Nickel M&P Questions.......

[XavierBreath]

I think I may have gotten a deal today on a M38, 5 screw, serial number 544XXX. All numbers match. All rollmarks are crisp. It is a nickel plated gun. I gave $125 OTD for it.



It has what appears to be the original wooden stocks, well worn. The trigger is smooth. The barrel is 6 inches. The nickel has some freckles, but nothing flaking off. It locks up tight, and the timing appears to be good checking it the Jim March way. The action is slick. Bore looks fantastic. I figured that $125 for a decent .38 shooter was a fair deal, but now I am wondering.....
Am I correct in saying this is an M38?
Could this be factory nickel?
How do you clean up nickel and not damage it?
Just what size frame is this?
Did I do good, get lucky, or did I get snookered?

["DoubleAction"]

Xavier; "M" would signify "Model", which would mean the Model 38 Body Guard Airweight. This K Frame resembles the early .38 M&P, which lacks the locking lug at the front of the ejector rod.

["DoubleAction"]

Snookered? Not hardly, I give more than that for pellet pistols. ;D

[XavierBreath]

Yep, according to the serail number, it's an M&P fourth change, made in 1928.

["DoubleAction"]

Xavier; I would say, from looking at the nickel, that it's original factory. You can get in touch with Roy Jinks at S&W to do a back ground on the gun, S&W also offers restoration services for those guns. Looks like your revolver collection just took another big step.

[XavierBreath]

Yeah Baby! ;D

[5ontarget]

A pretty gun that shoots great, and a great price...I need you to shop for me. Nice shooting!! Great addition to your already impressive collection.

[XavierBreath]

[MLB]

Looks better already!

["DoubleAction"]

Xavier; That was fast, I was just thinking how it would look with stag or ivory the other day. Gun leather for these guns are real easy because they are compatible with the mid frame Colts. Also, because there are so many copies of the mid frame revolvers, holsters are quite plentiful on the used markets.