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.

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1970 sounds right for that serial number.

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

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

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.

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?

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

I’ve got D314***

Square butt 4”. Great shooter

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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:

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

It sounds like ill just have to wait and see.

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

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

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Some M64s came with round butts.

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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.

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!

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.

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

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

offrdmania, you will love that 10-5 not only for where it comes from but because its truly an excellent revolver in evry aspect.Good luck and remember the man that you got it from not only when you shoot it but throughout your life.

This is mine..

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What is everyones thought on getting archive papers for the gun? Im not sure if my grandfather bought it brand new or if it was second hand when the gun was very young. It would be neat to see that it was shipped to where he bought it in the 70s. I never plan to sell the gun so...

The SCSW shows that 4" RBs were available.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Wow, that’s cool! I would love to have one of those….

I’ve thought about having mine converted to a RB…

Congratulations, that gun will be special to you. My 10-5, 4" pencil barrel Ser.# is D689XXX, sq butt. The only problem I've found is it keeps thinking it's a target model.

Enjoy,
Al

Thank you, luckily, I own a 14-3 PPC gun, with it I get my target model fix.

Here's my S&W 10-5. It is just like the one I last carried in RVN.

Pray it is a square butt. Ha Ha. Ok. you are making me feel really old since 1970 is the year I started buying guns.

I wonder what it looks like after all these years with no maintenance. Can't someone in the family check it out? Looking forward to it.

I pick it up on Monday so ill post detailed photos

Very cool!

The crazy thing is that my aunt took all of my grandfathers long guns when he died and about 10 years ago, gave me his Remington M1917 which is all matching and still retains its original military configuration 1918 dated barrel, original stock and parts. These things were so often cut up, butchered and built into hunting rifles.
Why at the time, did no one tell me about the revolver is beyond me.

I've converted a number of SB revolvers to RB. The BIG issue is the placement of the serial number. You don't want to ever alter it in any way!

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WAR EAGLE!

OP let’s hope it hasn’t been sitting with the rubber grips on it - make sure you check under them for corrosion or rust as they tended to hold moisture. I’m sure we all would like an update when you take possession.

We will find out come Monday

My model 10-5 is a favorite, beautiful revolvers, classic S&W lines!

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Is that thing blued? If it is, that is some deep bluing

Nope it's nickel

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Hard to tell in the pic

That was common in the 1970s. Actually guys being guys, you have to change something to make it better. So very seldom will you find a revolver with its original grips especially if the previous owner was a cop.

The exception is the person who bought a revolver for Home Defense and shot a few rounds and put it in the dresser drawer.

Great point. It will need a good cleaning and lubrication. Of course under the Packmayr grips, hopefully no moisture because it will leave it very rusty.

NICE! I traded in my mod 10 snub to get a mod 686 and missed it so much I got a mod 10-5 4". You just GOTTA have a model 10.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

It has finally made it home. I took the Pachmayr grip off and surprisingly, everything is in really good condition. It is a square butt frame and the recent Herrett stocks that I picked up with the brass base add some beautiful contrast to this dark blue.

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More pics. Now I just need to go out and shoot it.

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Apparently it was stored well for 30 years. Congratulations.

Looks like it was really babied! Enjoy your inheritance!

It was wrapped in an old T-shirt and stored in an old leather gun rug.

I’ve got a 64-8, 3” and a round bum.

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Boy y'all have some 10-5s that make mine look like it came from a sunken ship...well maybe not THAT bad Congrats on a neat inheritance...Nice Stocks too

I have a few that look that way as well. They are the best kind because then you dont feel bad if you give it a new scratch.