I just picked up a Pre-Model 10 in 99% condition. It came with the original gold box and a couple of cleaning tools. S&W Customer Service told me it shipped, "Around 1948" which seems pretty ambiguous. I'll request a letter when I get a chance. Can anyone tell me what originally came with the gun? I'd like to make this one as authentic as I can. Serial # is C5878X.

Others have a complete package from this era, but if it came with the cleaning rod, brass brush and cotton swab I think you have everything except the "vapor paper" and a pamphlet titled "Helpful Hints".

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Those early post war S and low serial C guns are my favorites.
Im picturing a 5 screw with half penny site, "High Speed" hammer and 4 line address finished in low luster blue ,

The variable will be flat bottom or PC diamond Magnas...

I'll verify this when I get home but it seems to me I have a C56,000 and a C58,000 that both shipped in 1949.

You mean like this 1950 vintage C prefix gun?

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Vaya con Dios

Flat bottom magnas.

I'd appreciate that. Am hoping it's a 1949 ship, my birth year.

C58650 shipped 5/17/49 so unless one of them is way out of order I would expect that yours also shipped in 1949.

That's great. Thanks. Now....if it letters to the month of July that will be a real bonus.

Thanks for sharing the pics. I've got a early C-prefix 2 inch M&P (C 26710). I'll take a guess that it was built between 1947 or 1948. It's PD marked and has alot of it's finish worn off, but I still shoot it. It's one of my favorite C-prefixes.

According to the SCS&W, the C prefix started in 1948.

I had an S prefix with a one line address that lettered to 1947.

So, anything is possible, but I'd guess it's from 1948.

Here's one that was made a little earlier than yours: 1946 (C843XXX).

Note the difference in the hammer. Yours is the "new" fast action "short throw". Mine is the old fashion "long throw. I believe the change was made in 1948(?).

Seems like the more I learn, the less I know.

Here is a couple to compare,

This 1946 M&P serial S 864,4xx has the same grips your early C serial gun but is an early long throw hammer and one line address .


10 years later
This 1955 M&P snub C 328,5xx has similar features to your low C serial but with later Plain clothes Magnas and High Polish finish,

My C 33908 lettered to December 1948, which is my birth year. It had been sent back to S&W January 1950 for some work. It has some honest holster wear and it has been shot, but otherwise it's a great, well cared for, tight gun. It's among my favorite shooters. I love these things.

Attached Images

1948 004.jpg (140.2 KB, 181 views)

Yeah

I recently acquired a Helpful Hints pamphlet witha photo of the highway patrolman wearing riding boots and baggy pants.

On the back page, there's a cut away view of a 6" M&P with 5 screws and hammer block on the side plate. It has a one line address.

There's no date, but has the following legend,
"M.J.O.'M.CO. PRINTED IN U.S.A."

Would this pamphlet be appropriate for my 1949 Pre-Model10?

Roy Jinks verified this gun was shipped in March 1949. I'm pleased as punch. That's my birth year. Been looking for a long time, hoping to find a nice 1949 Smith and Wesson.

Hey "Engine49guy"...like this?
Bob

I am picking up a pre 10 tomorrow SN S 915xxx tomorrow. 1 Liner. I will post a pic on here so we can compare. Nice gun. BTW Babalooie... is your birthday March or July?

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Here is the pre- 10 I picked up today. SN S 915Xxx From 1946-48 One line address made in USA. I posted a bunch of pics in a separate post.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

It's July. Had a senior moment.

Too bad you're across the country, my pre model 10, SN # C8234x, 5" barrel, diamond flat bottom magnas (# to gun), 4 line address, was shipped July, 1949 per Mr. Jinks.

Got it from an old lawman who carried it on the job.

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S&WCA # 2045

Are you interested in a trade? If so, PM me and we can discuss options.

1949 C prefix here.
I think the number on the back strap is a department number.
15651
I should letter it.







http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...nishedgrip.jpg

[IMG][/IMG]

When I picked up this gun the front sight was red back was green and thick varnish on the grips. If it had an NPPD ON IT it could have been from Santa's Workshop .

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Have a blessed day ,
Bull

Something is amiss here. I'm sure you meant to write: S843xxx. That would be approximately October, 1946. A bunch of 2" revolvers shipped in that serial range in October and November, 1946. The C numbers started at C1 in March, 1948.

You are right about the long and short action. I have a large and growing database of S prefix M&P revolvers. There are some late examples with the high speed hammers. I have yet to identify a single example of a C prefix gun with the long action. By the time the C guns came out, I think S&W was finished with the older style action.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Just wanted to chime in on this older thread..I will be picking up a pre-model 10 today. Ser# S831xxx. Nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary, except 99% condition and vintage Eubanks flap holster included. Will post pics later.
Jim

Most likely Mar/Apr 1949. Could be a little later, but only a letter would tell for sure.

That's likely to be a mid-1946 shipped M&P, a bit early to be a "true" pre-Model 10 since it will still have the long action which changed in 1948. Collectors generally limit the pre-Model category to the short action guns from 1948 until the appearance of model numbers in 1957-59.

Thanks for the correct terminology. I guess the gun shop had it tagged right as .38 M&P and I just assumed being post war, it would be called a pre-Model 10. Learn something new on nearly every visit!
Jim

CWO4 to the rescue.

I stopped at a local shop today - just had to rescue a S&W 2" Snubby. It needs TLC - rusty under the grips, diamond grips, 4 line address, barrel marked .38 Smith & Wesson SPC CTG.

Serial number is C 99648. Anyone narrow the shipping date down for me? Looking at other posts it would appear to be made in the 1948-50 time frame.

Photos later.