Help Identify gun

[T.C.W.]

Good morning,

My dad passed away a left me his firearms.

Most of this guns are from recent decades.

It seems like his S&W was his favorite. Im sure he knew the the time frame of this Gun, but I dont. Id greatly appreciate if someone could help with the history of this pistol. I included some photos

Yoke- MOD 10-4
Ejector-Hand
Serial Number-C950xxx
Barrel Stamp- S&W 38 special
Barrel Length- 3"
Sights-Fixed
Screws‐ Strain Screw + 3 Others

 

[D Brown]

You have a Model 10-4 from 1966-67. Before Model Numbers came on the scene in 1957, this revolver was known as the Military and Police Model.

Assuming those are genuine stag, the stocks may actually be worth more than the revolver.

Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum!

 

[T.C.W.]

Thank you and Thank you for the reply. Im not sure if they are Genuine stag or not.

For some reason my pops was very fond of this pistol. Im not even sure when he bought this pistol. I know he had it for a long time.

 

[ispcapt]

It could be a distorted image from posting it here but it looks like that's a 3" barrel. Barrel and ejector rod looks too long for a 2". 2" Model 10 has a stubby ejector rod. Measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder to the end.
Also notice the lettering on the barrel isn't centered. If it's an accurate image then I wonder if it was a 4" cut to 3". I'd like to see the top of the barrel at the front sight to see if/how they installed the ramp.
Barrel length measurement is the pink line.
Blue line shows the off set printing on the barrel.

 

[T.C.W.]

It could be a distorted image from posting it here but it looks like that's a 3" barrel. Barrel and ejector rod looks too long for a 2". 2" Model 10 has a stubby ejector rod. Measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder to the end.
Also notice the lettering on the barrel isn't centered. If it's an accurate image then I wonder if it was a 4" cut to 3". I'd like to see the top of the barrel at the front sight to see if/how they installed the ramp.
Barrel length measurement is the pink line.
Blue line shows the off set printing on the barrel.

Right on the money.... i dont know why I measured from there... the barrel is exactly 3"... the lettering "38 s&w ctg" special has about 3/4 of an inch of space on both sides... on the other side the lettering "smith & wesson" has about 1/2 of space.

The pictures arnt the best. The glare was making it difficult for the camera to focus

 

[firemanhank]

I have one very close to your serial number. It lettered as three inch and was shipped in 1967.
Hank

 

[ispcapt]

Right on the money.... i dont know why I measured from there... the barrel is exactly 3"... the lettering "38 s&w ctg" special has about 3/4 of an inch of space on both sides... on the other side the lettering "smith & wesson" has about 1/2 of space.

The pictures arnt the best. The glare was making it difficult for the camera to focus

Now that I can see both sides and top of the barrel it hasn't been shortened. Lettering is centered. The front sight isn't a replacement.
You've got a nice piece. The blue wearing wouldn't bother me a bit. That's shows love from being carried.
Thanks for showing pictures. Always nice to see a real gun that was actually carried.

 

[Gun Relics]

Thank you and Thank you for the reply. Im not sure if they are Genuine stag or not.

For some reason my pops was very fond of this pistol. Im not even sure when he bought this pistol. I know he had it for a long time.

They look like they are genuine stag based on the grain. If you take them off and show us the reverse side, that will tell us.

 

[T.C.W.]

They look like they are genuine stag based on the grain. If you take them off and show us the reverse side, that will tell us.

Ima go out on a limb here and say they are real. My dad was pretty picky when It came to his guns and barbecue Pits. Then, again he could have been going for just a look.

 

[Truckman]

Ima go out on a limb here and say they are real.

You and Ima are correct... ...Ben

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! Condolences on the passing of your Dad. It seems you've inherited his nice collection, and if the other firearms are as nice as this Model 10-4, you should really enjoy them. Dad had good taste. Although there were literally millions of .38 M&Ps and Model 10s manufactured over many decades, I think that the most sought after these days are the 2" and 3" barrel versions. Many folks feel that the 3" is just about the perfect carry revolver...easy to conceal yet very accurate. Your 3" revolver also has a pinned barrel, which is preferred by many Forum collectors. Your 10-4 is not rare or particularly valuable, but as D Brown says, those nice vintage stag stocks probably double its value. It's a great family heirloom that your father obviously enjoyed, and it should be fun to shoot.

 

[T.C.W.]

Welcome to the Forum! Condolences on the passing of your Dad. It seems you've inherited his nice collection, and if the other firearms are as nice as this Model 10-4, you should really enjoy them. Dad had good taste. Although there were literally millions of .38 M&Ps and Model 10s manufactured over many decades, I think that the most sought after these days are the 2" and 3" barrel versions. Many folks feel that the 3" is just about the perfect carry revolver...easy to conceal yet very accurate. Your 3" revolver also has a pinned barrel, which is preferred by many Forum collectors. Your 10-4 is not rare or particularly valuable, but as D Brown says, those nice vintage stag stocks probably double its value. It's a great family heirloom that your father obviously enjoyed, and it should be fun to shoot.

Thank you for the kind words. My dad was sick for a long time. He petty much gave me his firearms before he passed "to hold on to them", (sw 38, 870 shotty, bersa 380 CC, Springfield A1 1911, and a rock island Ar). My brother, got some kind of ruger, and a S&W 357 thats from the same time period as the 38.

Through out his years when money allowed, he bought, sold and traded guns.

Iv been in LE for 20 years. He played an intricate part in my LE career. He helped me pick out a rifle to carry once I hit my 2 year mark (dept policy) a Colt LE 6920 and he bought me my very first pistol when I was 20 years old in the academy, which was a Kimber Stainless 2.

All the cadets in the academy were shooting Glocks and "glock like" guns while I was the only one with a 1911, it was perry cool. The only down fall was, I was constantly reloading since I only had 9 rounds and everyone else had 15 or so.. good times

He also had a stainless beretta that he traded for a Kimber Ultra Carry. For what ever reason he did not like the Ultra carry so he gave it to me about 20 years ago.

To this day I still carry the Colt AR, Kimber Stainless 2 as my Primary and the Ultra carry as my secondary or off duty weapon.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

My dad passed away a left me his firearms.

It seems like his S&W was his favorite.

Yoke- MOD 10-4
Ejector-Hand
Serial Number-C950xxx
Barrel Stamp- S&W 38 special
Barrel Length- 3"

My condolences on your loss.

I could see why it’s his favorite. I like the stag grips but I love genuine ivory and put them on my favorite revolver.

 

[T.C.W.]

I appreciate everyones help