What have I got here?

[daaaveman]

Hi guys and gals. I picked up a little S&W revolver today for cheap and I'm trying to find out what it is. I know she ain't beautiful but the lockup and timing are great and she'll make a great farm gun.

Here's what I know (or think I know)
It's a 5-screw (has screw in front of the trigger guard)
It's a round-butt J frame.
I haven't seen the screw on the front grip strap before like this has.
The yoke just shows the number 1542. It matches on the yoke and the frame under the yoke.
The serial # on the butt and the cylinder match.
The right-side of the barrel says "airweight" "38 Special CTG". I'm thinking this isn't the original barrel????
The gun is very light.

So please do me a favor and have a look at the pics and see what you think. Serial is C2321XX.

 

[daaaveman]

Oh yeah, it's a 6-shot.

 

[GunarSailors]

1953. And if its a 6 shot it isnt a J frame, its a round butt K frame.

 

[tlay]

Can't be a J frame with 6 rounds. It is a round butt M&P with the newer style grips on it. It looks like a pre12. Check to see if the cylinder is aluminum. Check it with a magnet. If it is I would advise you not to fire it.

 

[FPrice]

Pre-model 12?

.38 Military & Police Airweight?

 

[daaaveman]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. Yeah, it's a 6-shot. Sounds like mystery solved........

 

[daaaveman]

Another thing. In reading just now, it may have the aluminum cylinder??? Is that safe? I've heard not to shoot the old aluminum cylinder guns.?

 

[FPrice]

Check it with a magnet.

 

[DWalt]

It is not a J-frame, but a K-frame. It is a pre-Model 12 M&P Airweight. These were introduced in late 1952, and yours is of earlier production, owing to the presence of the upper sideplate screw which vanished after 1955. Until 1954, the cylinders were made of an aluminum alloy, later found unsafe, and steel cylinders used thereafter. Some of the earlier guns had replacement steel cylinders. Your grips do not have diamonds, therefore from post-1969. I don't quite understand the flat cylinder latch. What is the SN? it probably begins with the letter C.

 

[daaaveman]

Yes, C serial #. yes, aluminum cylinder and frame (magnet only sticks to the barrel). Is this the original barrel? Were they marking them airweight in 1953?

 

[daaaveman]

Oh, and I knew the grips weren't original. The serial #s do not match.

So I shouldn't shoot this thing? I reload and was planning to work up some mild loads. Thoughts?

 

[tlay]

I have one just a few numbers away from yours. It has the aluminum cylinder. I won't fire it. But if you are only use very light target loads. USNrigger has a post about model 12/13 grips. He has a few of the grips you need.

 

[DWalt]

Yes, C serial #. yes, aluminum cylinder and frame (magnet only sticks to the barrel). Is this the original barrel? Were they marking them airweight in 1953?

Yes, production started in 1952. Barrel is probably original, and it should be SNed to the frame. I think most would advise against shooting it. Light target loads would probably be safe, or starting level handloads. That is if you are a risk-taker. Airweight grips do differ from regular M&P grips.

 

[daaaveman]

The barrel serial # does match so it's all original aside from the grips. Any idea on value? Is there a market for this unshootable shooter? Sounds like I want to get my money back.

 

[BC38]

Would it be possible to get a steel cylinder and fit it to this little snub? I just replaced a cylinder in a K-frame (15-5) with help from some very generous helpful forum members. If you can install a steel cylinder that would be enough to make it safe, wouldn't it? Not original anymore (obviously) but safe to shoot again....

 

[DWalt]

The barrel serial # does match so it's all original aside from the grips. Any idea on value? Is there a market for this unshootable shooter? Sounds like I want to get my money back.

There will be different opinions on this. I personally want nothing to do with ANY alloy frame revolvers (with or without steel cylinders) from any manufacturer. Others like them. If you didn't pay very much for it, I'd suggest hanging on to it for shooting pipsqueak loads for fun. Not having the correct grips is a negative for value also. On the other hand, if you bought it for use as a PDW, or any other serious purpose, I'd try to get my money back.

 

[poordevil]

don't these bring premium? I am sure it is nice to have and all, but with other nicer guns out there, you may have made out like a bandit! and can up sale for a very good price.

 

[Kansasgunner]

If there is no gap between the frame and the top of the stocks they are correct Airweight/Model 12 stocks, even tho they are from a newer gun. Your gun should have diamond magnas.

 

[usnrigger]

Yep, looks like everyone has cleaned up on what you have there. I do have lots of parts for these guns and correct grips from that era. The flat latch on your pistol is the earliest version, I may have missed it but what is your serial range?

 

[GunarSailors]

Yep, looks like everyone has cleaned up on what you have there. I do have lots of parts for these guns and correct grips from that era. The flat latch on your pistol is the earliest version, I may have missed it but what is your serial range?

His serial is C2321XX.