ID an old M&P ?

[CWW]

I have been researching on this site for about three days but still can't positively ID this gun. Sorry, I don't have photos. I know it's a S&W .38 Special and it's M&P, It was my Dad's, he was a cop in late 50s. I'm thinking it's a 1905 Model forth change. Serial # B 604207. no model # on yoke but a manufacturers #16312. No # on grips but I can see the serial number was penciled in by someone. On the butt part of the frame it has stampings, on one side a W and 4; on the other side B and B and 1. The patent years are 06,09 and 1914. The grips do not have a medallion, they are criss cross diamond carved walnut with diamond shape centered where the grip screw goes through. What has been throwing me off mostly is that the S&W logo is on the left side, where most of the guns I've seen on the net are on the right side and larger in size. It has the half moon front sight and a deep horizontal groove just in front of the rear fixed site. Side plate has 4 screws.

So what do you guys think, can you positively ID and date for me, Dad passed last Aug. and I never asked him about it, he also has the police black belt and holster and shoulder strap.

 

[Kurac]

Does the ejector rod have a knob on the end that is a little thicker than the rod itself?

Does it look anything like this?

 

[CWW]

The barrel

Forgot to mention the barrel is 5"

 

[CWW]

Kurac, Yes it does, your photo is exactly the gun I have. Can you tell me more?

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't think there should be a letter "B" in the serial number on the butt, so if there is some further research should be done.

As for the rest of your description. It does correctly match a .38 Military & Police (1905 Hand Ejector) 4th Change, as it was made in 1928 or thereabouts, and the stocks you have would be correct for that period. The logo markings changed over time. If you forget the "B", serial number 604,xxx would date from around 1927 - 1930.

You can obtain the exact information by sending a letter with the details in your post, along with a small snapshot of the revolver to Smith $ Wesson's company historian, Mr. Roy Jinks. For a modest fee of $30.00 (make out the check to S&W, not Jinks) he will research the old records until he finds your revolver, and send you an official letter with the exact details and history of your gun. See additional details at: www.smith-wesson.com

 

[CWW]

I'm 100% positive about the letter B in the serial #. However it does not appear on the butt. It appears on the barrle at the rear (hidden by the ejector rod) and also on the yoke. Hope I'm not complicating things for you, I cannot at this time get in touch with S&W.

 

[Kurac]

The number on the butt will be the correct serial number. Sometimes you will find letters in front of the number on other parts of the gun but the butt number is the one you want. Sounds like a pre war M&P, mine is from about 1929 but without getting a factory letter, and exact date is hard to pin down as these guns were normally not shipped in sequence.

 

[Old Fuff]

O.K. The "B" on the barrel and yoke are something else, and the number on the butt (without the "B") is the full serial number. What I said before still stands, and I think your revolver was made as early as 1927, and possibly as late as 1930. This is as close as I can date it.

One other thing: Don't store the gun in the holster. This could cause the gun's finish to rust. I hope the information we have provided will meet your need and requirements.

 

[CWW]

Kurac & Old Fluff, Thanks to both I've been enlightened and surprised. I assumed it was a new gun circa 1955. I'm delighted to know it's much older.
Good advice about storeing it, but alas the warning is about 40 years to late, my dad did indeed store it in the holster on a shelf in the basement for who knows how long. There is some bad rusting on the butt although the rest of it looks very good. I fired it in 1988 and have had it in my posession since then and have kept it high and dry with occasional cleaning and lubeing. mechanically it is excellent. Thanks again.

 

[hpg]

Call Smith & Wesson and ask for Roy Jinks, their historian, he can tell you everything about your gun you want to know. hpg