S prefix M&P 38- I'm confused

[refill1961]

I recently bought a S&W M&P .38 revolver and I would like to learn more about it. After looking and looking and reading and reading thread after thread, I'm more confused than ever. The threads contain so much guessing and speculating that I can't determine what is accurate info and what's not. This revolver is not in the best condition but it's not terrible either. It's nickel plated with a six inch barrell it has the plugged lanyard hole in the butt and it has the popular grip with the diamond around the screw. The serial number is S 81900X. Can anyone tell me anything about it without adding to my confusion? I got a great deal on the gun but I wish I could find out how great.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! This model with the S prefix was produced from 1945 to '48, and this one is from the earlier part of this time frame. Others here track serial number blocks and production runs, but I think a 6" nickel gun from this time frame is unusual.

Does it have the serial number stamped on the barrel flat and rear cylinder face? You may see the number on the inside right stock panel also. Close-up photos would help to determine if the finish is original, which would be a big factor in a value estimate. Hope this is helpful.

 

[merl67]

First off what exactly does the caliber say on the side of the barrel? With that serial number it should be a late 1940's model that used a victory frame left over from war production. As far as how great a deal depends on what you gave and condition and if all serial numbers match including grips others more skilled will be along to help.

 

[Absalom]

Wait for JP@AK to notice the thread, and you shall not be confused any longer. I think I know what you have, but he has much better data and a lot more experience. He is our resident specialist for S-prefix M&P's.
Until then, check the things Alan suggested.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome aboard!

All the following affect the value:

As Alan posted, 1st thing to do is establish if it was an original nickel gun from the factory.

NOTE: 'B' or 'N' stamp by itself on left side grip frame on post war models indicates an original Blue finish or an original Nickel finish based upon the corresponding letter. The occasional absence of either the 'B' or 'N' can also indicate that it left the factory nickeled.

Then if it was originally nickel, to determine if has it been re-nickeled: it has been if the trigger, hammer and extractor star are nickeled.

It's clearly an early post war example because of the 1930s/war time "barrel" style extractor knob. Is it stamped with MADE IN U.S.A. on right front lower frame or does it have a 4 line address?

Next thing to check is matching serial #s in all of these 6 early post war serial # locations:
NOTE: Observing serial #s for accuracy or even existence, especially on penciled stocks, requires magnification, bright light, and an attitude that it is there!

1. Gun butt - (or forestrap on I frames/single shots with grips that cover the butt)

2. Barrel - bottom of barrel or in extractor shroud

3. Yoke - on rear face only visible thru a chamber with a flashlight

4. Extractor star - backside

5. Cylinder - rear face

6. Right stock only - stamped on back

Once we know those details, then we can start talking value.

 

[DWalt]

Yours is an M&P which very likely shipped in June 1946. Nickeled M&Ps from this period are not common. You might want to see if a capital N is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder on on the frip frame under the grips. That would indicate an original factory nickel finish The S prefix indicates that it has the improved hammer drop safety first incorporated in early 1945. Your pictures are lacking enough quality to see much detail, but if the hammer and trigger are also plated, that is a sure indication that the nickel finish was not done at the factory. S series M&Ps are not as common as other SN blocks, only about 180,000 were made from 1946-48. It may well have a plugged lanyard swivel hole in the butt.

 

[JP@AK]

Hi "refill" and welcome to the Forum.

As others have said, you have an early postwar .38 Military & Police revolver. It very likely left the factory in late May or early June, 1946. That is based on other nearby serial numbers, but since S&W did not ship guns in serial order, it would have to be confirmed by a factory authentication letter to be certain.

The nickel finish, if original, would be fairly unusual, but certainly not unheard of. I show at least three with factory nickel finish having lower serial numbers than yours, as well as two other early nickel guns that probably have original finish.

The 6" barrel is also less common in this serial range than 4" and 5" barrels.

The plugged swivel hole is not surprising at this serial number, since most examples I've found below S820xxx have this feature. That is about the time this feature begins to disappear. A few still show up as high as S85xxxx, but by that time they are quite scarce.

Anyway, this appears to be a nice find. If you can post some photos that show us a closer view, we might be able to tell you more. As Jim noted, you should remove the stocks to see if the serial number is impressed into the wood on the inside of the right stock panel. If it matches the one on the butt, those are the original stocks for your revolver.

 

[refill1961]

The S/N is stamped on the butt, on the barrell flat, on the rear cylinder face and on the inside right stock panel. The side of the barrel reads "38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG". There is an "N" stamp by itself on the left side grip frame. The trigger, hammer and extractor star are NOT nickeled. It is stamped with "MADE IN USA" on the right front lower frame. The serial numbers are present in all six locations and all match. There is a capital "N" stamped on the rear cylinder face and on the left side of the frame under the grip. It has a plugged lanyard swivel hole in the butt. Based on the info you all have provided, I am satisfied that I have a prize find. The nickel is factory applied and is origonal. The matching S/N on the 6" barrel would indicate that it too was origonal, both of which are "unusual" and that's good news for me. I'd like to sincerely thank each and everyone of you that took the time to read my post and supply clear, precise info in return. It comes as no surprise that people who belong to the Smith & Wesson forum are as solid as a Smith & Wessoin firearm. You all have made me feel very good already. How do you think I did if I paid $160.00. Here's more, closer and hopefully better pics. Again, Thank you all very much. Please feel free to add anything you choose including any estimates of value. Like I said, it's not in the best shape but it's a Smith & Wesson.

 

[refill1961]

 

[refill1961]

 

[Hondo44]

Bravo!! You probably paid 1/5th of its value or less, just my guess.

And I think there's an APB out for your arrest.....

 

[JP@AK]

Wonderful to have confirmation of the nickel plate being original. This is a nice find and has been added to my research notes.

One item on which your pictures are particularly helpful is the medallion retaining washers. You have added data on a very narrow window in which the machined washers with a blued finish appear on postwar style stocks. I have found this to be the case fairly consistently in the S818xxx to S820xxx range. After that the configuration disappears, never to recur.

As for the value, your pictures are really too blurry for us to determine the actual condition of the finish. However, I'm going to estimate that this gun would fetch around $450-$500 today. If the finish is better than it looks, that number could rise. Conversely if it is worse, the number would, of course, go down.

In any case, it was a steal at $160!