Ok, so my wife's son just bought this gun for around $400 or so. Best I can tell its an old M 10 but the markings are confusing and we haven't been able to get any hits on serial look-up sites we have tried.
This gun is chambered in .38 special.

Here's the gun




On the butt and under the barrel the serial numbers match and it seems to be 373111.

The only markings on the yolk are this number bare with no other marks 74978.

Any help with a date or a value would be appreciated. The workings are astonishing, like a new one, the finish is tired, but there is no rust or pitting, heck not even a scratch, just some worn out bluing

TIA

You have to tell us what the marking are, otherwise you are not likely to get any useful replies. Lanyard ring present? Or the hole for it? Foreign proof marks?

SN 373111 is a target model Military and Police (M&P). From the SN, it would likely have shipped sometime in the first half of 1921. It is far earlier than a Model 10, which did not exist until the late 1950s. $400 is a reasonable price.

It's a Military & Police Model with Target options (adjustable rear sight and higher front sight). Moderately rare and pretty cool.

Many people call all M&Ps a "model 10" but this is obvious incorrect. The M&P would evolve into the Model 10 in 1957 but nothing made before that date can be called by the model number.

Hint: All model designated S&Ws will have the model number stamped on the frame under the cylinder crane. If no model number is present then it likely predates the use of the model numbers.

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No life story has happy end.

Nice gun. Try some Flitz and Ren Wax to clean it up and you will be surprised at how it looks. I'd pay close to $600 as it is. After a good clean up, who knows. You might have an $800 gun. With no rust, pitting, or scratches the potential is high.

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Dr. B

Thanks guys, that's just what he wanted to know

If it has not been refinished I think he got a real bargain.
Clean it up and give it a coat of wax.

I'd bet a small amount that with carefully prepared wadcutters, that ol' iron will take the pips off of playing cards at 25 yards.
Lovely old piece !

Larry