Help with S&W revolver

[bps3040]

Any info would be appreciated. Any history and approximate worth. It is a friends pistol...and I think I want it,lol The number on the butt does not match number in cylinder.. Butt- C 22XX and in open cylinder973XX. It is a 38 special.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Jim K]

The number on the butt is the serial number; the number under and on the crane is an assembly number.

The gun is a Military & Police Model (pre-Model 10) and appears to be nickel plated, not stainless steel, as it was made about 1948, before use of stainless steel.

Jim

 

[bps3040]

Thanks, Jim....for both revolver replies

 

[Oro]

As to worth, I'd guess maybe $275 to $300 if the mechanicals are perfect - use the revolver check out stickied to evaluate it.

The finish is almost certainly not original - very few M&Ps were nickeled, and even rarer that time period. The quality of the finish is hard to judge in the grain of the photos. The other clue is the finish on the hammer and trigger - the gun has been apart at some time for refinishing. OTOH, the grips are original and nice.