Early M-938 version

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Oops, I forgot the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0150374418

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Are you sure these are stainless? They look like pre-M90s to me.

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Guenter,
Based on the photo's on the ebay auction, I would like to know how they know it is stainless steel since I see where the nickel plating is worn off in spots. And the serial number is not that far off from my pair which I can attest to is nickel plated steel. My question is I have 2 pairs of roughly the same time frame, one with the star in front of the serial # and another without it. Sounds like you may have a legitamate complaint of mis-reperesentation of an item. I have not heard of any of the earlier models of this style being made in stainless but maybe others can fill in the gaps. If you read another thread here, http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... 78785/Help is some of what I have written so far.

-Dorson

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Guenter,

There should be a small "S" mark on each bow to be the stainless 938. I'm afraid this is just a plain model 90. I have never seen a model 938 without the "S" marks.

Lars

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Hmm, so maybe these are really only M-90. It would not be a catastrophe, because the early version is still missing in my collection.

@Lars: I know the "S" mark, but I thought that this might have add at later versions and this one - presumed that it is a M-938 - did not yet bear one.

Best regards,
Guenter

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Greetings Guenter!

For the longest time I have been trying to figure out exactly when and why S&W adopted the latter form of the 9x series. Thus far I have narrowed it down to the early 60’s. Another collector suggested 1961 as the turning point.

Regards,
Jason

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Hello Jason,

thank you for your reply.

Meanwhile the cuffs arrived and they really look like a nickel plated version, an early M-90. Well, I do not blame the seller, for I should have known better, because I did not start collecting yesterday. At least the cuffs are in very good condition and fully functional.

Best regards,
Guenter

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Guenter,
I still find fault with the seller because they knew that M-938's were made which are uncommon. The person had to have known that prior to selling them and I beleive there was intent to defraud. Most sellers would have just called them S&W's, and maybe model 90's. How many sellers on ebay are selling the lower quality stuff and use stainless steel in there descriptions when all it is nickel plated steel junk. Granted you should have known better, but they were made a false claim knowingly from the beginning.

-Dorson

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

The star in front of the serial numbers is used on S&W firearms as an indicator that the item has been factory refinished.

I've never seen a star on a handcuff before. I can only assume it carries the same meaning.

If so, then this cuff was at some point returned to the factory to be refurbished.

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Greetings, Guenter!

My polished version of these cuffs is one of my favorite vintage designs, and looks far better than the dull stainless steel version, in my opinion. Both forms were very well made and feature some of the strongest springs used in modern handcuffs. I’ve only seen higher spring tension on certain vintage Spanish cuffs. Back in the day, officers would often lubricate the ratchet pawl with lead graphite to facilitate faster application, as they were a bit chunky when new.

Quite a few e-bay sellers – either wittingly or unwittingly – misrepresent nickel plated handcuffs and thumbcuffs as stainless steel. A few years back, I also bought a pair of unmarked thumbcuffs that the seller ensured me were stainless steel, only to find later that they were satin nickel finished.

Regards,
Jason

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Hi Jason,

as you wrote some sellers think that stainless steel and nickel plated is the same, just because there is no rust on the nickel plating. I will tell the seller that he made a mistake and the cuffs are M-90 not M-938 and worth not more than US$ 40 to 50 (correct?) - so maybe he is fair and honest and grants me a refund.

Best regards,
Guenter

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Yes, I quite agree, Guenter.
An honest seller would either agree to refund your bid (including postage) or work out a partial refund, if you find that acceptable. After all, it was the seller’s mistake, assuming he is honest. If you paid with PayPal, you may have further recourse if an agreement can’t be reached.

Best regards from the U.S.A.

Jason

Hi all,

yesterday, I bought a nice S&W M-938 using "buy it know" - US$ 70.00 was IMHO quite a bargain, so I wondered why nobody else wanted this piece.

It is an early version ("&" mark, chain-swivels, position of "bow-holder"). Could anybody please tell me, when the model was made this way?

Best regards,
Guenter

Right. PayPal is pretty good at supporting the buyer in a SNAD (Significantly Not As Described dispute. You have 45 days to file. If you are sustained, you will generally need to return the cuffs at your expense. DO ship them with electronic delivery confirmation, as PayPal will need that to prove delivery.

Now, if you had funded the PayPal with a credit card, you would have a second bite at the apple, if PayPal turns you down.