Just bought (what I was told is) a S&W Model 10-6

[tylerlayne]

I just bought a S&W Model 10-6 off gunbroker. The seller told me the serial number is 485190. After doing a little research all the ones I saw the serial number started with a letter followed by numbers. Is it possible for a model 10-6 to have a serial nomber that is all numbers?

 

[JP@AK]

No. The prefix should be either a C or a D. If it is a C, then it would be a very early 10-6.

 

[ColbyBruce]

From the SCSW edition 3, hope it helps you. There is an assembly code stamped near the yoke in many revolvers, that may be the number you were given.

 

[tylerlayne]

I know it has diamond grips. I read somewhere that the early models had those. It has not arrived yet so I can not check any numbers myself. I bought it off gunbroker and its in transit to my FFL holder. The shop I bought it from told my that was the serial number.

 

[JP@AK]

I know it has diamond grips. I read somewhere that the early models had those.

Yes. If those stocks are original, it will have the C prefix.

 

[mchom]

Probably the C is off set from the numerical portion of serial number and the store just didn't recognize this

I know it has diamond grips. I read somewhere that the early models had those. It has not arrived yet so I can not check any numbers myself. I bought it off gunbroker and its in transit to my FFL holder. The shop I bought it from told my that was the serial number.

 

[robvious]

my 10-6 has one of the best triggers of any S&W I have shot... it is how I came here to the forum... trying to decifer the extra numbers on the frame & the "gold" accents... still a mystery.. enjoy your new addition...

 

[tylerlayne]

Actually I think the pistol is a 10-5. The seller had it listed as a 10-6. It has a tapered barrel and half moon front sight. I dont think any 10-6 came with those. The seller sent me pictures of the serial number but I can not make out the letter. I dont think its a c or a d. Was trying to upload the pictures as attachments but will not post them.

 

[JP@AK]

Actually I think the pistol is a 10-5. The seller had it listed as a 10-6. It has a tapered barrel and half-moon front sight. I don't think any 10-6 came with those. The seller sent me pictures of the serial number but I cannot make out the letter. I don't think it's a c or a d. Was trying to upload the pictures as attachments but will not post them.

With a tapered barrel and a half-moon front sight, it may not be a Model 10 at all. Does it have a screw at the top of the side plate (right hand side of the gun)?

 

[tylerlayne]

Yes, It has a screw on the top right side between the hammer and the top of the drum.

 

[tylerlayne]

It looks like the first letter in the serial number might be a B. If so the serial number is B485190.

 

[ColbyBruce]

The top gun is a 10-5, bottom gun is a 10-6.

 

[JP@AK]

Yes, It has a screw on the top right side between the hammer and the top of the drum.

I'm beginning to believe there is no letter in the serial number and the gun is much older that we have been led to believe. 485190 would be a correct serial number for a .38 M&P from about 1924 or maybe 1925. The only letter that makes any sense at all would be a V for a revolver from the WWII period. The number is much too low for the prefix to be an S.

A picture or two would be VERY helpful.

To be clear, there was NEVER a serial sequence that used a B prefix.

The "drum" is called the cylinder.

 

[tylerlayne]

I think you are right. I have been doing some research on older .38 M&P's. The B indicates that the firearm left the factory blued. It is smaller than the numbers and a little bit away from them also. It has the small S&W logo on the left side. It has wood checkerd grips that are really in great condition. It has .38 S&W SPECIAL CTG stamped on the right side of the barrel. I have tried posting pictures but just can't get them to post.

 

[tylerlayne]

Here are some pictures of the pistol. It was listed as a model 10-6. But as you can see its way older.

ATTACH]721180[/ATTACH]

 

[tylerlayne]

Serial Number

 

[JP@AK]

Yep! It is a .38 M&P from the early 1920s.

The stocks are much later - probably post-1967. They do NOT have the diamond.

 

[tylerlayne]

I don't think its ever had a refinish.

 

[A10]

I don't think its ever had a refinish.

I think that is a fair assumption...let us know when you get it, we would like to see more pictures.

 

[gunbarrel]

It should say it here if it is a 10-6.

 

[Truckman]

The "B" is not part of the S/N, it only indicates the gun left the factory with a blued finish......Ben

 

[38magnum]

I don't think its ever had a refinish.

i see guns on gun broker and guns international with that same special factory finish,,,

would you call that mint like THOSE sellers do? what would you price it at

 

[boykinlp]

I think you are right. I have been doing some research on older .38 M&P's. The B indicates that the firearm left the factory blued. It is smaller than the numbers and a little bit away from them also. It has the small S&W logo on the left side. It has wood checkerd grips that are really in great condition. It has .38 S&W SPECIAL CTG stamped on the right side of the barrel. I have tried posting pictures but just can't get them to post.

The grips are "rough", but match the rest of the gun well.
Larry

 

[BC38]

My guess would be that it probably has fitters mark numbers 1 0 6 in the yoke cut out, and someone misinterpreted that as 10-6.

 

[tylerlayne]

I finally got my pistol today. Can not wait to take it to the range. It seems to function really well. The cylinder has no play and the timing seems perfect! All 3 serial numbers match also.

 

[BC38]

I finally got my pistol today. Can not wait to take it to the range. It seems to function really well. The cylinder has no play and the timing seems perfect! All 3 serial numbers match also.

That one is definitely WAY earlier than a 10-6.
It is a Military and Police (M&P) produced before S&W assigned model numbers in 1957. The "mushroom" ejector rod knob on your revolver was discontinued around WWII - if I recall correctly. I'm sure one of our forum experts will chime in with a more accurate date for that change.
The grips/stocks on your gun are from a much newer gun. They don't have the diamond around the grip screw which indicates they were originally on a gun produced after 1968 when the "diamond" around the grip screw was eliminated. Since they have rounded bottom edges, they're what are known as "PC magnas". PC Magnas are "Plain Clothes" service stocks, which were most commonly installed on service revolvers like a snub-nosed Model 15 - a favorite with police detectives back in the day.
FWIW, a 10-6 would have the heavy barrel, not the tapered barrel like your revolver.
All that being said, it is still, a nice looking old wheel gun with some honest finish wear and freckling. Let us know how the old girl dances once you get a chance to take her to the range.

 

[oldrookey617]

Looks like a nice range gun, JP in a earlier post said your M10 is around a 1924. you might remove those grips, there may be a serial # on the inside of the right grip from around a 1967-68 gun, I have a M10-5, think its a late 1966 gun, not sure, 4" tapered barrel, was my dads, it has that type of grips, C 870900, its a smooth great shooter, have fun..

 

[tylerlayne]

Someone here dated the pistol as a early 1920's model. There is no letter in front of the serial number.

 

[Matt_X]

So S&W sold it as a Military and Police in 38 Spl. with 4" barrel.
Collectors will also refer to it as a Hand Ejector Model of 1905 4th change.

It looks great, and hope you enjoy it on the range.
Try a 6 o'clock hold if using 158 gr on a B-8 or similar (5-6" bullseye).

 

[4K2022]

I just bought a S&W Model 10-6 off gunbroker. The seller told me the serial number is 485190. After doing a little research all the ones I saw the serial number started with a letter followed by numbers. Is it possible for a model 10-6 to have a serial nomber that is all numbers?

Thanks for Posting.
This thread touched on so many aspects and issues of buying online. Right down to the last/previous post!
I've seen many model 10s that listed the assembly number as the serial number. What's important to Me is that the correct serial number is recorded on the final paperwork that (I) receive. I just happened to have come across a close friend of your 38 Special

The mushroom, says pre 1928 on Our 5" inch,, 38s