Updated with letter Nickel 38 Special 2 inch barrel/Rare or Not

[Bulldog00111]

First post and new member. I have a nickel plated 38 special with a 2 inch barrel. S# 625###. I am waiting on the Factory letter. What’s the experts opinion. Picture shows after market grips but found the originals in a box that belonged to my dad. Thank you

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! Post a picture of the other side of the gun and the original stocks. It appears to be a pre-war snub which is rather scarce.

 

[chiefdave]

Post war 2" round butt in nickel with original grips is beyond rare
if it letters as such. If that box is the S&W original even better. The stag stocks a high dollar bonus. I've been looking for a S prefix round butt for over 10 years.

 

[Bulldog00111]

Was told it was probably a pre war not shipped out until 1946. Other photos must have been deleted in my phone but here are a few

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That picture indicates the gun was refinished in nickel because the rebound slide stud is polished flat. Look under the barrel on the extractor rod flat to see if a "B" is stamped before the serial number...which should match the serial on the butt and cylinder. If a B is there, the gun left the factory with a blue finish.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! It appears to be a 2" barrel .38 Military & Police with a prewar range serial number, a scarce gun. As you know more than a few were not sold/shipped until after WW II. Please share the letter information once you receive it?

 

[Bulldog00111]

That picture indicates the gun was refinished in nickel because the rebound slide stud is polished flat. Look under the barrel on the extractor rod flat to see if a "B" is stamped before the serial number...which should match the serial on the butt and cylinder. If a B is there, the gun left the factory with a blue finish.

I’ll check when I get home. That’s not good if it was. I don’t remember off hand seeing a B

 

[chiefdave]

Post war 2" round butt in nickel with original grips is beyond rare
if it letters as such. If that box is the S&W original even better. The stag stocks a high dollar bonus. I've been looking for a S prefix round butt for over 10 years.

My bad. I mistook the OP's S# 625xxx as S625xxx. Defiantly pre war but still nice. I get a little light headed at the possibility of a post war round butt revolver

 

[Retired W4]

My bad. I mistook the OP's S# 625xxx as S625xxx. Defiantly pre war but still nice. I get a little light headed at the possibility of a post war round butt revolver

Just take a deep breath and relax. You're going to be OK.

 

[handejector]

Nice looking gun. I'd love to see lots more good pics.

Picture shows after market grips but found the originals in a box that belonged to my dad.

Are the original grips wood or black hard rubber?

Was told it was probably a pre war not shipped out until 1946.

Where did you get that info?

That picture indicates the gun was refinished in nickel because the rebound slide stud is polished flat.

I can't see ANY other sign of a refinish, so I'll hold off on calling it refinished.It looks sharp and crisp. IF it shipped postwar I would expect the stud to be flat.

 

[wordsmith]

There was a group of 10 prewar serial-number 2" round-butt nickel M&P's shipped to Sports Inc., Chicago IL, on Sept. 23, 1946. As far as is known, they had been sorted into parts ready to build complete guns, but were not assembled and finished until the war had ended, and thus have the postwar flat-polished rebound slide studs. These 10 guns were serial numbered between 625801-625820.

No way to know for sure if the OP's specimen is one of these without a letter, unless it's number is either 625801 or 625820 - or 625809, which I have owned for 15+ years
David

 

[handejector]

I took the liberty of copying your post to this thread:
Early Post War 2" M&Ps made with Prewar Parts
It appears as your post.

There was a group of 10 prewar serial-number 2" round-butt nickel M&P's shipped to Sports Inc., Chicago IL, on Sept. 23, 1946. As far as is known, they had been sorted into parts ready to build complete guns, but were not assembled and finished until the war had ended, and thus have the postwar flat-polished rebound slide studs. These 10 guns were serial numbered between 625801-625820.

No way to know for sure if the OP's specimen is one of these without a letter, unless it's number is either 625801 or 625820.

David

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I can't see ANY other sign of a refinish, so I'll hold off on calling it refinished.It looks sharp and crisp. IF it shipped postwar I would expect the stud to be flat.

And if post-war, shouldn't there be an N under the barrel, on the left side of the grip frame and the rear face of the cylinder?

 

[Bulldog00111]

Appreciate all the info. As soon as I get the letter I will let you know.

 

[handejector]

Tell us more of the number?
Is it in the 625800 range?

 

[Bulldog00111]

6256xx. My dad had bought it from I believe a Highland Park Mi police Officer. Don’t know if it had been his personal or duty gun

 

[Model19man]

Pictures resized and rotated to right side up.

Those are some tiny pictures!

 

[Bulldog00111]

Checked for a B and didn’t see one. Found a N when I removed the grips. Also the original grips are black rubber

 

[Elroy]

is the op saying there is no N under the ejector

 

[Retired W4]

No picture of the barrel flat (bottom of the barrel). If it is stamped N somebody do a welfare check on chiefdave.