SW 38 Special ctg

[honda78750]

Hi,
I am new here, and came because I want to know more about this revolver. I hope my questions aren't too redundant to all, I am sure you have heard it before, I just don't know about this revolver though it has been in family as long as I can recall. I loaded two pics below and the serial on bottom of grip is 5D364667.. Thanks for any information your expertise might provide as to date of manufacture, etc.

[reddog81]

Does the box still have the label on it? That should have a lot of the details on it.

[Jim NNN]

5" barrel, model 10 it looks like. About 1979-ish. If the box is numbered to the gun, keep them together.

The model number will be visible when you open the cylinder (on the unpolished part of the frame that's exposed.) There will be a "dash" (-) after "model 10" and some other number, which I don't know for that year off the top of my head.

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the Forum. At first glance that is a Model 10-7 from about 1980. If you swing open the cylinder you should see a stamp on the concealed frame surface that reads MOD 10-7. The "dash seven" suffix means seventh revision since the 1957 decision to impose Model numbers on all S&W firearms. The general name for this model is the .38 Military & Police. It is the most popular model of firearm manufactured in the history of Smith and Wesson, with millions made since their introduction in 1899.

I think you put one too many digits in the serial number, but as long as the 5D3 beginning is correct, the timing will be the same.

A moderator may move this thread to a different forum that is proper for the gun's actual age.

[Texas Star]

The front sight looks like the earlier half-nickel sort, but I think that's a photo anomaly, the paper hiding the rear of the sight.

The barrel is six inches, not five. Measure barrel length from cylinder face to muzzle; some of the barrel is in the frame and beyond.

This is probably a very accurate gun in competent hands. Use Plus-P ammo in moderation, to avoid premature cylinder endshake.

[daddio202]

Even the box looks like it's in very good shape just, like brand new. The gun is stunning also. Sorry I have no info. for you just admiring nice gun and box.

[honda78750]

Ha I never noticed the tags on the ends of the box until someone above mentioned. It is M & P 6 in. barrel Serial is 5 D36 467 thanks for the info and the ammo suggestion.

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the Forum, honda78750!

Let me give you some of the reasoning behind the earlier posts, which will help you understand your revolver a bit more.

The box is from the Bangor Punta era of the S&W company, which began in 1965.

The barrel is 6" long, which most of us who have looked at thousands of these could see right away. It is also the "standard" barrel, which tapers down quickly right in front of the frame. That meant it had to be a 10-5 or 10-7. If you add to that the serial number in the 5D range, which is from 1979, then it had to be a Model 10-7. The dash 5 was used on the tapered barrel variant from 1962 until 1977. From 1977 until 1988, this variant was designated the Model 10-7.

The front sight with the slanted and grooved rear surface was used from the early 1950s onward, on the Military & Police model. The M&P became the Model 10 in 1958.

To David's point about the number of digits in the serial number, there were "never" more than 6 numeric digits used, even when there is one or more in front of the letter. (Note: there is at least one known exception to this rule, but it isn't relevant to the current question.) So we knew there should be only five digits after the D, not six as you originally stated.

5D numbers were all issued in 1979, but your revolver could have shipped the following year, 1980, as David mentioned.

Anyway, I hope that helps you in understanding your family firearm. We are glad you are here. Stick around; this is a fun place to hang out with lots of nice people who care about S&W firearms and their history.

[GyMac]

That is a very fine gun! I love the longer barreled 10's! My six inch 10 shoots as well as my K-38.

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM! Nice gun you have there. It can be cared for and handed down for generations. My Father gave me a 6" M&P shipped June of 1919 some years back. Not a show piece by any means. It did shoot quite well. I gave it to my oldest son about 5 tears ago. I can still take it to the range, or say Hi. Bob

[dcopper]

Welcome to the Forum from Arkansas! Absolutely gorgeous piece of S&W History. Shoot it and clean it well and it will last forever!

[TAROMAN]

Nice revolver.
Looking very much like my 10-7: