The experts will be along shortly, but on fixed-sight S&Ws of that era the serial number is on the butt; the digits on the crane are an "assembly number." If you are correct on the manufacture date ('49-50) then it is called a "Military and Police." The model numbering system was implemented in 1957-1958 IIRC, at which time the "M&P" received the designation "Model 10." This assumes your revolver is chambered in .38 Special; the .38/200 nee .38 S&W was called the Model 11.
Which model is this old Smith & Wesson?
Picked this beaut up for $300, not really a steal or a deal or anything, but a fair price I think. According to the serial number, it was made between about 1949-1950 I think. Curved front sight, extra screw on the side plate, all the cool early stuff of a post-war gun.
What I'm not clear on is the model designation of this gun, is it an M&P? A model 10? I know it's a K frame, but that's all I know. Well, that and I think ti was made between 49-50 based on the serial number and some information I found elsewhere. The serial number on the bottom of the gun doesn't seem to match the serial number by the cylinder, unlike my 15-2 and 686-6, which is odd, but maybe normal for this era? I don't know.
Anyway it had period correct Franzite grips on it, and by period correct I mean EVERYONE was putting these things on EVERY wheel gun back then. I promptly removed them, not because I dislike the look, but because I disliked the feel. I don't know if the wood grips I got off fleabay a while back for about ten bucks are era / period correct but they're nicer than those oddball Franzite grips. Here's some pics of the gun I'm trying to identify, and my other two S&W revolvers, thanks for your help on this one.
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And sans the "Franz" grips
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What I'm not clear on is the model designation of this gun, is it an M&P? A model 10? I know it's a K frame, but that's all I know. Well, that and I think ti was made between 49-50 based on the serial number and some information I found elsewhere. The serial number on the bottom of the gun doesn't seem to match the serial number by the cylinder, unlike my 15-2 and 686-6, which is odd, but maybe normal for this era? I don't know.
Anyway it had period correct Franzite grips on it, and by period correct I mean EVERYONE was putting these things on EVERY wheel gun back then. I promptly removed them, not because I dislike the look, but because I disliked the feel. I don't know if the wood grips I got off fleabay a while back for about ten bucks are era / period correct but they're nicer than those oddball Franzite grips. Here's some pics of the gun I'm trying to identify, and my other two S&W revolvers, thanks for your help on this one.
And sans the "Franz" grips
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Thanks again for y'alls input, it was way easier to identify the 15-2 I own as well as the 686-6 Deluxe Plus than this gun, though I had some idea it was just an M&P and nothing more. It is a special gun though, one I hope to make part of a larger collection of S&W's.
I do not, unfortunately, have the original grips for the M&P, they are lost to time, nor do I have the original grips for my 15-2, it has some PGS (Precision Gun Specialties) "Hideout" grips on it. If not for the PGS logo emblazoned on the inside of the grips I'd have no idea who made them. Considering that company has only been around since 1988, and my 15-2 is from 1965, I don't consider them period correct, and in fact, don't like them at all. Smooth, untextured, just kind of cheap feeling.
Anyway here's a pic of all my revolvers together, 'cause, you know, wheel gun porn. Side note, I don't carry any of my S&W revolvers. I have a well worn Glock 19 Gen 4 with nightsights for that, another bargain special at $400, shoots fine, has all the holster wear, fine by me for a carry gun. Further side note, the Heritage Rough Rider at the bottom is not a gun I'd recommend unless you get it dirt cheap and only use it for plinking, it is not a good varmint gun, mine and a half dozen others I've shot all have light strike issues. I got mine dirt cheap as a blemished model, so no regrets for a plinker.
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I do not, unfortunately, have the original grips for the M&P, they are lost to time, nor do I have the original grips for my 15-2, it has some PGS (Precision Gun Specialties) "Hideout" grips on it. If not for the PGS logo emblazoned on the inside of the grips I'd have no idea who made them. Considering that company has only been around since 1988, and my 15-2 is from 1965, I don't consider them period correct, and in fact, don't like them at all. Smooth, untextured, just kind of cheap feeling.
Anyway here's a pic of all my revolvers together, 'cause, you know, wheel gun porn. Side note, I don't carry any of my S&W revolvers. I have a well worn Glock 19 Gen 4 with nightsights for that, another bargain special at $400, shoots fine, has all the holster wear, fine by me for a carry gun. Further side note, the Heritage Rough Rider at the bottom is not a gun I'd recommend unless you get it dirt cheap and only use it for plinking, it is not a good varmint gun, mine and a half dozen others I've shot all have light strike issues. I got mine dirt cheap as a blemished model, so no regrets for a plinker.
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