Hello, I would like to show pics of my three Smiths, and if anyone could tell me about them I would appreciate it.
Model 10-5, 38, 6 inch barrel, serial number D146XXX. I just picked it up for $200 and have never owned a Model 10, so I would like to know more about it. It appears that at one time the S&W symbol and lettering were gold, but most of that is gone.
Model 14-4, 38, 6 inch barrel, serial number 76K7XXX. I have had it about 10 years and it was my carry gun in the woods. The notch in the soft grip is for a 3 point (Western count) Whitetail. However, after a bear wandered into camp I decided to change to a Casull.
Model 17-4, 22, 6 inch barrel, serial number 33K6XXX. I’ve had it for about a dozen years and after I got it I got rid of my automatics and shopped for my K-38 (model 14, above). We practiced at an old gravel pit; 85 yards away on the far wall there was a stump about 20 feet up with a bowling pin hanging from it’s root. I could hit the pin over and over with this; I believe another version of this gun is called the Targetmaster, and for good reason.
Anyway, anything you could tell me about them would be great! And if I posted in the wrong spot at first, I apologize...
Thank you in advance,
Steve

Attached Images

	3 Together 2.jpg (140.3 KB, 137 views)
	10_5 Right.jpg (159.2 KB, 94 views)
	14_4 Left.jpg (151.3 KB, 88 views)
	17_4 Right.jpg (136.8 KB, 82 views)
	3 Together.jpg (130.0 KB, 82 views)

That is a nice trio!
All I can tell you are the dates from the SCSW.
The 10-5 is from 1969-1970.
17-4 is 1978-1979.
14-4 is a 1980 gun.

The gold trim would have been someones add on after purchase, I believe. Now you need an N Frame to go with these!

Ed

Thank you very much!

Ok, so I have to ask: The gold in the lettering is a bit unusual, but I have seen Smiths like that before. The left grip appears to have a mother of pearl set in it where I would expect to find a round embossed S&W. The right side pearl ir S&W is missing. I wondered if it had come from a special issue, like for the NRA or a prize or something. What do you think?

Congratulations of your 3 point. What range did you get him from?

Gold letter filling kits were very common in the 1970s and on into the 1980s. I may still have one that I never did open. The main thing in the kit is a bottle of gold colored powder suspended in a liquid that evaporates. It’s still common to see guns with the gold in their roll stamps. IIRC the gold wore away after many cleanings of the guns I bought used with the gold in their lettering. I did not weep over losing the gold.

Replacing the stock medallions with mother of pear must have been another at home customizing touch. Incidentally, unlike other manufacturers S&W has always used the word “stocks” rather than “grips”. I prefer their wording when discussing their fine old revolvers.

I see you had to adjust your .22’s sig_ht way up. A taller rear blade would get it back down where it’s less vulnerable and has elevation available for longer range. S&W sells replacement rear blade kits of various heights for under $15. Instructions for changing blades are in 500 Magnum Nut’s FAQ in the S&W-smithing forum: FAQ's. While their nice to have you don’t need to buy the cone punch staking tool or windage nut spanner. You can file a small flat head into a spanner and stake the replacement nut with a small flat head or improvise a punch.

Nice little family there.

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1601 (ret)

@K22, Thanks! What a good eye! Do you have a specific kit/part number you could recommend?

I shot the three point (Western count) east of Tonasket at somewhere around 50 feet. A very lucky first shot got him in the esophagus and dropped him like a rock,

Steve

Thank you for your replies! Next question:

I am used to my K-14 and shoot any factory load .38 through it, including +P. I do not shoot hand loads.

What is safe to shoot in the K10? Again, 1970 era, tapered barrel, (is that the correct term?), model 10-5. Again, I only buy off the shelf, had too many bad experiences.

Finally, got your note, couldn't reply because your box is full. I practice at my Camano property. You?

Thanks!

Steve,
You'll have to measure the existing blade height and go from there. Look here and at the next page at the S&W website:
Sight Accessories - Smith & Wesson

george is right. Slide feeler gauge blades in under the sig_ht then reduce the measurement some so you’ll still have a little downward adjustment for different .22 cartridges. Turn the rear blade all the way off to either side and measure the over hanging portion with calipers. That will give you a height measurement as used by S&W. Be careful to come up against the stop gently so you don’t break the windage bolt prematurely. After you measure just play with a little math and the available blade kit heights.

Edit to add: S&W literature approves the use of +P .38 special in all steel K frames that are new enough to be stamped with model numbers.