I acquired a decent model 10 this week, a lot of holster wear, but near mint bore. I think this model started in 1977, my serial number is AAY4XXX, I was told on another forum that the serial number put it at around 1982. Any thoughts appreciated.

Looks nice. You were given correct information from the "other" forum. Serial# dates to about 1982.

That's a 'classic' piece with which many LEOs have trusted their life.

Nice score.

Model 10-8 started in 1977 (revision change) the first change from the original design was the 10-1 I believe.

At introduction it was called the .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899, so the basic design goes back a little further than you may of thought. It was also known as the Military & Police and the Victory Model (during WWII). Over six million have been made in it's 115 years of continuous production, more than any other centerfire revolver in history.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

10-1 (1959): Heavy Barrel
10-2 (1961): change extractor rod thread for standard barrel
10-3 (1961): change extractor rod thread for heavy barrel, change front sight width from 1/10" to 1/8"
10-4 (1962): eliminate trigger-guard screw on standard barrel frame
10-5 (1962): change sight width from 1/10" to 1/8" for standard barrel
10-6 (1962): eliminate trigger-guard screw on heavy-barrel frame
10-7 (1977): change gas ring from yoke to cylinder for standard barrel
10-8 (1977): change gas ring from yoke to cylinder for heavy barrel
10-9 (1988): new yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand hammer nose bushing for standard barrel
10-10 (1988): new yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand hammer nose bushing for heavy barrel
10-11 (1997): MIM hammer/trigger + floating firing pin for standard barrel
10-12 (1997): MIM hammer/trigger + floating firing pin for heavy barrel
10-13 (2002): limited production 1899 commemorative edition
10-14 (2002): internal lock

Right. They started calling it the Model 10 in 1957. Which was just kind of a random thing. Prior to that it was cataloged as the K-38 Military & Police, with direct lineage back to 1899. I wonder how many dash numbers there would be, if they had kept track of every change from 1899 onward.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I've got a round butt 4" heavy barrel Mdl 10-11 that was a former police gun -- Bud's is still selling similar revolvers (police turn-ins from Victoria, Australia) with the square butt for $319. Not bad, considering a new Mdl 10 Classic costs around $650.

My 10-11 is great, and I think the OP will enjoy the same accuracy. Mine is regulated for the 158 grain bullet at 25 yards, so it shoots a little high at my usual range distance of 21 feet. The sights are rudimentary but work fine once you get used to them. Silky smooth trigger, too.

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S&W Rover

I really hope so, I will detail clean it when I get the right tools, but it was pretty clean under the base plate. I plan on getting it to the range asap and will give a range report.

My first LE agency issued the Model 10 four inch round butt. Second agency issued the M15 four inch, both great duty weapons.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

My own list of engineering changes for the Model 10. Always looking for additional info or to correct any inaccuracies......

S&W Model 10 K-38 Military & Police M&P .38 Spl

-n 1957, Start of model number designation, tapered barrel, 4-screw, ships in two-piece box.
-1 1959, Introduction of heavy barrel HB version, 4-screw side plate.
-2 1961, Tapered barrel, internal changes, extractor rod thread to left-hand, 4-screw.
-3 1961, Heavy barrel, Internal changes, extractor rod thread to left-hand, 4-screw.
-4 1962, Tapered barrel, 3-screw side plate, eliminated trigger guard screw the 4th screw.
-5 1962, Tapered barrel, 3-screw side plate rear sight change, 1/10" to 1/8" front sight.
-6 1962, Heavy barrel version, 3-screw side plate, eliminated trigger guard screw.
-7 1977, Tapered barrel TB version, gas ring moved from yoke to cylinder.
-8 1977, Heavy barrel HB version, gas ring moved from yoke to cylinder.
. . 1982, Stopped pinning barrels. Transition to new style 2-piece cardboard box.
-9 1988, Tapered barrel, new yoke retention system, firing pin bushing, floating hand.
-10 1988, Heavy barrel, new yoke retention system, firing pin bushing, floating hand.
. . 1993 Brazilian contract guns with shrouded ejector housing, .357 length cylinders, 3-inch.
. . 1995, April, shipments begin in 1st gen blue plastic case.
. . 1997, Shipped with Master brand trigger lock in case.
-11 1997, TB, new style frame introduced, frame mounted firing pin, MIM trigger & hammer.
-12 1997, HB, new style frame introduced, frame mounted firing pin, MIM trigger & hammer.
. . 2001, November, shipping begins with fired case (FC) in individual envelope.
-13 2002 Model 1899 100th Year Anniversary Commemorative, only 34 made.
-14 2002, Introduction of Internal Lock System ILS, heavy barrel.
. . 2006, March, transition to 2nd gen blue plastic case.
. . 2010, Classic Series with wood Diamond Magna Stocks. In current production.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Despite the antiquity, despite the limited number of rounds compared to high capacity weapons, that is still one of the finest fighting handguns ever made. I have more than a few Model 10s and I'd trust any of them with my life. Nicely done, says I!

That looks like a nice one, its hard to beat a k frame smith.