S&W M&P manufacture date
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ulflyer
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About 1943....give or take a year or so.
Most likely during late 1941 or early 1942, with a '42 date being more likely.
Be sure it isn't marked "38-200" on a 5 inch barrel, and chambered for the shorter .38 S&W (not Special) cartridge. If so, it was originally intended for the British.
Be sure it isn't marked "38-200" on a 5 inch barrel, and chambered for the shorter .38 S&W (not Special) cartridge. If so, it was originally intended for the British.
Smith and Wesson ended their original serial number series at 999,999 on or about April 24, 1942, and started over at "1" with a "V" prefix. In late 1944 they incorporated a new safety and changed the prefix to "SV." At the war's end they were up to SV 811000. Clearly, the revolver in question was not made after April, 1942.
Thank you!
I think it's neat that the old Colt and this Smith are approximately the same age. I may have to get letters on them.
It is certainly .38 Special, clearly marked.
The smith's shop has a British Lend-Lease revolver, too. If anyone wants it, fire me an e-mail and I'll get the info for you.
I think it's neat that the old Colt and this Smith are approximately the same age. I may have to get letters on them.
It is certainly .38 Special, clearly marked.
The smith's shop has a British Lend-Lease revolver, too. If anyone wants it, fire me an e-mail and I'll get the info for you.
ulflyer
Member
Old Fuff, you may well be right. I based my dates on a document given to me several years ago and I don't know what book the doc came out of. Its labeled "Appendix 2, Serial Number Ranges by Years" with page numbers running from 207 thru 211. The serial numbers go from 1857 to 1994. It lists 38 Special Hand Ejector M&P as beginning with 1 in 1899 but when it gets up to the blocks of numbers around 1940 there is some discrepancy; possibly the the 1942 date should read instead 1940. So, FWIW, herewith:
1915-1942 241704-700000
1940-1945 700000-1000000
1915-1942 241704-700000
1940-1945 700000-1000000
I would letter that S&W if you are sure you have the correct serial number (marked on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the barrel under the ejector rod).
Smith & Wesson was filling major contracts from the British, and had only placed the regular .38 Special 1905 Hand Ejector/Military & Police revolver back into production around late February, 1941. They continued to fill U.K. orders plus commercial/police ones and a limited number (3000 guns for the Navy) for Uncle Sam. Of course on December 7, 1941 all of this changed.
But anyway, commercial Military & Police .38 Special revolvers were scarce during 1941, and pretty well discontinued during early 1942. Your gun may have a story to tell ...
Smith & Wesson was filling major contracts from the British, and had only placed the regular .38 Special 1905 Hand Ejector/Military & Police revolver back into production around late February, 1941. They continued to fill U.K. orders plus commercial/police ones and a limited number (3000 guns for the Navy) for Uncle Sam. Of course on December 7, 1941 all of this changed.
But anyway, commercial Military & Police .38 Special revolvers were scarce during 1941, and pretty well discontinued during early 1942. Your gun may have a story to tell ...
ulflyer:
Mixed up was the name of the game ...
First of all S&W made a practice of manufacturing frames, serial numbering them, and building them into guns later - sometimes years later.
Then during the Great Depression they ran far more parts and/or guns then were needed because they didn't want to lose they're skilled labor force. This almost drove them into bankruptcy, but in 1940 they were saved by large orders from the British. At the time they were going back and converting previously made .38 Special revolvers into .38 S&W (.38-200) while making new revolvers in the same chambering. Both the .38-200 and .38 Special revolvers were numbered in the same series, and during that 1940 to early 1942 period serial numbers ran from the high 600,000's (frames probably made during the late 1930's) to 1,000,000 in April 1942.
The only way to know the date on a particular gun during this period is to get it lettered by Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson, and considering what was going on at the time it would probably be well worth doing.
Mixed up was the name of the game ...
First of all S&W made a practice of manufacturing frames, serial numbering them, and building them into guns later - sometimes years later.
Then during the Great Depression they ran far more parts and/or guns then were needed because they didn't want to lose they're skilled labor force. This almost drove them into bankruptcy, but in 1940 they were saved by large orders from the British. At the time they were going back and converting previously made .38 Special revolvers into .38 S&W (.38-200) while making new revolvers in the same chambering. Both the .38-200 and .38 Special revolvers were numbered in the same series, and during that 1940 to early 1942 period serial numbers ran from the high 600,000's (frames probably made during the late 1930's) to 1,000,000 in April 1942.
The only way to know the date on a particular gun during this period is to get it lettered by Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson, and considering what was going on at the time it would probably be well worth doing.
Thank you, again.
I think I will have both lettered. The Smith is blued, not parkerized, and no military markings, so I'm pretty sure it's commercial. I've researched the Colt and found it to be 1942 and shipped to the OSS, so it may have stories too.
I'll get 'em lettered, shoot both, take some photos, and post all here. Don't hold your breath, though...
I think I will have both lettered. The Smith is blued, not parkerized, and no military markings, so I'm pretty sure it's commercial. I've researched the Colt and found it to be 1942 and shipped to the OSS, so it may have stories too.
I'll get 'em lettered, shoot both, take some photos, and post all here. Don't hold your breath, though...
Joe in fla
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S&W M&P Production date and SN?
At the risk of reviving an old thread I wonder if anyone can help me. I have a nice M&P that I inherited that I'm trying to find out more about. The crane and inside of the frame are both numbered 73826 but the butt and rear of the cylinder are both numbered 589813. Which of these is the correct SN? Or is this one mismatched? Can anyone tell me when this gun was built? This one has no model number, has a square butt and is marked .38 S&W Special Ctg. It has the round front sight also has a nice blued finish.
Thanks,
At the risk of reviving an old thread I wonder if anyone can help me. I have a nice M&P that I inherited that I'm trying to find out more about. The crane and inside of the frame are both numbered 73826 but the butt and rear of the cylinder are both numbered 589813. Which of these is the correct SN? Or is this one mismatched? Can anyone tell me when this gun was built? This one has no model number, has a square butt and is marked .38 S&W Special Ctg. It has the round front sight also has a nice blued finish.
Thanks,
Jim Watson
Member
The real legal serial number is the one on the butt. Back then S&W also numbered the barrel and cylinder (look on the bottom flat of the barrel with the cylinder swung out to get the extractor rod out of the way.)
The numbers on and under the yoke are factory fitting numbers with no significance after the gun was completed and sold.
The numbers on and under the yoke are factory fitting numbers with no significance after the gun was completed and sold.
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