What do we have here?

[windypoint]

I always thought this 38 snub that I inherited from my Father in Law was a 1950's era 38 5 shot model 10. My wife bought the S&W gun bible for Christmas and when I ran the serial number, I think it is a lot older. Can anyone shed some light on this 38 M&P. Serial number is 317xx.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Muley Gil]

Are you taking the serial number from the butt of the revolver? Are you including any prefixes, like a "C" or a "D"?

 

[crsides]

Looks like a "baby" chief, assume it is a 38 special ctg and not a 38 S&W ctg.

They were made first couple yrs of the chief special, later to become the model 36 chief spl. It is an early 1950's gun. The M&P was never made in a 5 shot configuration.

Here's a link to discussions on a recent baby chief I found a few weeks ago.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/168549-baby-baby-baby.html


Charlie

 

[scha]

This is not a Model 10. Model 10s are all 6 shot. You have a J Frame or Chief's Special from around 1954.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[s&wchad]

It's a Baby Chiefs Special from the early 1950's (1952-53).


M&P's are 6 shot K frames and that's a J frame.

 

[windypoint]

Thanks for the quick replies. There are no other prefix letters. I will look it up under the chief's special.

 

[pwhphd]

Baby Chief's Special

Be cautious about replacement grips. Some early Baby Chief's Special have grips that are about 1/8th inch shorter than a regular J-frame.

 

[dacoontz]

Also known as a pre-36. Looks good.

 

[windypoint]

Thanks again. What threw me was the box it was in. It is a gold 38 M&P box that is correct for the size barrel. It is a nice surprise to the collection.

 

[tom turner]

Man, that is one NICE pre-Model 36 . . . you lucky dog!!!

Enjoy!