Pulled this from the closet

H

Hiprolllc

Inactive
Not a big handgun buff and not very knowledgable on what I recently acquired. More importantly, I don't know how best to preserve this revolver with its nickel finish. For now, I just oiled and lubed. I am curious if the pearl grips might have been stock. From what I was told, this revolver, along with a pre-WWI 1911 45 ACP, had been tucked away in a closet since the forties.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    94.6 KB · Views: 463
I would seriously look into that pre WWI 1911. Try to date it and figure out if things are original.

I found myself with a very early 1911 Navy Colt built in 1912 that had been stored in a drawer for the last few decades.

It has the potential to be an even more epic find than the revolver, which looks like it's in pretty good condition.
 
Great find.

Too, you may want to save the ammo. There may be some 'vintage' value to it as well. I'm sure there will be more knowledgeable members of vintage ammo such Mike Irwin come along and be able to tell ya about it.
 
Thanks, guys, for taking the time to respond. I didn't include any pics of the Colt 1911, but it was easier to date. Based on the serial number, I believe it is a 1917, and is in better condition than this revolver, with what I believe to be the original magazine and original US army leather holster. It also had a full box of 45 ACP, probably from the early forties.

I couldn't find any details on the revolver, so your insight helped. I will look for something to preserve that nickel finish so it doesn't continue to degrade. Again, thanks for the input. These two will join my others in the safe to pass on to the next generation.
 
Howdy

Judging from the mushroom shaped ejector rod cap I would venture to guess that S&W M&P dates from the 1920s.

P.S. the ammo is not anything to get all excited about, but it does have some vintage value to it. If it were me I would same the ammo, not shoot it.
 
The pearl grips are probably original.
Click to expand...
I would disagree, but I'm curious as to why you'd suggest they are original? They have no emblems on them.

I've got MOP on a similar S&W, though mine is a six inch. I am 100% certain that my pearl is NOT original to the gun, as I've gotten it factory lettered.

What's the serial number of this one? We can try to give it a date for you. Sure looks a lot like mine.
 
I will look for something to preserve that nickel finish so it doesn't continue to degrade.
Click to expand...
I don't know of any way to do that. :( I found that the best way to keep my nickel from degrading is to not shoot it and not clean it. Mine is a 1921 and when I found a very similar 1917 at a gun show (in much worse condition, but fully functional), I bought it -- and now I shoot that one, and that's my method for preserving my 1921! :D
 
I know mine are not original because of the factory letter. I was under the assumption that original, issue MOP would wear emblems, but I truly have no idea.

It would be interesting to see a factory letter on the revolver in question. The condition means the value is not high (because of the sheer number of these that were produced, you really need the condition...) however, these guns with factory mother of pearl would, I would think... carry a significant collector "value."
 
"There may be some 'vintage' value to it as well."

Unfortunately, not really. All three boxes are pretty badly battered, and non appears to be full. All are post 1930s, and very likely post World War II, although it's hard to tell exactly.

The most interesting box is Remington Police Service load. Unfortunately, it's the lead bullet box, not the more desirable metal point bullet box.

IF there is still original ammo in each box, as opposed to fill ins or nothing at all, they might be worth $10.


As for the revolver, I agree that it's older than World War II due to the mushroom head ejector rod, although it's not uncommon to find that on guns right up to the eve of World War II. When the depression hit, S&W had a HUGE backlog of parts built up and suddenly no sales.

Parts made in the 1920s were used to fulfill the first of the British orders in 1940-41, including, I think some of the mushroom head ejector rod caps.

Hiprolllc, what's the serial number on your gun (found on the butt). Use XXX in place of the last few digits.
 
Re: the grips, as far as I know, not all MOP grips from S&W had medallions.

If they are factory original they should be numbered to the gun (either partial or full serial number) on the back side of one of the panels.
 
Thanks for the feedback and shared knowledge.

Regarding the ammo and boxes... yes, all are filled with original ammo. The original owner's family owned a "dry goods/hardware" business in a small town from the early 20's until the late 60's, so the ammo came from their store. I especially liked the "7 cents each" or $3.30/box" hand written on the side of the Western box.

The serial number is 201XXX. I am reluctant to remove the panels and check for numbers. For now, it is wrapped and back in the safe, with no plans to shoot it or any of the ammo.

Again, thanks for the feedback!!
 
"The serial number is 201XXX."

Crap! That is an old one!

I don't have my books here at work with me, but that MIGHT be right before or after World War I, but certainly no later than the early 1920s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top