Strange K frame model 101

[gjamison]

Looking for information on this. Never seen anything like it.

[Laketime]

I saw that on Facebook. Something just doesn’t look right with the markings almost like it came out of Brazil.

[gjamison]

Originally Posted by Laketime

I saw that on Facebook. Something just doesn’t look right with the markings almost like it came out of Brazil.

Definitely looked very odd to me.

[StrawHat]

I am not familiar with that Model number. But, way back in my memory banks I do recall a 38 S&W Special with a reinforced ejector lug and adjustable sights that went overseas to a Police/Military group. Someone with better memory or research books will be along to help.

Kevin

[Doc44]

The revolver has been back to S&W in 1968 and 1975. It has been refinished at least once. APD may be a police department stamping, but I am not sure. The extractor rod appears to have a right-hand thread so the revolver dates to at least the early 60s (does it have a 4-screw frame?). The cylinder appears to be for a .357 Magnum and has recessed charged holes. Definitely worth a factory letter.

Could be a Model 19 that was remarked as a .38 SPL (marking doesn't look like how S&W would have done it) because that is what an officer was authorized to carry???

Bill

[Modified]

That barrel marking doesn't appear to be a rollmark. Almost looks like an electropencil?

I can't imagine the factory put that marking on the barrel. I can't speak to anything else, but man is that barrel suspect.

[OFT II]

Originally Posted by Modified

That barrel marking doesn't appear to be a rollmark. Almost looks like an electropencil?

I can't imagine the factory put that marking on the barrel. I can't speak to anything else, but man is that barrel suspect.

I agree. If the factory had marked the caliber on the barrel it would likely read "38 S&W Special".

[gmborkovic]

Does the "8" in 38, look slightly canted to the right?

[BAM-BAM]

Back in the late 60s and 70s there was a lot of public hysteria about Police officers carry .357 magnum revolvers. Lots of new "Law Enforcement Only" +P and +P+ .38 Special loads introduced to get around this PR issue.

I know cus Dad had/was issued several boxes of the stuff ; which he carried in his 6" .357 Colt New Service.

WAG;this may be someone's attempt to skirt the .357 issue but still have the .357 heat treated barrel and recessed cylinder of a model 19 for the super hot .38 +P+ ammo that hit the marked in the mid-70s

[Jim Watson]

Magnum length cylinder, what ammo will it chamber?

[austintexas]

Some where in the bottom of one of my safes I have a M-19 marked 38 Special ( I think it was made for a South American country). I also own a M-10 in 357 magnum, they were a test run to see if 357 magnum would work in a M-10 format. Precursor to the M-13. In fact it came in the original box serial numbered to the gun but the box was marked M-13

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by Modified

That barrel marking doesn't appear to be a rollmark. Almost looks like an electropencil?

That was my first thought......Ben

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by austintexas

I also own a M-10 in 357 magnum, they were a test run to see if 357 magnum would work in a M-10 format. Precursor to the M-13.

I don't think it was actually a "test run." It was in response to a special order from the New York State Police, who wanted a heavy barrel M&P chambered for the .357 Magnum. So S&W produced a limited run of Model 10-6 revolvers chambered for that cartridge. I actually have two of them that shipped to the NYSP.

The project was successful and the FBI, among others, expressed an interest. Hence, the origin of the Model 13-1.

[FPrice]

A while back I started a thread about a supposed S&W J-frame which did not look quite right.

Help to ID a J-Frame - S&W or Not

Turns out it was most likely a "copy" of a S&W.

I am curious if this might be a similar situation?

[stansdds]

That's interesting. The top front of the frame looks like it's a Model 10 and there have been fixed sight S&W revolvers converted to adjustable rear sight. The "38 SPL" definitely does not look like a factory roll marking. My guess... it's a customized Model 10-1. I like it, but I don't think this is a factory made piece.


I did find another Model 101 on another board and this was from 2013. The frame is clearly stamped MOD 101, but it is without a doubt a Model 10. It is possible that when S&W switched production from MOD 10 to MOD 10-1 that whoever was stamping the frames left out the hyphen, thus a number of Model 10-1's were Model 101's.


Link to the thread:
S&W mod. 101? | The Firearms Forum

[Hondo44]

The most interesting thing about that gun is the extractor rod shroud.

The front face of the Model 10 frame is not vertically long enough for the normal size Model 19 barrel shroud; the shroud would hang down past the front frame surface and leave a gap.

The shroud on this barrel has had material removed from the bottom surface to fit the Mod 10 frame.

It reminds me of when I installed a Model 53 .22 magnum barrel with shroud on a K-22 Combat Masterpiece (pre model 18) which of course doesn't have the barrel shroud. I also had to remove metal from the bottom of the .22 Magnum shroud to fit the K-22 frame.

[Model19man]

Originally Posted by stansdds

That's interesting. The top front of the frame looks like it's a Model 10 and there have been fixed sight S&W revolvers converted to adjustable rear sight. The "38 SPL" definitely does not look like a factory roll marking. My guess... it's a customized Model 10-1. I like it, but I don't think this is a factory made piece.


I did find another Model 101 on another board and this was from 2013. The frame is clearly stamped MOD 101, but it is without a doubt a Model 10. It is possible that when S&W switched production from MOD 10 to MOD 10-1 that whoever was stamping the frames left out the hyphen, thus a number of Model 10-1's were Model 101's.


Link to the thread:
S&W mod. 101? | The Firearms Forum

Agree. It's an example of a mis - stamped revolver with lots of modifications over the years. And probably a re - blue too. Hopefully you bought it as a good shooter.

[Dvus]

38 SPL markings are definately not factory. Barrel also appears to have a better polish to it before it was blued. I would like to see a better picture of the left side lettering.

[hkcavalier]

Misstamped 10-1 frame maybe?

Interesting gun though. A Model 10/19

[2152hq]

There seems to be quite a few Mod 101 's out there if you do a search.

They are Heavy Bbl Model 10 in 38 Special from what I can gather.
The general thought is that the marking is 10-1 w/o the hyphen.

The OP's revolver I think just one of them that has had the adj site added aftermarket as well as a Model 19 bbl.
(Is that a Mod 19 cylinder squeezed into the frame window?)

The 357 cal bbl marking removed and by what ever methods available to them,,38 SPL was added before reblue.

The marking looks hand cut, especially the SPL.
The 38 may have been as well and then gone over carefully with a point punch to try and smooth up the circles and arcs that make up #'s like 3,8,6&9.
You still can;t straighten them though if they lean too much to one side or the other.

The pin for the front lock has been in and out of the shroud more than a few times with a punch guided by shakey hands.

Someones custom revolver IMO.
Maybe to side step a PD or Security Co reg of .38spcl only for carry.

[GT_80]

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

Magnum length cylinder, what ammo will it chamber?

I’m told 38 and 357, and it is a recessed cylinder

[GT_80]

I took the pics of it, here are a couple more-

Serial number is C521xxx and it is a 4 screw

6A59B79D-3040-4A2C-84B8-F7F82DAE9CF7.jpg

7510A48F-A3B3-403C-9ED8-9C918D262A70.jpg

D55E06A1-4FF9-4A96-8907-E736B9B7AA25.jpg

D50FF3D2-326F-4EC3-99AA-BED89553572D.jpg

1A7C0DB1-F958-4F29-B8B1-321FDC590B30.jpg

[Muley Gil]

With a "C" prefix, this revolver started out with fixed sights.

[GT_80]

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

With a "C" prefix, this revolver started out with fixed sights.

That’s what I figured

[sceva]

I Like it. Looks like someone knew what they wanted and had it made or made it to suit them.

[murphydog]

A bull barrel model 10 with an adjustable rear and front sight with ramp attached...aside from the ejector rod shroud it looks like a Dayton Gun Sports/Hanen Special.

[jcelect]

Maybe it's a factory gun that no one knew what to call it so they used it as a practice piece to teach new employees how to stamp a gun! Just a passing thought! ? !
jcelect

[MrG5122]

I wonder if the backstrap is grooved?

[DARE]

So to summarize....
Most likely we have a model 10-1 that is missing the dash. A barrel from a model 19 has been added along with a .357 cylinder. Some work was done to make the shroud fit the frame. Adjustable rear sight added along with TT,TH. Gun is marked .38 spl even though it will chamber magnum loads. Barrel marking not by S&W.
Did I miss anything?

[GT_80]

Originally Posted by MrG5122

I wonder if the backstrap is grooved?

Yes it is grooved

[GT_80]

Originally Posted by JADARE

So to summarize....
Most likely we have a model 10-1 that is missing the dash. A barrel from a model 19 has been added along with a .357 cylinder. Some work was done to make the shroud fit the frame. Adjustable rear sight added along with TT,TH. Gun is marked .38 spl even though it will chamber magnum loads. Barrel marking not by S&W.
Did I miss anything?

From all I have read the model 101 we’re almost exclusively ordered and shipped to police departments- I think it may have been a mode number for S&W to use to debit any custom order police guns, but I cannot be sure.

It’s my buddy who has possession of this gun right now, his wife’s sisters boyfriend owns it, his father was a cop, and supposedly it was his duty gun that he rebarrelled to a 2 1/2” the later had the factory 4” barre out back on (which is supposedly what is on now) work was again, supposedly all done by S&W factory,

[Benton Quest]

The target hammer and trigger were not normally preferred by PDs.

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