Smith & Wesson S&W Model 547 9mm Military & Police 4” DA/SA Revolver & Box
SOLD FOR: $1750
WOA#: WY230921DK008
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: Model 547
Serial Number: ABK8966
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1980-1985
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action 6 Shot Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder and Special Extractor Made for 9mm cases.
Markings: The crane cut is marked “ABK8966” and “MOD. 547”. The yoke is marked with “B6” and “75343”. The bottom of the grip is marked “ABK8966”. The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The right side of the barrel is marked “9MM CTG. PAT. 4127955”. The left side of the frame is marked with the S&W logo and the right side of the frame is marked with the 4 line Marcus Registradas address.
Barrel Length: The heavy barrel is 4” in length and has a thin solid rib along the top of the barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap. The top of the front sight has orange paint.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips on the square butt frame are checkered walnut with nickel S&W medallions at the top of each grip. The grips are in about Fine condition. The checkering is crisp with sharp peaks. There are a few checkers that are marred on the left grip.
Type of Finish: The revolver is blued, with a case colored hammer and trigger. The top of the barrel’s rib and the top strap have a matte finish to reduce glare.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The turn line is crisp. There are a few tiny scratches on the frame and . There is some operation wear on the crane where it slides against the frame. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lock-up is solid on all six chambers. The DA trigger is smooth and the SA trigger is crisp. The cylinder star has tiny finger type extractors that engage the extractor groove of the cartridges. The firing pin is floating and internal to the frame rather than being fixed to the hammer. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a blue factory cardboard box with cleaning accessories. The box is blue with white lettering. One of the end flaps has a factory label listing the correct make, model, caliber, serial number and barrel length of this pistol. The box has a separate white cardboard liner folded to fit this pistol. The outside of the box shows surface loss at its corners and a few light marks on its flat surfaces. The inside of the box is compressed slightly in the area of the cylinder and abraded in the areas of the hammer and the bottom of the butt. The box is in about Fine to Excellent condition. The cleaning accessories consist of a threaded aluminum cleaning rod with brass brush, both still sealed in their original plastic sack. There is also a speed loader included.
Our Assessment: The Smith & Wesson Model 547, commonly referred to as the 9mm Military Police Revolver, is a fascinating blend of classic revolver design and modern semi-automatic pistol caliber. Introduced in the late 1970s, it was chambered in 9mm Parabellum, a caliber typically associated with semi-automatic pistols. The revolver was created with law enforcement and military applications in mind, offering a seamless transition for personnel already using 9mm ammunition. Its unique design eliminated the need for moon clips, often required by other revolvers to properly headspace rimless cartridges, thanks to a specialized extractor system.
With a six-round capacity and built on Smith & Wesson’s robust K-frame, the 547 sports a variety of barrel lengths, though the 4-inch barrel is perhaps the most common. The firearm features a smooth double-action trigger pull that Smith & Wesson revolvers are known for. Though it features a relatively uncommon chambering for a revolver, its handling characteristics are very much in line with what one would expect from a classic Smith & Wesson wheelgun, delivering the expected accuracy and reliability.
In summary, the Smith & Wesson 547 9mm Military Police Revolver is a unique piece of firearms history that straddles the line between modern semi-automatic calibers and traditional revolver design. While it never achieved the widespread adoption that Smith & Wesson might have hoped for, its uniqueness has made it a sought-after piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Beyond its collector value, it remains a functional and versatile firearm, equally capable at the range as it would be in a self-defense scenario, all while offering the benefits of 9mm ammunition compatibility. -L.S.