I inherited a 10-5 with a 4" Barrel

[offrdmania]

I recently found out that I inherited a model 10-5 K-frame from my grandfather. When he died, it was left in the trust because I wasnt old enough at the time to take possession and so it sat in the safety deposit box. That was over 30 years ago.
The subject of guns came up during the holidays and my mom said that she remembered that a gun was left to me and that she had completely forgotten about it. Shes almost 80, how she remembered about it all of a sudden now amazes me.
I havent seen the gun yet and wont be able to touch it until the 19th. So far, I only have the affidavit that my grandfather left. It is a model 10-5, 4" barrel in .38 with a serial number of D278100. He thinks it was bought around 1970.
From this information, is there a way to tell if it is a square butt or round butt without a picture?

UPDATED** PICKED UP ON 2/19. A COUPLE PICS HERE AND MANY MORE DETAILED PICTURES ON POST #43.

 

[ReloadforFun]

1970 sounds right for that serial number.

I have it that D90,000 - D330,000 spanned 1969-1970.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Hard to say on butt type. I'm thinking that square butt is more likely. Yep, D278100 probably shipped in 1970. Its great that it was held for you.
Looking forward to pics when you can.

Todd

 

[rocknroad]

I recently got my father's 1971 Model 10-6 (thankfully, he handed it to me and I didn't have to inherited it).

The Model 10 is such a pleasure to shoot. I hope you will soon get the opportunity to take it to the range and send some down the lane.

As someone told me about my grandfather's S&W I inherited, every time I shoot it, it's like shaking hands with my grandfather. I hope you get that metaphor and enjoy.

 

[offrdmania]

The last time I saw my grandfather was when I was 12. I did receive all of his militaria though and a beautiful gold Gruen doctors watch that my grandmother gave him before he left for Europe in WWII.

I hope its square butt. I have an amazing square butt stock from the same era that need a new home.
If it does have a round butt.. Can a round butt frame fit in a square butt stock? And if so, does anyone make a filler piece for the gap at the back of the stock?

 

[rocknroad]

The last time I saw my grandfather was when I was 12. I did receive all of his militaria though and a beautiful gold doctors watch that my grandmother gave him before he left for his tour in WWII.

I hope its square butt. I have an amazing set of square butt stocks from the same era that need a new home.
If it does have a round butt.. Can a round butt frame fit in a square butt stock? And if so, does anyone make a filler piece for the gap at the back of the stock?

Check out eBay, if it is a round butt. There are lots of modern stocks for round-to-square-butt conversion.

 

[dubshooter]

I’ve got D314***

Square butt 4”. Great shooter

 

[offrdmania]

Is it safe to say that the 4" barreled models had a square butt and the shorter barrel models had the round butts?

 

[mic214]

Is it safe to say that the 4" barreled models had a square butt and the shorter barrel models had the round butts?

I think you could get a round butt on a Model 10 in any barrel length. My Model 64 is essentially the stainless version of the Model 10 and they only came with a square butt:

 

[S-W4EVER]

Is it safe to say that the 4" barreled models had a square butt and the shorter barrel models had the round butts?

My 10-5 w; 3” bbl has a square butt and my 10-10 w/ 4” HB has a round butt.

 

[offrdmania]

It sounds like ill just have to wait and see.

 

[AC Man]

I have a few 1905 to 1926 pre model 10's and they are all square butt's. Good luck!

 

[Masterbuck54]

I have a 4” round butt that was shipped in April 1970 D204xxx so anything is possible.

Glad to hear you’ll finally get it.

Looking forward to seeing photos one you have it.

Masterbuck54

 

[Muley Gil]

I think you could get a round butt on a Model 10 in any barrel length. My Model 64 is essentially the stainless version of the Model 10 and they only came with a square butt:

Some M64s came with round butts.

 

[alwslate]

The 4" tapered barrel 64s all came with PC grips I believe. I have one in the original box with the receipt for the original owner dated 1972. I also have a 10-8 3" RB but the 3" 10 SBs are commonly seen.

 

[mic214]

Some M64s came with round butts.

I know the 2” versions had round grips. I haven’t ever seen a 4” model with a round grip, but you never can say never when it comes to S&W’s!

 

[max503]

Personally, I like the round butt better. You can always put a bigger stock on them but you can't make a square butt smaller. Plus they fit my hand better.

 

[lkabug]

I have two 10-5's both 4 " barrels, both round butts.
Round butts are great. Especially if you intend to carry one.

 

[MajorD]

While it is entirely possible for any barrel length model 10 to have either a round or square butt ( while I can’t say for sure but I have never seen a round butt 6”) by far for a 4” the square is the most common. When you do get the gun in hand, if the grips are original ( in that era the serial number would be stamped on one of the grip panels) make sure not to lose or get rid of them, as a matching set of grips enhances the value of the gun ( not that I would expect you to sell it anyway)
Standard barrel 4” model 10’s were the workhorse bread and butter gun of S&W, more being made than any other gun type by S&W ( it may even be in some production yers they made more model 10’s than all other guns combined) for a simple basic product they still had a lot of pride in workmanship and they still represent a by gone era in American manufacturing

 

[offrdmania]

While it is entirely possible for any barrel length model 10 to have either a round or square butt ( while I can’t say for sure but I have never seen a round butt 6”) by far for a 4” the square is the most common. When you do get the gun in hand, if the grips are original ( in that era the serial number would be stamped on one of the grip panels) make sure not to lose or get rid of them, as a matching set of grips enhances the value of the gun ( not that I would expect you to sell it anyway)
Standard barrel 4” model 10’s were the workhorse bread and butter gun of S&W, more being made than any other gun type by S&W ( it may even be in some production yers they made more model 10’s than all other guns combined) for a simple basic product they still had a lot of pride in workmanship and they still represent a by gone era in American manufacturing

Ive been talking to my uncle about the gun. I think the original stocks are long gone. He tells me the gun has rubber grips, probably Pachmayr