S prefex what was it put on -frame size}

[walter o]

I have a question about a K frame revolver S/N S- 989833
I cant figure the age or what it is
38 S&W special
4"bbl.
ramp front sighr
notch rear sight
large logo onside plate ,1 line address forward of trigger guard
5 screw + main spring screw
inside it has flag type hammer block
hammer has old style (wide)SA fly
HELP i am confused with this

 

[Alk8944]

S serial number prefix applies to both K-frame and N-frame guns depending on period.

 

[alwslate]

I think from the mid 40s after the war to early 50s when the prefix was changed to the C prefix when S numbers reached one million. Checked my reference book and saw that the S prefix numbers reached the one million mark in 1948 and then the C prefix was used so your high number S prefix is probably 1948 production.

 

[mh51]

The one line address on the frame narrows it down. It was only used from about 1946-1948, and then it was changed to the 4 line address. The S prefix on the serial # means that it has hammer block safety designed during WWII.

 

[Muley Gil]

walter o, you have a .38 Military & Police revolver from the late 1940s. It is a K frame.

 

[DWalt]

You have an S-Series M&P, probably ca. 1947, could be late 1946. Usually referred to as a Postwar M&P. Those went up to about S991xxx. As mentioned, the S refers to the improved hammer drop safety which dates from very early 1945, but those were not sold on the civilian market until early 1946.

 

[murphydog]

The S was a serial number prefix, not a series. The last 10000 of these in the K frame (S990000 to 999999) were the first short action M & P revolvers, not easy to find.

S & W continued the S prefix N frames until 1967, reaching the early 300000s. They could have made nearly 500000 more without duplicating serial numbers with the K frames, but I believe due to GCA ‘68 they switched to the N prefix.

 

[chiefdave]

I have a question about a K frame revolver S/N S- 989833
I cant figure the age or what it is

I have S997575 that shipped in May 1948. I would guess yours is late 1947 or early 1948.

 

[walter o]

Thanks to all post. As usual members came through with help. With my limited knowledge i was lost on this gun

 

[kscharlie]

Walter O, you stated that your gun has a ramp front sight. It should have a half round front sight. I have serial # S985256 shipped in March 1948 with a 6" barrel. Other than barrel length, yours should look just like mine.

If you can, please give us a few pictures of yours.

 

[jcelect]

The S was a serial number prefix, not a series. The last 10000 of these in the K frame (S990000 to 999999) were the first short action M & P revolvers, not easy to find.

S & W continued the S prefix N frames until 1967, reaching the early 300000s. They could have made nearly 500000 more without duplicating serial numbers with the K frames, but I believe due to GCA ‘68 they switched to the N prefix.

In my database I have serial numbers of N frame guns that were shipped in mid to late 1969 with the S serial prefix. The last number with an S prefix was S333454.
jcelect