Unusual "Birthday" gun

[JP@AK]

As many of you are aware I have, for about the last 7 years, been diligently studying the early postwar M&Ps (S prefix). Among the two dozen or so that live in my safe, one is my favorite (pictured below). I've owned it for about 12 years, but finally got around to requesting a letter from Roy. It arrived today.

I've known for a long time (courtesy of Dr. Jinks) that it left the factory in March, 1946. That month basically saw the beginning of postwar shipments.

Today I got the "rest of the story." This revolver, serial number S814325, left Springfield for Duluth, MN on the day my mother turned 25 years old. I thought that was rather cool. Come November, it will be ten years since I laid Mom to rest, but I had her "birthday gun" when she was still with us. I just didn't know it.

 

[Lee Barner]

Jack, that is really special. thanks for sharing. lee

 

[tenntex32]

You know I like those post WWII M&P examples utilizing the leftover Victory frames still having the lanyard loops or plugged lanyard loop holes...……….now I like it even more.

Most certainly it will hold a very special place in your collection now.

Here's to the memory of your mother,
Dale

 

[quinn]

So, Jack, how close is it to your birth year gun? Neat story!

 

[Babysitr]

I like 'em also....that is a real nice special revolver...Beautiful

 

[JP@AK]

So, Jack, how close is it to your birth year gun?

Less than four years. My folks were high school sweethearts, but they didn't get married until after Dad returned from Europe. I was born between the wars and was a couple years old when he was called back up for Korea.

 

[JP@AK]

Here's to the memory of your mother

Thank you, Dale.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Super cool story! Congrats on finding that tidbit and connecting the dots.

 

[paplinker]

Curious, Do these grips have prewar discs on the back?

With the gun being so early I thought it may.

 

[JP@AK]

Curious, Do these grips have prewar discs on the back?

Yes. See pic below. These are the machined washers, in the white. The checking is also the prewar style, which you probably noticed.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

That's a terrific story, Jack. Thanks for sharing with us.

Cheers to Moms!

 

[Walter Rego]

JP@AK, was the dealer in Duluth MN by chance Marshall-Wells Co. ? I have one of the Colt Woodsmans that was assembled from leftover prewar parts and shipped there on 11/14/46.

I can imagine that in that first full year following WWII that guns were flying out of the factories as fast as they could make them and were met with a very anxious to buy customer population.

 

[JP@AK]

was the dealer in Duluth MN by chance Marshall-Wells Co.?

Yes, it was.