S&W .38 Model Identification

[Papa_Sebe]

Hello all,

I am hoping someone might be able to help me my S&W "snub nose" .38 spl.. I spoke with S&W and all the only information that they could provide was the mfg date range, which is 48-51. Was this model a prototype? And could anyone speculate on the value.
**Not sure how to upload a photo**

Model #: Y0 or V0
Serial #: C161304
Cal: 38 SPC CTG
Barrel Length: 2"
Sights: Just a groove in the frame.

 

[Doug M.]

The "model #" is probably some fitter's mark from the factory; this was made before S&W came up with model #s. I am going to guess that this is a post war M&P in .38 Special, predecessor to what we know as the model 10. It is a fixed sight revolver with a 6 shot cylinder.

I suspect a really knowledgeable nerd will come along soon and fill in/correct my guesses.

 

[Papa_Sebe]

Thank you for the information. So the M&P's were not marked?

 

[daddio202]

No S&W revolvers were marked before 1957. That's when they came up with model # system and began to mark them. Before then the models had longer names such as yours - .38 Military & Police.Before 1942 all the way back to 1915 they were known in catalogs as a - .38 Military & Police model of 1905 4th change.

 

[DWalt]

No S&W revolvers were marked before 1957. That's when they came up with model # system and began to mark them. Before then the models had longer names such as yours - .38 Military & Police.Before 1942 all the way back to 1915 they were known in catalogs as a - .38 Military & Police model of 1905 4th change.

After around 1915, S&W ceased using the “Model of 1905/1902” terminology. And S&W never used “changes” in their nomenclature at any time. The K-frames became just the M&P model, either round butt or square butt. Model numbering began in 1957.

There were only a relatively few 2” barrel .38 M&Ps made prior to and during WWII, and those in high condition are prized as collectibles. Those made in the postwar era, and that includes yours, are much more common. Yours appears original and not abused. My guess on a value would be around $650-$700. Those in the earlier S series are more desirable and would likely bring $100-$200 more. Some would call yours a “pre-Model 10.” But that is an unofficial collector’s term, not used by S&W.

 

[JP@AK]

Serial #: C161304
Cal: 38 SPC CTG
Barrel Length: 2"

It's a .38 Military & Police revolver. It very likely left the factory in 1951. Here are a couple serial numbers with ship dates that bracket yours:

C156783 2” shipped on October 26, 1951
C162790 4” shipped on March 21 1951

Actual model-marked M&P revolvers (Model 10) did not show up until about the C438000 range, shipping in the summer of 1958.

 

[Alk8944]

The VO is a "fitters mark", to identify who assembled the gun. It is of use only to the factory.

The 2" Military and Police was first introduced in 1935, so the gun is hardly a "Prototype"! Why would you think that? It is a post WWII gun between 1946 and early 1950s. I would trust Jack's (JK@AK) estimate of 1951, and his other remarks.

Prior to 1958 S&Ws were only known as "Named Models". After 1958 they became "model marked", this would become the Model 10. Either designation is still correct, model numbers did not replace the model name.

 

[Papa_Sebe]

The reason I thought the revolver was a prototype was due to what I was told from a conversation with S&W, back before the internet.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the information provided. You guys have been very helpful!!

 

[DWalt]

The reason I thought the revolver was a prototype was due to what I was told from a conversation with S&W, back before the internet.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the information provided. You guys have been very helpful!!

S&W was a little late to the party with a .38 Special snubby revolver. Colt came out first, around 1927, with the Colt Detective Special, which was simply the Colt Police Positive Special with a 2” barrel. It quickly became very popular with police and the general public. It wasn’t until the mid-1930s that S&W came out with a somewhat similar but slightly larger 2”-barreled version of the M&P. And not very enthusiastically, as they were not manufactured in any significant quantity until after WWII. I suppose one could say that those few pre-war S&W M&P snubbies could be considered as prototypes for postwar M&P snubby production.