Hello everyone. I have a quick question. My father has passed his S&W .38 Special down to me and I am trying to track it's date of birth. The model number is a "10-8". The serial number on the butt is "AYL7525". I have tried to figure it out searching online, but with a serial number search online I have not been able to come up with anything.
38 Special Model 10-8 Date of Manufacture
- Thread starter persingb2
- Start date
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The 10-8 heavy barrel is great revolver, was it a gift, or an inheritance?
My SW book says AWW serial numbers were July 1987, and AYW serial numbers were December 1987. So AYL would fall in between those dates - maybe October or November?
I'm sure someone will be along who can maybe nail it down closer than that.
Keep in mind that they didn't ship in serial number order so the only way to get an exact ship date is to get a letter from S&W.
My SW book says AWW serial numbers were July 1987, and AYW serial numbers were December 1987. So AYL would fall in between those dates - maybe October or November?
I'm sure someone will be along who can maybe nail it down closer than that.
Keep in mind that they didn't ship in serial number order so the only way to get an exact ship date is to get a letter from S&W.
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Thank you for the clarification.
Since it is a gift from your father, may I also suggest taking this revolver and your dad to a local gun range for a day of great memories? Assuming he is in good enough physical condition for that to be an outing that he would enjoy.
Those are the kinds of priceless memories that are so precious. I'm sure he would get a big kick out of seeing you enjoy shooting his gift.
Best wishes this Christmas season.
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I could not agree more. When my dad was in his 70s and 80s, I used to fly down to spend time with him. Often we'd go out in the desert and shoot together like we did when I was a youngster. Sometimes with the 1911s, sometimes with S&W revolvers. Great times and great memories. He passed away a short while before his 90th birthday.
One of my favorite memories is from when I was in Oregon going to grad school, 50 some years ago. I had just bought a Winchester 1894 from the 1920s. A rifle with an octagon barrel, chambered in .30-30. We went out to a canyon where I used to shoot and together ran through a box of cartridges (my handloads). It was a lot of fun just being out there with Dad. It was also the last time that rifle was fired. Now it just sits in my safe retaining memories.
persingb2 - if it is possible, go do it!
bananaman
Member
Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! I had a 10-8 heavy barrel that was an Aussie Police gun. Bought it surplus. Mine would not win any beauty contests, but shot well. So much to learn on this forum! Bob
Thank you all for your replies. Yes my father and I will be out shooting soon once again (he has already mentioned it, lol.) We just celebrated his 74th Birthday a few days ago. He taught me to shoot with an old single shot-bolt action .22 rifle many moons ago before I joined the service. I have only recently moved back home to be closer (Been living in Japan for the past 12.5 years.) But like many of you have mentioned, there are many memories that come with these guns that have been passed down.
