I just bought an S&W pre model 10 - 6" bbl, half moon front sight - in good shape externally and perfect inside. Serial number is S871506, 5 screw type, single line "Made in USA". Long hammer throw.

Reading the catalog and based on above I'm guessing a 1945 DOM?

The previous owner put some 1970's service stock on he gun - which would be correct originals, Diamond service?

I have a Military and Police in the S821xxx range, a bit lower than yours, and I have been told by a forum expert on these post-war revolvers that it most likely shipped in April of 1946. However, as it is always said, S&W did not always ship in serial sequence. And, dates of manufacture are not readily available - however, ship dates are.
Diamond service stocks are correct.

You need Diamond Magnas with a sharp shoulder. See Post #4 here-
Help w/ info on my pre model 10 and pre model 15


Also- you do not have a "Pre Mod 10". You have a "Transition 38 M&P". A Pre Mod 10 is a short action gun. Your gun has a long action.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

dsf
Your .38 Military & Police revolver, S871506, very likely shipped in January, 1947. As thadheth noted, they didn't ship in serial order, so that is only an estimate, but it is close.

Lee is correct. Sharp shoulder diamond Magna stocks with the postwar checkering pattern would be correct for your revolver. They would be like the pair on the bottom gun in this picture:


The top gun wears similar stocks with the prewar style checkering. A few M&Ps shipped in March and April of 1946, wearing this style.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thanks all - I have an extra set of post war that fit fine.

Rereading the SCSW on page 169 re "transition models" - does the single line address help narrow down DOM?

I'll post a photo later on. Picked up the gun in Maine. Am on vacation, my work cell phone is my camera and it's off limits until next Monday. Just finished a 3 day drive from East Sandwich, MA to SF and definitely didn't want work calls spoiling the drive.

Not really. What the book refers to as "transitional" models is clearly a reference to the adoption of the new hammer block near the end of the Victory production and the adoption of the High Speed hammer in early 1948. The 4 line address doesn't come into play until after the C prefix serial numbers started and, correspondingly, after production of the M&P had included the High Speed hammer. No S prefix gun, regardless of hammer configuration, ever had the 4 line address. Some of the earliest C prefix guns didn't have it either.

Some of us, yours truly included, don't consider the changes to the M&P to warrant the designation "transitional" anyway. There was an evolution of several features during that time, but the criteria used for the N frame "transitional" guns" is actually quite different. On the other hand, "transitional" is used regarding the M&P by many collectors, at least some of whom I personally hold in high regard. So, "you pays your money and takes your choice," as the old saying goes.

I suppose I should add a more direct reply to this part of your question:
Well, yes, actually. Sometime in the late Spring or early Summer of 1948, the 4 line address appears. After that, it became standard. But, as noted above, all the S prefix K frame guns had been produced prior to that time.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

My "kind of OK shape" grips match the gun's condition pretty well. I think this will be a nice all around shooter, for me and any novices to learn on & get used to center fire shooting. The aftermarket sight has been laying around for a few years, makes it a bit different -

IMG_0224.jpg

IMG_0223.jpg

Short actions are fine, but the older long action is so easy and smooth.

The Wondersight is a nice addition as is the grip adapter. I am partial to grip adapters and magnas, most of my shooters have them installed.

Never tried a Wondersight. They are still made, just never got one.

Kevin

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Wow, that would be a birth month and year gun for me, one of my grail guns...The search goes on......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

They work fine for windage. Elevation is a bit of a PITA. The nut that holds in slot tends to bind, you have to loosen up a lot to get her to move.

Not to put a fine point on it, but I think the world would be a better place without using the term "Transitional." It is far to vague as to its meaning.

I like it...For me it defines the particular time period in knowing why it was so named......Ben

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I can do without “Pre-Model”. Reasonably sure they did not have a clue what the model number was going to be years before it was decided.

Kevin

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