Before me is a mystery. I desperately want to know the history of a S&W gun that I have. It was 1) either my great grandfather's who died in 1884 (policeman killed in line of duty in Kentucky) or 2) his wealthy son-in-laws who died in 1934. Not shot since. The serial # is 150xx (saving last two digits for now) and on the 'thing' that the bullets go in is inscribed July 1.84.; April 9.89; March 21.94.; May 29.94. and Smith & Wesson and Springfield, Mass.
What do I call it? Looking at the web pages I come up with Model 10, classic revolver, holds 6 bullets. Need to know so much more if someone can help. Thanks!

Hey KG and welcome.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I will come along shortly. You've come to the right place.

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Isaiah 41:10

Welcome from south Texas. As SC Mike said, I'm sure some one here will be able to help.

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"I'm your huckleberry".

Posting pictures would be quite helpful and worth your while.

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
You are certainly at the right place to get information, and I am certain the right prople will be along shortly to fill in the blanks.
Please see what you can do to provide some pictures..... then the mystery will reveal itself. Let there be no doubt in your mind about it!

Welcome from Tampa

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NRA Bene Life, SWCA 2372

Welcome from Texas KentuckyGal. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Welcome from Va.

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Roger

Welcome to the forum!
A picture and caliber would help.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Welcome from ND

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John

Since this is the new member introduction section, you will no doubt get the answer to your question over in the 1896 to 1961 revolver section. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania!

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.:God Bless America:.

Welcome from Wisconsin!

^^What CIsland said^^ I'd put money on you getting an answer there. That failing a call to S&W might be in order.

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Former USN, Retired US Army

Your question is intriguing and the story interesting. Because your post count is still at 1, I assume you have not yet posted your question in another thread in this forum. The appropriate place, based on your post, would be the S&W Hand Ejectors 1896 to 1961. Because your revolver is a 6 shot, you are on the right track to have located the possibility of a Model 10. However, given the time frames you describe, it likely predates the Model 10 designation. It may be an M&P (Military and Police), which is the predecessor of the Model 10.

I doubt it was owned by your great grandfather if your research indicates it resembles a Model 10 as Smith and Wessons of that era opened with a hinge-like mechanism as opposed to a cylinder (the part that holds six rounds) that rotates out the left side of the frame. Does the cylinder rotate as described?

More information is needed to make an accurate identification. There should be a caliber designation, possibly on the side of the barrel (the part ahead of the cylinder that hold the front sight). This could be .38 S&W Ctg. (Short for Cartridge), .38 S&W Special Ctg. or others starting with .44 or .45. This would help.

Pictures are invaluable but can be a challenge to post; the instructions on the home page of the forum. The more information you can provide, the more accurate we can be in identifying your firearm. Barrel length measured from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel. Any other markings in addition to the serial number, which is located on the bottom of the butt of the revolver, below the probably wooden grips.

Thank you for the post. I hope we can help you with "the rest of the story."

KentuckGal,

Welcome to the forum, a lot of very helpful people here.

My best guess is that you have a .32 Hand Ejector, 1st Model, double action revolver, also called Model 1896. The "thing the bullets go into is called a "Cylinder" If I am guessing correctly the inscriptions are on the the cylinder.

These guns shoot the .32 S&W Long Cartridge (Bullet) and were produced from 1896 until 1903, almost 20,000 were made. Most were Nickel plated in those days but they also came blued. The partial serial number you gave is correct for that period.

A very interesting gun to say the least, plus the added family connections.

Hope this helps,

P.S. I just noticed that "Jsmith" posted pictures of this gun on the "S&W Hand Ejectors 1896-1961" forum on 11/16/2015. Check it out and see if that is in fact the gun you have.

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436

Welcome from the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey.

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Judge control not gun control!

welcome from south florida

thanks for the lead and info. I am struggling to learn how to move around this web site. I want to save the posts but can't seem to get them to print. Guess I will just have to 'hand write' your reply. Also I'd post a picture but have not figured that out yet. Thanks so much.

Welcome from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

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Keep on Chooglin'

KG, you can highlight the post you want to save, then hit copy. Open your word processing software, like Word, and then hit the paste command. Ain't perfect but it works.

KG

Please check your Private Mail. (upper right corner of screen)

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GARY
SWCA #2897, SWHF #436