In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

S&W M&P

flashbackjackflashbackjack Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
edited October 2001 in Ask the Experts
This revolver doesn't seem to fit into any catagory that I can find. K frame , 5" pinned bbl. Marked on right "38 S&W CTG" on left"Smith & Wesson . Top of bbl. marked " SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASSU.S.A.Patented FEB.6,06.SEPT.14,09.DEC.29,14, Checkerd wood grips with S&W medalions .The right frame has the S&W logo on side plate and MADE IN U.S.A.on lower front of frame. It is blued 6 shot. Markings on square butt Sr.# 9254XX behind lanyard ring ( all parts have matching #)In front of lanyard ring the initials W B then a Circle with flames on top then a small p The gun appears to be unfired and retains 100 % case colors on hammer and trigger.and 99% blue. It came with a tan open top holster with a snap strap that goes over the trigger guard .The holster is marked on the back " 1918 over the # 5 " Got any clues???.............Jack
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • flashbackjackflashbackjack Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    WHAT FRAME IS THE S&W M&P AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CHANGES.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Der GebirgsjagerDer Gebirgsjager Member Posts: 1,673 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    WB was the inspection/acceptance mark of Col. Waldemar Broberg, US Army, circa 1941, who's initials are found on may Colt, S&W Victory Revolvers, and 1911A1 pistols of the period. That doesn't mean that the W.W.I holster wasn't issued with the revolver, as many W.W.I items were issued at the start of W.W.II. The flaming bomb is the US Ordnance acceptance mark. The little p indicates proof firing. As your revolver has a civilian finish, that fits with the approx. 1941 inspection before S&W went to the wartime finish of the Victory Model. According to Roy Jinks' book, History of Smith & Wesson, "On April 24, 1942, Smith & Wesson's serial numbers on the original .38 M&P series reached 1,000,000 and a new series was started having a V prefix....". That also nudges your date of manufacture back toward 1941. The same book also states,"...early production models having a bright blue finish and revolvers produced from December 4, 1941 to April 10, 1942 having a brush blue finish..." Supposedly during this time the factory was completely involved in making revolvers for the British and other Commonwealth Nations, and the ones that were accepted by the British were usually stamped with British proofmarks. Sounds to me that you have a revolver that was supposed to go to the British, but due to the lack of these markings I'd have to guess that it was retained stateside for our use. Good collector's item.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • flashbackjackflashbackjack Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Der Gebirgsjager Thanks for the quick reply!! Another odd thing....The first two digets of the serial number(on the butt) are stamped with a different tool.They are stamped in a recessed square. The squares are as tall as the following numbers but the numbers are smaller(to fit into the squares)The finish is a black/blue.. Got any Idea as to the value!!??
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.