I just acquired a Model 10, 4 screw, unfortunately no box or papers. According to my SCSW the SN- C 4657..- puts it around late 1960. On the other hand, SCSW also says that the dash 1 began in 1959. Which is more reliable in determining when a Smith was made- SN or dash? I'd appreciate any help you can give.

Possibly an earlier produced frame that waited to be assembled into a complete gun. By the way, the 10-1 was a bull barrel version, so it is also possible the model 10 was produced until it was replaced by the -2, not sure.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

1959? No, 10-1 appears 1961 AFAIK.

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No life story has happy end.

I don't have the knowledge to dispute what you say, however 3rd edition, page 174, says 10-1 [1959]; 10-2 [1961]. My original question, still unanswered is - which is a more reliable age indicator SN or dash?

Tyree,
Both are just approximations. If the date is very important you will need a letter. Also, note that the date that the gun left the factory may have little to do with the date that it was finished.
John

The standard (tapered barrel) Model 10 continued in production after the 10-1 (heavy barrel) was introduced in 1959. They were both produced concurrently. Only in 1961 did the standard barrel designation become 10-2, when the extractor rod threads were reversed. That same year (1961) the 10-1 became the 10-3, also due to the change in the rod threads.
So there is no "conflict" between the dash designation and the serial number on your gun.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

i might be wrong but could this be a pre- mod 10. with "c" starting serial

Finish dates/ship dates. Absolutely correct. Roy says 1948 to 1968-C 1 through C 1,000,000. I have Model 10 (no dash) C 491701 that was shipped from the factory on August 15, 1960. SCSW puts that serial number well into the 1961-1962 range. So, both methods of dating: SN and dash # are approximate.

The closest one on my list is about 6,000 lower, and shipped in 10/59. So yours would most likely have shipped early in 1960. Here is the list of changes and dates:

10-1 (1959): heavy barrel
10-2 (1961): change extractor rod thread for standard barrel
10-3 (1961): change extractor rod thread for heavy barrel, change front sight width from 1/10" to 1/8"
10-4 (1962): eliminate trigger-guard screw on standard barrel frame
10-5 (1962): change sight width from 1/10" to 1/8" for standard barrel
10-6 (1962): eliminate trigger-guard screw on heavy-barrel frame
10-7 (1977): change gas ring from yoke to cylinder for standard barrel
10-8 (1977): change gas ring from yoke to cylinder for heavy barrel
10-9 (1988): new yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand hammer nose bushing for standard barrel
10-10 (1988): new yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand hammer nose bushing for heavy barrel
10-11 (1997): MIM hammer/trigger + floating firing pin for standard barrel
10-12 (1997): MIM hammer/trigger + floating firing pin for heavy barrel
10-13 (2002): limited production 1899 commemorative edition
10-14 (2002): internal lock

Thank you for taking the time to explain the above. I didn't know if all subsequent production took on the dash after a change like adding the bull barrel option or not. Now I know.

Only a letter can give you the actual ship date, but I have a Mod 10 (no dash) 4 screw s/n C 4593xx, which was shipped Oct. 1959. That "could" have yours shipped late 59 or early 60.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244