The LGS Says It's A Model 10...

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mainegrw

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I started this thread in the wrong subforum, so trying to delete original and move it here, as I think it would be more relevant, sorry for the repost. Anyway...

I've got another sort of mystery in my sights tonight. I had to put it on layaway since I missed the 7PM authorization hotline cutoff time, but will be back to grab it Sunday morning I think, maybe late tomorrow afternoon, pictures to come asap. Anyway, the LGS has it marked as a Model 10, but I'm pretty sure it's much older.

Here's what I see:

- K Frame, fixed sights
- 4" Barrel with rounded front sight
- Blued (about 75% or more left)
- No "Made in USA" or 4 line marking on the right side of frame
- Patent info on right side of barrel, patent years i think said 09
- 38 S&W Special Calber on the Left side of barrel
- EDIT: Mushroom Shaped Ejector Rod Knob
- smooth grip backstrap and frontstrap
- Serial No. 2252xx
- non-matching recent production magna grips with Tyler T-Grip

So, what i see here is not a model 10 at all, but a 38 Hand Ejector, or M&P, possibly manufactured in or around 1915, or that's what the SCSW serial number appendix suggests. If it were a Victory, mid-war or postwar M&P, it would have a V or S prefix serial number yes?

Thoughts? I'm trying to pin down exactly what it might be, I'm buying it regardless, she feels good, and should shoot pretty well no matter what.

Thanks.

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mikepriwer said:
The quick answer is that if it has a round butt, its a Model of 1902. If it has a square butt, its a model of 1905. Either way, its a 40-year predecessor to the Model 10.



Mike Priwer
Click to expand...
I looked deeper into the SCSW, and I think it's a Model of 1905, 3rd Change based on the descriptions given, and the serial number ranges listed. I cant recall if it's a round butt, it may be actually, but apparently the 1905, 3rd change came in both round and square butt configurations, and the notes also say that many examples have been found with no other frame markings other than the Trademark, so that fits my gun I believe. The 1902 serial ranges don't quite line up with my gun, so I think that's out of the question.

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What about the flat rebound spring in the grip frame vs a rebound slide under the side plate?
 
Yes but ... If a round butt S&W revolver is referred to as a model 1902 .....

Never mind - I should know better.
 
Your SN would date it as probably being from 1914. As a round butt version, it would be a Model of 1902, if a square butt, a Model of 1905. Model 10s did not exist until the late 1950s. I also don't understand your LERK terminology. At that time it would definitely would have shipped with the mushroom-shaped extractor rod knob, not the barrel shaped knob which is sometimes confusingly called a LERK (Large Extractor Rod Knob) by a few people.
 
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DWalt said:
Your SN would date it as probably from 1914. As a round butt version, it would be a Model of 1902. I also don't understand your LERK terminology. At that time it would definitely would have shipped with the mushroom-shaped extractor rod knob, not the barrel shaped knob which is sometimes confusingly called a LERK (Large Extractor Rod Knob) by a few people.
Click to expand...
Fair enough sorry, you're correct, I dodnt realize there was more than one the two distinct styles of knob, but the mushroom knob sounds correct.

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Misidentified Smiths happen all the time, two gunshows ago I bought a Kitgun marked M-41. I knew it and wasn't going to tell the gunshow vendor it was marked wrong. It was a pretty dirty revolver and it was marked 34-1 but crud covered up the 3. I got a pretty nice nickel Kitgun for $400. I quit trying to educate sellers years a go. I was in Cabellas and they had a Victory model marked 38 Special, It was a 5 inch and clearly marked on the barrel 38 S&W. I told the clerk and he said he would take care of it. 3 weeks later it was still labeled 38 Special. So, I quit
SWCA 892
 
Sounds like a good buy. Mine is slightly newer but not by much.

And no, it's not a 1902, it's an M&P.

bnSko3q.jpg
 
Update: Plans changed and I picked it up this morning, pictures to be added soon. It is a round butt, 5 screw, with a serial number dating to 1914. Thus, per DWalt, this would make this gun a 38 M&P Round Butt, yes?

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People who are not fans of British comedy might not get this.

But the whole argument about the naming of the 1902 and 1905 has begun to remind me a lot of the Monty Python skit about the Bruces.
 
Lots of people just call any K frame 38 a Model 10,,or an M&P,,regardless of when it was made.

Not every one is a collector.

Lucky find is the few who have snagged a HD 38/44 marked as a Mod 10.
It's not all bad when they ID them wrong.
 
Photos... I gave it a quick clean and took off the the Tyler T-Grip that was mounted on it, turns out to be for a J-Frame and not a K. I tried out a a K-Frame T-Grip I have quicking around, and ultimately decided to leave it off.
63a83cfdd08ce1a99234fb57a0d96d17.jpg
80b6f69a3bb9f25e19ea3ac66a02533c.jpg
3483a367d7760ea75c87d4dde9c20c96.jpg
64663fe004c7ef3793f5c7a333a2d6f1.jpg


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