Hello, and help me identify gun please!

[Nlpmacko]

Gun is hand ejector, fixed sight, marked 38 s&w spc ctg on barrel. Serial number c258457 no model number in crane.

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum. Alloy frame or steel frame ? Ed.

[Nlpmacko]

Ed, it is steel, I was told pre 10 but the box says 12-2 not sure the box goes with it. Thanks for reply and having me in the group

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by Nlpmacko

Ed, it is steel, I was told pre 10 but the box says 12-2 not sure the box goes with it. Thanks for reply and having me in the group

A M12-2 would have an aluminum frame.

Your revolver dates to around 1953.

[Nlpmacko]

Thanks, I was told 53 as well when I purchased. Does this look like it could be a pre 10?

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by Nlpmacko

Thanks, I was told 53 as well when I purchased. Does this look like it could be a pre 10?

Yup, it does.

[Texas Star]

Model 10 is steel; Model 12 has a light alloy frame and some frame dimensions vary, I think.


Because this gun has the squiggle hammer, it dates from 1948-about 1956.


See if the frame attracts a magnet, as steel does.


Are the grips real ivory?


Model numbers weren't assigned until 1957, and I believe that that also coincided with new, stronger metallurgy in some models.


But, yes, the basic answer is that if steel, your gun was what was later named Model 10. It was still called the Military & Police model and is the best known S&W revolver, and also the bestselling quality revolver of all time. You have the snubnose version.


Over the last century and more it came with barrel lengths from two to 6.5 inch. Rnd. or sq. butt. You have the round butt form.


In view of your having to ask about this very basic, famous model, I think you URGENTLY need to buy at least two books. One is Elmer Keith's, Sixguns. Look for the revised 1961 edition; it has expanded content, some very important.


Also, get Geoffrey Boothroyd's, The Handgun, Crown Publishers, 1970. Without these and other books, you will remain a babe in the woods re handgun knowledge.

[Nlpmacko]

Thanks for the knowledge! Although I may not know everything about every Smith ever made, I'm not exactly a babe in the woods either. Thought forums were a good place to learn but if you would rather I read books . I can do that . Thanks anyway

[Kansasgunner]

Welcome to the forum. As others already posted you have a Military & Police 2" round butt. Neat gun!

[OLDSTER]

Welcome from North Dakota. Nice M&P snubbie

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Great little M&P you've got there. I have a 2" with a round front sight on my shopping list, but they keep dodging me. One of these days.

Enjoy yours,

Bob

[Nlpmacko]

Thanks again to everyone who replied! And thanks for the welcome . My main reason for looking for more info is everything I have seen or read on them says they came original with color cased trigger and hammer. Mine does not have that. Although it has correct squiggly trigger and the fine checkering on the hammer. So my thoughts were it was replaced or possibly wore off? I have never held an original pre 10 before this one so I am looking for all I can find. I think I may do the 50 dollar letter from smith.

[Skeetr57]

The picture quality is not good enough for me to venture an opinion on the originality of the finish on the hammer and trigger, but casehardening color is always some what random and variable. The case hardening is not very deep, only a few thousandths of an inch, and the color is on the surface only. so it is not very durable. I have both the books cited above, but both are out of date and the authors are both dead, so an update of either is unlikely. The best current reference for S&W guns is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW), the latest version of which is only a couple of months old. By the way, the price of the letters has increased, and is $85 now I believe. I have the same model gun as yours, but mine has the square butt.

[two-bit cowboy]

In the interest of correct info I contradict my learned colleague from SC; the letter fee is $75.

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.co...quest_form.pdf

Cheers,

Bob