Continuation of a theme... another N frame cop gun.

[thatguy]

This pre-27 was shipped in March of 1956 to a shop that supplied police state-wide. I purchased this gun from a gunshop that had bought out all the local sheriff department's revolvers when they went with 9MM semi-autos. He had row upon row of 4" Model 19 Smiths and way in the back was this lone N frame offered at the same price as the K frames. Showing much blue wear from untold years of doing holster duty it has one of the slickest actions I have ever felt.

The serial number is S138000. Notice something odd? It has the four-screw frame. These were supposedly not introduced until 1957 at around S171000.

Go figure.

 

[P95Carry]

What a great find.

I have a small hint of green about my gills .

 

[ACP230]

You lucky dog!

 

[Ala Dan]

Greetings All-

The Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson, 2nd edition by Supica & Nahas
puts the manufacture date of your gun between 1954-1955, as the range
of serial numbers for that period ran from S103000 thru S139999.

BTW, what a great find, on a great firearm. Enjoy~

 

[thatguy]

According to S&W historian Roy Jinks this gun was shipped on March 6, 1956. I know the serial range listed in the SCSW would suggest an earlier date but as we know the books are guidelines and not gospel. Also, this gun, or its numbered frame, may have set around the factory for some time before being completed or shipped.

I have guns with S143000 and S140000 and they shipped in April and September of 1955, respectively. Note that the gun with the 3,000 later number shipped 5 months before the other one and both went out before the gun pictured above with the S138000 number. Go figure.