Pre Model 10 serial numbers

Babalooie

Babalooie

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I'm trying to locate a Pre Model 10 M&P with a ship date in 1949. Does anyone know the serial number range for that year?
 
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Serial numbers between about C45000 and C95000 probably shipped in 1949. But there can't be a hard and fast rule about this because S&W did not ship guns in serial number order, and they did not keep records of actual assembly date.
 
There's a guy selling a pre model 10 with a serial # C11437X. He claims he can tell the frame was made in 1949 by, "Research of available S&W history, little nuances of this particular revolver pretty much sets that date as being accurate. As you do not have this revolver in your hands it would be hard for you to research it in depth as we have."

Does this make sense?
 
Walk away. He's saying, "Trust me because I'm the expert."

A real expert would tell you exactly what "nuances" he is talking about because he would not be afraid of a discussion of the points.

Bear in mind that in S&Wland, the magic date is the shipping date. Obviously a gun's parts had to be manufactured before it was shipped, but there are no records of manufacturing dates.

Even if this seller proved me wrong by producing a photograph of this frame lying on the front page of a 1949 newspaper, I wouldn't buy from him just because his tone is so patronizing.
 
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DCWilson said:
Walk away. He's saying, "Trust me because I'm the expert."

A real expert would tell you exactly what "nuances" he is talking about because he would not be afraid of a discussion of the points.

Bear in mind that in S&Wland, the magic date is the shipping date. Obviously a gun's parts had to be manufactured before it was shipped, but there are no records of manufacturing dates.

Even if this seller proved me wrong by producing a photograph of this frame lying on the front page of a 1949 newspaper, I wouldn't buy from him just because his tone is so patronizing.
Click to expand...

Well, that's what got me. He said he couldn't say when it shipped or was assembled, but was positively sure when the FRAME was made. A very disappointing "expert". :mad::confused::mad:


Sooooooo back to the C58XXX gun. I figure it's the best chance, even if it doesn't pan out.
 
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Armory number on back strap, maybe?

Now I am if my .38 special 4 inch Pre 10 Hand Ejector 5 screw is really 1949 shipped.
On the bottom of the grip where I first look, is C 714xx

Then on the back strap is 15651 I think this may be an armors number from some PD ?

Inside the yoke is 17234 and G 3 17234 again inside the crane on the frame. I found out these are assembly numbers.
Then 714xx one the bottom of the barrel flat above the ejector when closed.

Any information would be welcomed.
Thanks,
Steve

pre10refinishedgrip.jpg
 
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Babaloo - in reference to your C189XXX that you listed - I have a 5" M & P that is C1847XX that I posted when I got it and was told that it dated to 1952 - which was fine as that's the year I was born. I'm sure that info doesn't help you much but just thought I'd post it as your C189XXX should be after 1952???
 
I show one higher SN and one lower SN than C189XXX, and I'd interpolate between their shipping dates to about 7/52. No guarantees, however, as I also show another one with a lower SN as shipping in mid-1953.
 
ibewbull said:
Now I am if my .38 special 4 inch Pre 10 Hand Ejector 5 screw is really 1949 shipped.
On the bottom of the grip where I first look, is C 714xx

Then on the back strap is 15651 I think this may be an armors number from some PD ?

Inside the yoke is 17234 and G 3 17234 again inside the crane on the frame. I found out these are assembly numbers.
Then 714xx one the bottom of the barrel flat above the ejector when closed.

Any information would be welcomed.
Thanks,
Steve
]
Click to expand...

The number on the bottom of the butt starting with C is the serial number; you know that. The five-digit number on the backstrap is most likely a police officer's shield number; I'd put some money on NYPD, since they required it in exactly that place (mostly; some were marked awkwardly on the butt next to the serial), and because their guns were the officer's and not the department's property, there are quite a few floating around in the collectors' market.
 
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Pre 10 or 36, who knows?

I am new to the S&W forum. I will appreciate any expertise you can provide.
I recently acquired a .38 special and cannot identify whether it is pre 10 or 36 model. The serial number is C149596. The serial number is stamped on the handle, barrel and cylinder. There are numbers on the yoke stem in two lines, 27 on the first line and 7324B. From my research, I believe it is a pre-model number (10 or 36?). I am attaching pictures.
I called S&W and they could only tell me that the C in the serial indicates that it could be a 1948 to 1951 model.
Here's what I know about it:
Nickle plated - without original grips
Gold, checkered hammer and cylinder release
Gold, knurled trigger
2" barrel
Double action
6 shot
Square butt
5 screw
Half moon single site
Hand extractor with rod knob
Pinned barrel
Post-war Made in USA mark
Non-recessed cylinders
Looks like a round firing pin
Two line S&W with 38S&W SPC CTG on barrel
 

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Iris said:
. . . I recently acquired a .38 special and cannot identify whether it is pre 10 or 36 model. The serial number is C149596 . . . Here's what I know about it:
Nickle plated - without original grips
Gold, checkered hammer and cylinder release
Gold, knurled trigger
2" barrel
Double action
6 shot
Square butt
5 screw
Half moon single site
Hand extractor with rod knob
Pinned barrel
Post-war Made in USA mark
Non-recessed cylinders
Looks like a round firing pin
Two line S&W with 38S&W SPC CTG on barrel
Click to expand...

Two features you describe clearly make this a K-frame .38 Military & Police (pre-model 10) . . . being a six shot and having a "C" prefix serial number. A pre-36 would be five shot and likely a "J" prefix s/n.

Great classic S&W revolver . . .

Russ
 
Russ,
Thank you this information. I can now continue my research on the pre 10. I appreciate your help.
 
C149596 would most likely have shipped in April, 1951. What you have is a prettied-up M&P snubbie (K-frame), the prettying-up almost certainly done outside the S&W factory. The grips are interesting. I don't think they are ivory, but they could be.
 
Thank you, DWalt. The grips remind me of Bakelite, a popular 1950's hard plastic. I don't think they are ivory, either. I am not an expert, but I don't think that ivory yellows to the color of thess grips. I appreciate your help!
 
I just sold c56xxx that shipped July of 49. I still have c58xxx that shipped May of 49.
 
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DWalt, I've searched numerous sites to get an idea of the ship date for this gun. Do you mind if I ask what reference you used for the April 1951 date? I may want to use it for another S&W gun I have. Again, I appreciate your expertise. Thank you!
 
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I use my own data base, compiled as I find verified information from various places. To the best of my knowledge there is no readily available SN reference source for most M&Ps, other than the serial number range by year in SCSW.
 
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