S&W model 20 (not sure what I bought)

[Mark_Mark]

I bought what I thought (and might be) M&P .38. It came in a perfect condition, purple M&P .38 box but the paper doesn’t say anything about M&P .38, only the box.

never had time to look at it closely, but under the Yolk reads “20”

What do I have? here some photos, if any Smith person needs more photos, let me know and I can take more

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

It is an M&P, AKA Pre-Model 10. The "20" is just an assembly number, it wasn't until after '57 that the model number would have been stamped there.

The actual Model 20 is the post-'57 version of the N-Frame .38/44 Heavy Duty and is one of my grail guns. In that condition, a Model 20 would run about 3-4X what you probably paid for that one......

A Model 20-

Superficially, it does resemble your gun, but if you had them side-by-side, the N-Frame is much larger.

That said you have a really nice revolver there, congrats.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I just logged on to like @Mark_Mark 's newest acquisition there. Nice M&P .38 Special, the 4" barrel is my favorite on the S&W K-frames.

And @NIGHTLORD40K saved from having to dig out my Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, but I thought a Model 20 with a numbered .38/44 Heavy Duty. Now there's an esoteric revolver I'd like to find some day just for reasons. Though to be honest I'd probably prefer a .38/44 Outdoorsman with the adjustable sights. I'm assuming they're still more "reasonably" priced than anything .357 Magnum of the same vintage.

 

[Mark_Mark]

It is an M&P, AKA Pre-Model 10. The "20" is just an assembly number, it wasn't until after '57 that the model number would have been stamped there.

The actual Model 20 is the post-'57 version of the N-Frame .38/44 Heavy Duty and is one of my grail guns. In that condition, a Model 20 would run about 3-4X what you probably paid for that one......

A Model 20-
View attachment 1199502
Superficially, it does resemble your gun, but if you had them side-by-side, the N-Frame is much larger.

That said you have a really nice revolver there, congrats.

thanks for the clarification! I was like.. did I get ripped off?!!?!?!

 

[Pat Riot]

@Mark_Mark is the “serial number” 89443
and is it the same on the butt of the revolver?
From page 487 of my 4th Edition “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

 

[Mark_Mark]

@Mark_Mark is the “serial number” 89443
and is it the same on the butt of the revolver?
From page 487 of my 4th Edition “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

View attachment 1199524

I don’t know what that number is. But the serial number on the butt, and barrel and Cylinder is the same. one sec, I’ll take a photo

 

[Mark_Mark]

@Mark_Mark is the “serial number” 89443
and is it the same on the butt of the revolver?
From page 487 of my 4th Edition “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

View attachment 1199524

89442 number is in 2 locations, the frame and crane.

but a 850xxx number in the butt, barrel, & cylinder

 

[1KPerDay]

thanks for the clarification! I was like.. did I get ripped off?!!?!?!

If they said it was a model 20 and you paid model 20 money, you DID get ripped off. Nice M&P though.

 

[Mark_Mark]

If they said it was a model 20 and you paid model 20 money, you DID get ripped off. Nice M&P though.

it’s really clean, the box is in perfect condition. The “20” just thew me off

but I paid M&P money not “20”
money

 

[mrcabinet]

The 89443 number is an assembly number, which ensured that the yoke got mated to the correct frame after bluing, etc. The actual serial number is the one on the butt.

 

[Jim Watson]

Smith numbering gets people confused.
The real legal serial number is on the butt, repeated on the cylinder and barrel of older guns. Other places, too.

The number under the yoke is a "fitting number" used to keep parts together at the factory before the serial number is assigned. I doubt the fingers and toes of all the board members would serve to count the number of revolvers with that fitting number on a bill of sale or 4473.

Smith finally caught on and began putting the serial number under the yoke like Colt.


There are erroneous advertisements out there. I have read of more than one Heavy Duty being listed as a M&P and selling cheap. A guy here says he has gotten many Deals by watching for misnomers and misspellings. He has a Gunbroker search for six ways to spell Anschutz.

 

[Pat Riot]

@Mark_Mark
Your photo of the butt with the S/N S-826xxx puts your M&P as being made between 1945-1948.
NICE!
From the 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson pg 489

NICE!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Smith numbering gets people confused.
The real legal serial number is on the butt, repeated on the cylinder and barrel of older guns. Other places, too.

The number under the yoke is a "fitting number" used to keep parts together at the factory before the serial number is assigned. I doubt the fingers and toes of all the board members would serve to count the number of revolvers with that fitting number on a bill of sale or 4473.

Smith finally caught on and began putting the serial number under the yoke like Colt.


There are erroneous advertisements out there. I have read of more than one Heavy Duty being listed as a M&P and selling cheap. A guy here says he has gotten many Deals by watching for misnomers and misspellings. He has a Gunbroker search for six ways to spell Anschutz.

Look like a Model 20 is pretty pricey too

 

[Mark_Mark]

@Mark_Mark
Your photo of the butt with the S/N S-826xxx puts your M&P as being made between 1945-1948.
NICE! View attachment 1199561
From the 4th edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson pg 489

NICE!

that’s what you call a War time Gun!

 

[Pat Riot]

that’s what you call a War time Gun!

Post War, but still very cool.
That is a very nice looking 76-79 year old S&W revolver.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Post War, but still very cool.
That is a very nice looking 76-79 year old S&W revolver.

Everyone came back from the war and started building. Good times.

 

[Jonesy814]

That is a great looking post war M&P. S&W did not stamp model numbers until 1958.
I suspect that the 20 is an inspector’s stamp.

 

[Mark_Mark]

That is a great looking post war M&P. S&W did not stamp model numbers until 1958.
I suspect that the 20 is an inspector’s stamp.

Thanks! that’s what the conclusion is.

I bought it back a few ago, was messing with it last night and seen a 20. And kinda freaked out thinking someone put a M20 in a M&P box. Nice S&W history lesson on Model numbers and 1957

thanks

 

[trackskippy]

Real nice find there.

Ive got one that's a few years older than yours and not quite as pretty, but I really like it. If I saw one like the one you got, Id be all over it too, and probably pay too much to boot. Just can't seem to leave them there, and the snubbies are even worse.

El Paso can hook you up with a nice holster for them too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Real nice find there.

Ive got one that's a few years older than yours and not quite as pretty, but I really like it. If I saw one like the one you got, Id be all over it too, and probably pay too much to boot. Just can't seem to leave them there, and the snubbies are even worse.

El Paso can hook you up with a nice holster for them too.

Good looking set up!

I’m getting my 1st El Paso setup soon, but for a cowboy setup. Money belt and a 2 holsters

 

[Pat Riot]

Good looking set up!

I’m getting my 1st El Paso setup soon, but for a cowboy setup. Money belt and a 2 holsters

I bought this holster from Amazon and I really like it. It’s a tanker / aviator rig. Take your pick on the name.
Unfortunately they are out of stock, currently.

Amazon.com

Edit: I forgot to add that it was under $50

 

[Mark_Mark]

I bought this holster from Amazon and I really like it. It’s a tanker / aviator rig. Take your pick on the name.
Unfortunately they are out of stock, currently.

Amazon.com

View attachment 1199650

looks classy!

I found my favorite holster maker on Amazon Azula Holster out of Indian Trail NC. They use to make everything by hands but I’m not complaining for $50 high quality holster

 

[Pat Riot]

looks classy!

I found my favorite holster maker on Amazon Azula Holster out of Indian Trail NC. They use to make everything by hands but I’m not complaining for $50 high quality holster

Actually it was $37. I just went and looked at what it cost me. The only think is you have to fit it to your gun. Soak the holster in water. Wrap your gun in cling wrap (Saran wrap) Fully insert it into the holster. Manipulate the leather by hand to to the contours of the gun and leave in a warm dry place for 24 hours. By “warm” I mean room temperature.
I wear my model 10-7 in it at the range and it’s going to be my fishing and woods gun rig.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

I bought what I thought (and might be) M&P .38. It came in a perfect condition, purple M&P .38 box but the paper doesn’t say anything about M&P .38, only the box.

never had time to look at it closely, but under the Yolk reads “20”

What do I have? here some photos, if any Smith person needs more photos, let me know and I can take more

View attachment 1199495View attachment 1199496View attachment 1199497

OK STOP EVERYONE STOP!... IF you don't Mark will own all the good stuff. Help a fella out. Flip the open sign a few times when you see Mark trotting up to the front door. DANG!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Actually it was $37. I just went and looked at what it cost me. The only think is you have to fit it to your gun. Soak the holster in water. Wrap your gun in cling wrap (Saran wrap) Fully insert it into the holster. Manipulate the leather by hand to to the contours of the gun and leave in a warm dry place for 24 hours. By “warm” I mean room temperature.
I wear my model 10-7 in it at the range and it’s going to be my fishing and woods gun rig.

that’s a classy way to fish! nice 10-7 .38 SWC, a little hot load! fishing rod, Grill maybe! CLASSY