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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 06-12-2017, 03:32 PM
goldfish_in goldfish_in is offline
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Default Help with identifying Grandpa's Model 10

Hello All,

I have my grandfathers model 10. It has fixed sights, 4 inch barrel, and is chambered in 38 special. Family legend has its was once a Detroit Police service revolver, although its not marked.

Could someone help me date the serial number 506,481?

Would a historical letter have any information regarding being shipped to a police department?

Thanks,
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Old 06-12-2017, 03:37 PM
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It would have shipped around mid-1925. If it was shipped directly to a police department by S&W, that information would be provided in the letter.
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Old 06-12-2017, 03:51 PM
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The Detroit Police Dept. is well-known among collectors for stamping all their issue revolvers with DETROIT POLICE on the backstrap and a number. Before WW II, all guns I've come across so marked were Colts, the earliest a Colt Police Positive .32 from 1915, so the practice was established by then. Post-war, they switched to S&W, and guns shipped directly to the department; I've seen Detroit letters for post-war M&P's.

Given the year DWalt provided, it is therefore rather unlikely that this was an official issue Detroit gun and would letter as such. Of course, officers could and did carry personally acquired sidearms in many jurisdictions, so that does not invalidate your background story.

Last edited by Absalom; 06-12-2017 at 03:54 PM.
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Old 06-12-2017, 03:54 PM
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From the photo, your Model 10 appears to be a five-inch. Hard to tell.

Last edited by federali; 06-12-2017 at 03:55 PM.
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Old 06-12-2017, 03:58 PM
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Surprised the usual Forum suspects have not noted you have a .38 Military & Police revolver; after 1957 it would have also been called the model 10 .
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Old 06-12-2017, 09:03 PM
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I don't know where those grips came from...but I like em!
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Old 06-12-2017, 09:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by federali View Post
From the photo, your Model 10 appears to be a five-inch. Hard to tell.
...I agree...looks like a five inch barrel...Model of 1905 4th change...has interesting and later grips...nice revolver...mine is 4958xx from 1925...
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Old 06-12-2017, 09:16 PM
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Barrel looks longer than 4" to me as well. You must measure from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder. Often people measure from the muzzle to the point where the barrel joins the frame, hence the short measurement.

Family stories often change as they are handed down from generation to generation. I wonder if he got it from a policeman. Or from a police sale. I believe I have heard that back in the day police departments would sell off guns they had confiscated from miscreants or found at crime scenes. Money was tight, especially in the 1930s. Guns were not vilified to the extent they are today so I doubt anyone back then would object to that practice. In fact, there would probably be a lot more of an outcry if such guns were melted down. Different times.
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Old 06-12-2017, 11:26 PM
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I have learned from personal experience that Family Legend is unreliable, especially without documentation. What everyone believes as fact is often a distorted version of the truth. And the older the legend, the more the distortion.
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Old 06-13-2017, 07:30 AM
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People just naturally embellish family stories. Don't tell anybody, but I do it myself.
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Old 06-13-2017, 08:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Flash View Post
I have heard that back in the day police departments would sell off guns they had confiscated from miscreants or found at crime scenes. Money was tight, especially in the 1930s. Guns were not vilified to the extent they are today so I doubt anyone back then would object to that practice. In fact, there would probably be a lot more of an outcry if such guns were melted down. Different times.
They still do. My LGS buys such guns

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Old 06-13-2017, 08:39 AM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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Welcome to the Forum, goldfish in

Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
I have learned from personal experience that Family Legend is unreliable, especially without documentation. What everyone believes as fact is often a distorted version of the truth. And the older the legend, the more the distortion.

I agree. Family lore says that my GG Granddaddy suffered a wound to his stomach during the War of Northern Aggression. However, a check of the surviving records shows that it was a case of "debilitous", aka diarrhea.
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Old 06-13-2017, 12:39 PM
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It might well be a former PD gun, but unlikely from DPD. Unless it was your relatives service weapon & his servce documented... I don't think the possible PD connection would be valueable & letters cost $75.
It is a pre-model number revolver which, if in good condition, adds to it's value & might make it worth the letter on that basis.
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