been the following year, but I doubt it stuck around that long. These guns were in demand at the time. By April, 1949, they were already up to C58000.

 

[wheelgun610]

I agree that another pic or two might shed more light on whether it's refinished - or not. The finish almost looks too dark in that shot, but it could be the lighting....

Mark

 

[Absalom]

As others said, the post-war blue was less polished, but from that one picture, this gun looks considerably less reflective than even the "matte" post-war blue. The color also seems off, but then, it's just one picture.

Attached : 1947 example

 

[iskra]

Hardly qualified to comment here. But logically, moving away from wartime finish... The 1948 gun in question, also even reflecting newer hammer style. Yet, contrasting inference suggested by 1947 vintage photo, suggesting chronologically retrograde finish.

Wondering if the subject gun was perhaps part of a special order; finish du jour. Such, alternative to otherwise seeming refinish-probable 'other shoe' of the inference.
Just an uninformed/questioning...
My take

 

[ars1876]

Mine is serial #C24966 and has a similar finish.

 

[Whatnickname]

JP@AK and Wheelgun

The requested picture of the side plate has been attached. If this puppy has been refinished I sure can't see any of the signs that would suggest such treatment. Your thoughts?

 

[JP@AK]

The seam does look pretty good. Is it just as tight at the foremost end, where the small curve is? If so, I'd have to say it hasn't been monkeyed with.

 

[Absalom]

Based on the second picture, I believe a refinish is more likely. The seam along the back of the recoil shield doesn't look very neat, and the scratch pattern that goes partly across the logo looks (at least in this second photo) finished over.

 

[wheelgun610]

.... Factory finish? Factory refinish? Armory refinish? Has anyone seen a factory finish like this?

The gun is definitely refinished, and not by S&W. Looks to have a ding on the side plate that runs into the monogram, and it appears to have been reblued over that ding. Very little color on the hammer is an indication of it not being a factory original finish.

Mark

 

[JP@AK]

Absalom and wheelgun610 forced me to look again. In addition to their observations, it seems to me that the bottom sideplate screw is set in a dished hole. That, too, would argue for a refinish.

It probably isn't relevant (although it might be) but the top sideplate screw has been munged by the use of an incorrect screwdriver blade. Somebody who was not a S&W technician has had that screw out of the gun.