What do I have?

[s&wchad]

I'm guessing that at one point it had some type of a butt swivel/lanyard attached and the SN was stamped on the side like this K-22 Outdoorsman that left the factory like this...

... at some point, someone decided that they did not want the lanyard and tapped and filled the hole with a screw...

My thoughts on this mystery...

Could be, but there are two holes on the butt of the OP's gun. Did S&W ever make a lanyard swivel that attached at two points?

 

[Bamp]

Updatedpicture

Pictures of unidentified proof/acceptance/inspector's mark and unit number.

 

[Truckman]

In studying the image, I come up with the acronym "MVW," the only remotely relevant listing for which being "Massen-Vernichtungs-Waffen," the German equivalent of "Weapons of Mass Destruction"...Combining it with S&W, Mr. Google takes me here and the curious Model 29 QSPR "tunnel gun" discussed by Supica and Nahas in SCSW...

There's probably no correlation here, but it was an interesting side trip for me......Ben

 

[Pizza Bob]

I make it to be the letters JMW with the M taking precedence in the center and the J to the left and M to the right. Looked at Google Images and found nothing.

The mystery continues.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[38crackerjack]

If the stamp forward of the side plate is a monogram, I see JWM in the circle. Common monogram engraving has the last name initial superimposed over, or between first and middle initials.

 

[John020]

I'm a little bit confused !

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I hope you don't mind, but I couldn't read the frontstrap stamp. The number is meaningless to me. However, the work is highly professional except for the refinish. I'm wondering if this was mounted as a display...perhaps a trophy, salesman's display or a museum? The "logo stamp" is vaguely familiar but I can't place it.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

BAMP, would you post a well-lighted picture of the left side of the grip frame?

 

[Bamp]

Updatedpicture - .38/32 Terrier

The only markings on left side

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Well I was hoping for something more there but I still believe the work was done outside of the factory. I also agree with Crackerjack and others that the stamp is a monogram.

 

[s&wchad]

I make it to be the letters JMW with the M taking precedence in the center and the J to the left and M to the right.

According to Proofhouse, there was a US Inspector in the 1920-30's named James W. McCoy. It says he was responsible for Colt .38 Revolvers. I have no idea what his inspection stamp looked like, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

The gun seems to date to the mid-30's.

 

[Bamp]

My question would be why would a firearm with a Unit/Department/inventory number stamped on the frontstrap be monogramed?

The picture is of an acceptance stamp on a Colt 1911 manufactured in the 1920s

 

[Wiregrassguy]

You are presuming this gun was used by military or law enforcement. I suppose it is possible but a Terrier is not a typical M&P handgun. What we need is for handejector to come along and tell us what is obvious that we are missing.

 

[rincar]

I am of the opinion that you have a modified and Re barreled or shortened barrel Regulation Police. the workman ship appears to be excellent. Except for the muzzle of the barrel. It appears that the grip frame has been modified. As far as the screws in the but of the Revolver I have no idea of what they are far.

 

[rincar]

The Regulation Police revolvers were serial numbered on the Front of the grip strap. Because the Grips covered the bottom of the frame.

 

[gmborkovic]

That pic of the left side of the frame shows the main spring.
Does it look like it is sitting correctly in the frame?

 

[Muley Gil]

That pic of the left side of the frame shows the main spring.
Does it look like it is sitting correctly in the frame?

No, it doesn't look like the foot of the mainspring is seated in the notch.

 

[Waveski]

Good eye - not seared properly.
Looks too short… Wrong spring, or another modification?