Model 10 No Dash 3 inch Barrel 4 screw

[murphydog]

Very nice.........could that be a 3" tapered/standard barrel

I believe it has what the factory termed the "heavy" barrel, not as light or tapered as the "standard" barrel. I am not sure what the factory called the straight untapered barrel - "bull" is often used but don't know if that was official.

This is similar to the difference between the 3" model 36 (heavy) vs. 36-1 (bull?) barrels.

 

[Eddietruett]

I have serial number C467102 3" 4 screw with non matching Diamond Magnas. Gentleman I got it from said his father was a deputy and worked with the Feds raiding liquor stills. He Ordered it special and story is he killed a man with it but I bought the gun not the story. Has wear marks on the grips consistent with being carried a lot and the action is smooth as silk. It gets shot regularly.

 

[SmithNut]

I believe it has what the factory termed the "heavy" barrel, not as light or tapered as the "standard" barrel. I am not sure what the factory called the straight untapered barrel - "bull" is often used but don't know if that was official.

This is similar to the difference between the 3" model 36 (heavy) vs. 36-1 (bull?) barrels.

Wellllll, not sure about "heavy" for the light(er) tapered 3" guns. Rather than tapered, I use, and have heard others use "standard" barrel, versus the real heavy version of the 3" M10's.

Here's a pic of a standard 3" next to a 3" heavy barrel, both were in my 3" collection some years ago (with a few others of each barrel length)..

 

[SmithNut]

This thread shows a few of the 3" M10's in several engineering changes in both RB and SB frames......

http://smith-wessonforum.com/admini...3-inch-k-frames-part-1-38-special-models.html

 

[Kansasgunner]

Eddie Truett, your gun C467102 was one of the fifty gun order that went to Rex Firearms with mine!
It's listed in the right column of serial numbers. Very cool.

 

[Pepper51]

Well damn, got the letter back today. Attached the results. Hoping it was an original 3 inch. Wish I knew the rest of the story behind this gun. Sure does look original with the stamping of the barrel in the middle. Interesting fact is the ship date of 1972. That is 10 years or so from when it should have been. At least it is a good carry gun so I will add a Tyler-T grip and use it.

 

[Retired W4]

OK. The 3" barrel sure looks original. Regardless, great gun.

Any factory rework marks anywhere?

 

[press-1-for-english]

I would be very proud to own that gun no matter how it shipped. I hope you get many years of service out of that old workhorse.

 

[Pepper51]

OK. The 3" barrel sure looks original. Regardless, great gun.

Any factory rework marks anywhere?

No factory rework marks.

 

[Retired W4]

No factory rework marks.

Who ever swapped out the barrel did a fine job.

 

[Vtgw938]

Very nice revolver. I think it was very common to switch barrels back in the day. Gun shops/gunsmiths everywhere and no one carried if they were original or not.

The magna stocks are very nice and I would say dark goncalo.

 

[Pepper51]

I just got a message from Don Mundell that a mistake was made looking up the serial number as a "D" and not a "C" and that my gun is indeed an original 3 inch. A new letter will be sent next week, and I will post the result. Mistakes happen and I am very grateful of a correction.

 

[Toyman]

My 10-7 3 inch shipped November 1968

 

[Retired W4]

I just got a message from Don Mundell that a mistake was made looking up the serial number as a "D" and not a "C" and that my gun is indeed an original 3 inch. A new letter will be sent next week, and I will post the result. Mistakes happen and I am very grateful of a correction.

That happens. Rarely, but it does happen. Thanks to Don for going the extra mile.

 

[Grayfox]

I love a 3" K-frame. My favorite carry revolver. I have a 3" 10-8 and a 3" 13-4

Model 10-8

Model 13-4

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I've got a 3" M10-7 square butt that was a "rescue". It was apparently laid on something wet or hygroscopic for a long time and has serious pitting on the left side of the muzzle and the cylinder. The bore and chambers are pristine. I had it parkerized (it was originally blued) and it's my favorite carry revolver. It wears the now-discontinued Craig Spegel-designed Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips. I've run it in several classes, including Tom Givens' revolver class.

The serial number is 3D91XXX, so I guess it dates from the '78-'79 time frame.

 

[Pepper51]

That happens. Rarely, but it does happen. Thanks to Don for going the extra mile.

Yes, many thanks to Don AND Doc44 for taking the time to help sort this out. I am very grateful plus we can all learn something.

 

[yugolovr]

Wow, that is a nice model 10.

 

[Pepper51]

New corrected letter

I got the corrected letter today from the S&W Historical Foundation. Glad to see my model 10 is an original 3-inch gun.
The letter says "a copy of the invoice may be obtained by following the instructions on the attached form." There was no form included. Does anyone know how I can follow up with that?
Now I will look for a period correct set of checkered stocks just to keep with the gun.
Many thanks to all of you for the kind words and support.
Attached a copy of the letter about my gun for your information.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Rex Firearms liked those 3" guns. Yours is a nice one. I'm still on the hunt for October 1959, or even better 10/30/1959!