Need S&W expert

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If it's from 1957 or before, it won't have a model number.

Edit to add: Is it a .38 Special? If so, looks like a Model of 1905, Fourth Change, aka M&P, just going by the hammer. That serial number makes me think it shipped in 1948, since the K frame S-prefix numbers ended at 999,999 in 1948. Nice revolver!
 
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Bubbas or not, orginial or not that is one darn fine looking revolver. Curiosity leads me to ask, What’s wrong with it. We are about the same age, it’s better looking. :rofl:
 
If it's from 1957 or before, it won't have a model number.

Edit to add: Is it a .38 Special? If so, looks like a Model of 1905, Fourth Change, aka M&P, just going by the hammer. That serial number makes me think it shipped in 1948, since the K frame S-prefix numbers ended at 999,999 in 1948. Nice revolver!

Didn't know about the pre '57 thing with model numbers. Yes, .38 special. Wish it had the original wood grips, those cheesy plastic ones sure don't do it much good.
 
Curiosity leads me to ask, What’s wrong with it.

As the OP noted, the stocks are pretty bad. But much worse in my opinion is the re-finish. The gun was over polished, rounding off edges that should have been left sharp. As someone else said, it appears to be chromed rather than nickle plated which is a more proper alternative to bluing. And finally the hammer and trigger are supposed to be color case hardened, not plated. Makes the gun look cheesier than even the stocks.

YMMV,
Dave
 
Looking really good at them pictures those little numbers, the name and Logo, the dates and the knurled areas look pretty sharp and defined for a heavy polish and chrome job.

Given its location that heavy chrome would probably with stand the humidity better than a blue.
I’ve got an old nickeled revolver from about that time frame of that’s not withstood the test of time.
 
Those "stag" grips must have been a thing back in the day. I have a 32-20 K-frame from 1921 or 1922 that had those grips on it when I acquired it.
 
Those "stag" grips must have been a thing back in the day. I have a 32-20 K-frame from 1921 or 1922 that had those grips on it when I acquired it.
I have a .32 Long Regulation Police from '23 that had them when I got it. They were bone, made to look like horn, which is kind of weird. ;-) Managed to find some period grips for it, though it did take some doing.
 
Jim Watson nailed it - it's an M&P from just after WW2. It still has the "long" action. Correct stocks/grips for it would be "sharp-shoulder" magnas, but with the refinish, correct doesn't really matter. Any K frame magnas should fit it.
 
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Poorly refinished Military & Police Model...otherwise known as a bumper job (automotive chrome). The grips are period correct. Darn if I will ever know what the fascination was with these Fitz type faux stag grips. The picture on this post is an example of the same thing. Who ever reblued mine did a better job than Bubba and the boys did down at the bumper shop on yours. Picked up mine on GB for $250 or so. It was out of time. Had to fit an oversized hand to the pistol. Power Custom makes a good after market oversized hand for K and N frame Smiths. Too bad no one makes an oversized hand for the J frame Smith’s.
 
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Many years ago I bought a model 34 Flat Latch in a pawn shop for $250 TD and it came with a set of stag grips on it. They were ugly but what a grip they gave. I did replace them first with S&W wood and then some Houge rubber. And what a shooter that gun is.

That gun may be goofed up beyond repair but I like it.
 
I am another one who has a soft spot for old buffed and chromed revolvers with awful "stag" grips. In a very real way they are "authentic" but by the same token you would never worry that carrying or shooting it would negatively affect the value. I knew a fellow who lost his in a snow drift for several weeks. After the thaw he found it laying in the mud and, according to his version, couldn't tell any difference, before and after. I don't take that particular story as gospel, but I still like the idea!
 
.....I knew a fellow who lost his in a snow drift for several weeks. After the thaw he found it laying in the mud and, according to his version, couldn't tell any difference, before and after. I don't take that particular story as gospel, but I still like the idea!

I believe it. There’s 40 year old cars running around with factory chrome bumpers that still look pretty good!

Properly applied, chrome is tough stuff.
 
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