Mom gave me Grandads 38 Spl yesterday so I'd like some help with identification.

Hand ejector
Fixed sights
2" Barrel
SN C 125070
Model 6-L

Thanks
Greg

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This would be a 38 M&P, and would date to 1948 - 1951. Later after 1957 these would be marked as either Model 10 (most common), or Mod 11, or 12. A highly regarded mainstay of the S&W line.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Hi Marine! And welcome to the Forum.

This one very likely left the factory in 1950, but given shipping practices, it could have been later. By February, 1951, at least some guns in the C152xxx range were already shipping.

6L isn't a model number. It is probably a fitter's mark, used for QC during assembly.

The 2" M&P revolvers are very popular these days. Nice inheritance!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I have a M10-7 square butt snub that was my duty gun. I bought it from the city when we upgraded to the stainless revolvers.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

How did you figure the model from the information I provided? The handgun is in perfect condition so I'm going to keep Grandad with me as my daily personnal carry. Thanks for your help.

Based on the serial number and the fact that it's a 38 special. The C is a dead giveaway that it's a "Pre-10," given the info you provided. The consensus is to go easy on the +P ammo in that. S&W says that models that are numbered are safe for +p. Yours is not, although I don't know any metallurgical differences between yours and a Model 10.

Welcome to the Forum, fellow Marine!

Back before 1957-58, Smith & Wesson products had names. As stated, you have a 2" .38 Military & Police revolver. When model numbers were assigned, the products had names AND numbers. So your .38 M&P can also be considered a pre Model 10.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The Charlie prefix told us it was a fixed sight K frame revolver made after the war (post- March, 1948).

Only three models carried the C prefix:
1. .38 Military & Police (later the Model 10)
2. .38/200 Military & Police (later the Model 11)
3. .38 Military & Police Airweight (later the Model 12)

Since your revolver chambers the .38 Special, number 2 was eliminated. That one chambered the .38 S&W cartridge, not the .38 Special.

Moreover, the Airweight version wasn't introduced until sometime in 1952, and your serial number seemed a bit low to be on one of those. Besides, you didn't mention the word "Airweight" being on the barrel. These facts eliminated #3 for the most part.

Hence, by process of elimination, it had to be a .38 M&P (called by some the "pre-Model 10").

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I bought a M&P in the same configuration a few weeks back with a serial number approximately 800 higher than yours. It is a great shooting snub.

FYI, C102xxx left the factory in February of 1950. Yours is a real beauty - with history. Enjoy,

Jerry

Greetings from the Oregon Coast!

Your grandfather had very good taste in handguns. He'd be pleased to know that you're going to carry it.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I have a couple of M&P snubs just a couple years older. Fun guns! BTW, the stocks (grips) are known as sharp shouldered magnas which differentiates them from the later more rounded style. If you take the grip panels off (don't pry), you should find the SN without the 'C' stamped into the back of the right panel. There is no reason for me to suspect it won't, but if they match, the gun is all original.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Your grandad had good taste. I love these early snubbys. Here's one close to yours in a round butt.



And my early post war long action.

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Get off my lawn!

Snubby's Rule

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Thanks again everybody. I noticed while pretty young that Grandad had bought nice guns and took good care of them. Wish I had his Luger that he brought back from Italy (44-45). Took it to a local range yesterday and it's a honey. I was hitting what I was aiming at up to 25 yds. No idea a 2"barrel could be that accurate. The trigger in single action was like butter. I'm an old 1911 guy but I found my daily carry pistol. I'm thinking abought getting a after market grip so I can protect the original one.Something like a Hogue polymer. What model S&W pistols would be compatible with mine?

Shop for any K frame square butt grips, they are all the same.

Thank you. That should get it done.

Just a sentimental thought. You might want to keep your grandpappy's heirloom in semi-retirement. If you're sold on the idea of a medium frame revolver as your daily carry weapon, look into the very similar but more modern S&W Model 10 with a 2 inch barrel. The used market is quite plentiful and relatively affordable. Check the classifieds in this forum or your local gun stores. Save the "Dick Tracy" for the pistol range.