Identify S&W with no model number

[Tom Garrett]

Additionally, if you're looking for period correct grips, contact Triple K out of San Diego. They've got a web presence. It's a family business, their name is Krasne. KKK products is prolly gonna be a different thing. I'd bet they've got period grips for that gun. Lotsa great Gunleather too. Grips and oddball magazines are their thing.

 

[gunbarrel]

Since dates are an issue on this thread, I could be wrong, but my Father in Law flew B-25 Liberators in WWII and I think I remember him telling me that the U.S. Army Air Corps became U.S. Army Air Forces in 1941 or 1942?

 

[gunbarrel]

I found this in my reference stuff. It probably needs to be verified by one of our experts...

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Since dates are an issue on this thread, I could be wrong, but my Father in Law flew B-25 Liberators in WWII and I think I remember him telling me that the U.S. Army Air Corps became U.S. Army Air Forces in 1941 or 1942?

From Wikipedia;
The Air Corps became the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on 20 June 1941.

I do a lot of Veteran events and our memories are not 100% correct.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Out of curiosity now that I have the complete biography of this weapon, whats the value?

I'm not sure how many firearms you have in the Gun Safe.

It is a perfect Home Protection revolver but at 80 years old I have a newer revolvers for carry and Home Protection. But I take the old ones out for a day on the shooting range. It is a keeper in my book.

 

[JP@AK]

I found this in my reference stuff. It probably needs to be verified by one of our experts...View attachment 783288

Close but not entirely accurate. Several statements are simply incorrect. I suggest you look at page 206 in the new Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 5th Edition. The information on the SV and S prefix guns has been updated.

A couple specific points:
1. "postwar" units did NOT begin in December 1944. The war was, of course, still raging at that time. The significance of that date is the beginning of the units with the new sliding hammer block safety and, hence, the SV prefix. SV prefix Victory Models started shipping in January 1945. Postwar units started shipped in February 1946.
2. The four-line address didn't come along until 1948.

 

[gunbarrel]

Thank you for the correction; I do have the new edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. However, with so many previous posts and no real answers, I assumed that someone would have tried to look it up on there, and it wasn't. I shouldn't assume...mybad.

 

[Tom Garrett]

OP, I think you need to mentally make a distinction between being a cool, collectible gun and being valuable. A gun can be really cool, very collectible, and still be worth $400. It's just a used revolver to the next guy. I think the gun you've got might sell around here for 4-6, but it'll be different wherever you are. Model 10s and Pre-Model 10s are never going to be 'rare'. They made 6 million of them for WW II alone, not to mention similar models were in production since 1899, and production continues to this day. New ones are $1000, but it's still a Model 10. S&W has literally been making that gun for 125 years. It's a lotta things, but rare ain't one of 'em. It IS a very cool old battle axe revolver, however.

 

[Muley Gil]

"They made 6 million of them for WW II alone..."

Not sure where you you're getting this number, but the .38 M&P series didn't hit one million until April 1942. The Victory models, both .38 S&W and .38 special together, totaled about 800,000.

 

[Tom Garrett]

I stand corrected. My point being they're no particularly rare.

 

[DWalt]

While the S&W K-frame revolvers made from 1899 onward are very similar in outward appearance, there has been a succession of cosmetic and mechanical changes incorporated into production throughout all of the years since. The use of the "Model 10" nomenclature did not begin until 1957-58. And there are a few K-frame variations that can legitimately be considered as being rare. Or at least rarely encountered today.

 

[RM Vivas]

It's an April 1946 gun I think.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[usmcsgt]

I ran across what looked like a nickel plated model 13, 3 inch bbl in a lgs on the mainland- no model number and no caliber stamped on the bbl. Ran the serial number and it was an old model 10 range. After discussing with the gun shop owner he said it was from a gunsmiths estate- more than likely a parts gun. First one I had ever run a cross.