Trying to Identify a S&W 38 Special

[epidoc]

A friend just picked up a post war S&W in 38 Special that has me puzzled. The serial number is in the C48000 range, and all parts match. The frame appears to be an K frame. The barrel is 4 inches long with the half moon front sight. The serial number is on the barrel, cylinder and frame.

What has me puzzled is that the grip area is rounded much like you see on a Chief's special. I could not find one like this in the Standard Catalog.

I would appreciate any information on this one.

 

[cgt4570]

Some post-war M&Ps were produced with round butts, or it's possible that some gunsmith turned it into a round butt from a square butt. I have a set of hardened metal paterns that you mount on a square butt to follow with your file to do just that. If you post pics of the gun with the grips removed, we could tell you if it's been modified or if it's original.

 

[JSR III]

See page 143 in the third edition. The round butt versions came out in late 1947. It should also have the 4 line address as opposed to just MADE IN USA.

 

[hsguy]

Here are a couple of round butt post-war MP's.

 

[epidoc]

Thanks for the quick response and the reference to the relevant paragraph in the Standard Catalog. The grips are identical to those in the picture. My friend thought the rounded butt meant he had turn of the century pistol. Oh well he only paid $150 for it.

 

[hsguy]

Joseph, check the inside of the right grip to see if it is numbered to the gun.

 

[okie john]

If it's in decent shape, then he paid about 30-50% of its value.


Okie John

 

[Casehardn]

M&P

Postwar M&P.
Between 1947 and 1951.
They changed to the serrated ramp front site in 1952.