S&W .38 Model 10-5 serial number help

theloco71 · Apr 22, 2011

hey folks, I just picked up this nice revolver down in Mexico... it is a Model 10-5 2" barrel 6 shot .38 Special.

I was wondering if someone could help me... I want to find out its age and also if the baby can fire +P ammo.

Here is the tricky part... it doesn't have a Serial Number between the grips, but it says MOD 10-5 , and then "34X94" by the barrel support, as well as a G13 and again 34X94 on the frame behind one of the grips.

It has 2 visible screws on the right side of the frame as well as one screw under the right grip. It also has a screw on the frontal part between the grips, but it does not have any screws in front of the trigger guard.

i'm sure it's a K frame... it's bulky. Again, I'd love to be able to determine it's age and whether is safe or not for +P's.

Thanks folks!!!

murphydog · Apr 22, 2011

Welcome to the Forum. The model 10-5 was made between 1962 and '77. If you have the letter and number from the bottom of the grip frame we can narrow down the shipping year. If it is mechanically sound it is fine for +P ammo.

diamonback68 · Apr 22, 2011

theloco71 said:
Here is the tricky part... it doesn't have a Serial Number between the grips,

Do you mean by "between the grips" the butt of the gun? Is there a serial number there? You say it's a 10-5 which I assume you got off the yoke of the gun. Is there a serial number there? If there is no serial number in those two places, you have an illegal gun and could be facing big trouble. Please enlighten us more.

theloco71 · Apr 23, 2011

Well, here's what's on the yoke: Mod 10-5 (which I assume is the model), and then it says 34X94, and lastly a G13 right below it.
On the bottom of the butt (between the wooden grips) there's nothing... I know that the serial number should've been there, but it is not... however, if you remove the wooden grips, you find the same 34x94 machined number on the frame butt... but again, in order to see this number you need to remove the right wooden grip. It's weird.

I can tell it is an original S&W... I think someone removed the serial number (or didn't have it on the typical places maybe?). I'm not sure if a 34X94 could be the actual serial number.

Share your comments...

murphydog · Apr 23, 2011

This is a problem, as the official SN should be on the bottom of the grip frame. The 34x94 is a factory code, not the SN. Does it have a stamped number on the rear cylinder face or the barrel flat, above the ejector rod?

Ga Johnny · Apr 23, 2011

picked up this nice revolver down in Mexico...

On the bottom of the butt (between the wooden grips) there's nothing...

I think you may have more trouble than you bargined for with this one,

murphydog · Apr 23, 2011

Ga Johnny said:
picked up this nice revolver down in Mexico...

On the bottom of the butt (between the wooden grips) there's nothing...

I think you may have more trouble than you bargained for with this one,

Unfortunately, yes...I asked in the previous post to see if there is any evidence the SN can be found elsewhere on the gun. If so, the BATF may allow it to be restamped and everything stays legal. If not, the best recourse is to turn in the frame, as it is not legal to have it without an SN.

Art Doc · Apr 23, 2011

Let me get this straight, you "picked up" a gun in Mexico that has no serial on it. Sounds like stolen property to me.

Unless I am missing something here it seems that several federal laws have been violated. Can one buy a gun in Mexico? Can one then bring it back to the U.S.? If the serial has been removed (the metal usually shows signs of grinding and polishing) then gun is considered contraband.

Smee78 · Apr 23, 2011

I did not know that we could transport gun back and forth between Mex and US.

diamonback68 · Apr 23, 2011

loco, as I previously stated, I think you have a highly illegal gun and you could be in big trouble if caught with it. If it were me, I'd turn it in to the BATFE. I would never buy a gun from Mexico unless I was sure it was legal, in fact, I didn't know you you could buy a gun in Mexico and bring it into the States. Maybe you shouldn't say, but how did you get this gun across the border?
BTW, 34X94 is NOT a serial number!

theloco71 · Apr 23, 2011

Well, let's go by stages here...
a) I never said that the gun was in US... the guns is still in Mexico; I'm down here for vacation, I happen to have family here, and an old neighbor have it to me as a payment... I haven't looked into taking it to US... that's why part of my research here. I'm heading back home to US on the 29th of April.
b) Yes, you can buy guns in Mexico legally, as long as you are legally in Mexico (as a citizen, in my case I have both citizenships). The Mexican Constitution allows you to own certain guns but you either need to buy them from the Defense Secretariat Store or from a private owner. The law allows you to own any revolver up to .38SPL (excluding .38 Commando and .357Magnum). The law also allows you to own a semi-automatic pistol up to .380ACP (excluding 9mm Parabellum, .38 Super and .357 SIG). The handgun can only be registered for home defense, cannot be carried and cannot be on an address different than the one it was registered at.
Citizens cannot own any long guns unless you are a farmer, a rancher or belong to a registered Hunting club. Shotguns cannot exceed 12ga, cannot be shorter than 25", rifles cannot be over 30-30, and nothing can be automatic.
To buy or register a gun, you need to present the weapon in person to the Defense Secretariat, with $5.00USD fee, your ID and proof of Residence. That's it. Oh! You cannot have Hollow points at all... big trouble otherwise!!!
There's a lot of misinformation regarding weapons and law in Mexico.

Going back to my baby... I lloked on the yoke, there's nothing... just the 34X94 stamping, as well as the model and a "G13".

Have you guys looked at the pictures? What do you think? Can I use +P's? And, can I bring it safely to USA so I can register it there? Is there any other place I can find the Serial Number on the weapon folks?

Thanks!

diamonback68 · Apr 23, 2011

theloco71 said:
And, can I bring it safely to USA so I can register it there? Is there any other place I can find the Serial Number on the weapon folks?

Thanks!

Now it makes a little more sense.
NO you CAN NOT bring that gun into the U.S. No FFL dealer would ever allow you to transfer that gun here without a serial number and you definately don't have one. Plus you list Plainfied Illinois on your heading. Illinois is probably the toughest state in the U.S. to buy, own or transfer a gun, provided you could even get it through U.S. Customs without a serial number which is highly doubtful. Even with a serial number the paperwork would be enormous.
Leave it in Mexico. Just looking at the condition of the gun I would not recommend using +Ps in it.

theloco71 · Apr 23, 2011

My bad, I just woke up... a lot of mispellings on my last reply... ouch!!! I'm not fully awake yet... Anyways, I really want to find the damn Serial Number and to see if I can buy my +P's!!!

theloco71 · Apr 23, 2011

By the way, what's the value of a gun like this? I do have my weapons in US, but have no revolvers.

diamonback68 · Apr 23, 2011

loco as I just said, NO +Ps because of the condition it appears to be in, lot of wear, no bluing etc. Again because of condition, in this country, it would be a $150 to $200 "shooter" grade.

theloco71 · Apr 23, 2011

Thanks Diamonback68!!! Actually, it looks much better than the way it looks by the pictures...
The only thing that sucks is that we cannot pinpoint it's age... I really wanted to know it.
The good thing about this, is that even without serial numbers it can be registered in Mexico... but I won't be able to take it with me.
However, it makes me wonder about why the serial number was erased...
So, even if I open it... there's no serial number in the inside huh?

Sonny Crocket · Apr 23, 2011

The model 10-5 was made from 1962-1977, so your 10-5 would be made sometime between those years. Is the finish gone, or is that a well worn nickel? Are there any gunsmiths around you down there that can check it out to make sure its mechanically sound? If so, and its ok, I don't see why you couldn't shoot any +P in it. 10-5s were ok'd from the factory for +P use.

Thanks for the insight to Mexican gun laws. How many pistols are you allowed to own? I thought I read somewhere once that you were only allowed 1 .380 and 1 .38. Any truth to that?

theloco71 · Apr 23, 2011

well, for home defense only 1 gun. If you are registered as a collector or have a registered museum or have guns with certified historical value, you can have as many as you want. Gun laws are weird in Mexico.

usa157 · Jul 1, 2012

Model 10

Hi Guys .I have a s&w mod10 With ser. V31971 Can anyone Help with what year it was made ? any help would be greatly apprecated

scha · Jul 1, 2012

A "V" serial number is from a Victory revolver produced during WWII. With that number, I am going to guess it was produced in mid 1942 or so. These were produced in 38 S&W for the British and in 38 Special for the US. Others on this forum will have a more exact answer.

Hope this helps.

Steve

S&W .38 Model 10-5 serial number help

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