What is it?

[clem]

Hi,
I've been around for a while and just reading all of the good info you people put out.
I have a few S&W revolvers and one S&W rifle (I-Bolt). What I just picked up has me a little puzzled so help me out.

It is a 5 screw, pined barrel, .38 Special. The S/N is: C 330XXX. It has after market trash grips so I would be interested in findind a set of correct grips for it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mikepriwer]

Looks like an early 1950's pre-model 10. It would need early
post-WW2 magna stocks, for it to be exactly right. The nuances of
the early ones make them hard to find - any post-WW2 diamond
magna stocks would be OK .

Mike Priwer

 

[Speedo2]

Hello Clem, and welcome to the forum. You've got a pre-model 10, standard barrel (I like to call it a "pencil" barrel, just 'cuz it drives some folks around here crazier than they already are); mfg'd in around 1955. That was the quintessential cop's gun from the 50's and 60's. The correct grips would be diamond magnas; I'll see if I can dredge up a photo or two, Success:

These are some early 50's diamond magnas on a pre-M15.

The following were a mis-matched set that I recently sold.

Notice the difference in the sharpness of the upper corners. You will want the kind with the smoother, more rounded corners; like the right-side grip panel in the above photos. Well, that's clearly confusing; in the above photos, the panel on the left-side (which goes onto the right-side of a gun). Anyway, they're around; you should maybe post a WTB add. -S2

 

[DCWilson]

Clem, the other responders answered your questions the same way I would have, but I am chiming in anyway just to offer you a welcome to the forum. The more the merrier!

 

[linde]

It has after market trash grips so I would be interested in findind a set of correct grips for it.

Clem,

Let me add my welcome to you . . . the Forum is a great place to meet very knowledgeable folks willing to share their knowledge and passion for S&Ws.

In addition to the post-war diamond magna stocks as posted by Speedo2, S&W introduced in about 1952 a similar stock but with rounded edges . . . they're referred to as PC diamond magnas since they were intended for Plain Clothes officers so they wouldn't print under clothing as much as the squared-off stocks. I'm told the fixed sighted M&P like yours could be ordered with either variety.

Here is my M&P serial number C226070 . . . not too far from yours. It was shipped from S&W in April 1953 with the PC diamond magnas.

Here is a photo showing a comparison of the squared off and the rounded diamond magnas.

I will watch for your post on the "Want to Buy" classified ad section and offer up some spare pairs to help dress up that beautiful M&P.

Russ

 

[clem]

Thanks for all of the information and of course the pictures. I've added one picture below of my; M-29 "Lew Horton" special. it was made in 1985 and is one of 5,000.

I got it cheap because it's finiish was "trashed". I did have it refinished by S&W in a different finish.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Welcome to the forum clem and by the way, that is a nice Mod. 29 Lew Horton 1 of 5000, looks like an efficient working gun.

 

[feralmerril]

Here is your guns twin. I dont have the correct grips either. Mine is close to your serial #. I figure mine was made between 1953 and 1955.