Looking to ID an older modal 10 (?)

[Retbadge0328]

I hope I am doing this right. Forgive any errors as it's my first post. About 10 years ago I bought what appears to me to be an older Modal 10 to replace the first issued sidearm I wore as a police officer. However, this revolver is a bit different in it has a extra screw in front of the trigger guard. It also doesn't have a "10-?" in the yoke. It is stamped "J" with a different number than the S/N on the butt. Under the letter "J" is the number 58999 and below that the number "3".
The S/N on the butt is C 3728XX. If someone can help date it and explain the other numbers I'd be greatfull. It has the thin style 4" bbl and it's pinned in place. I'd judge the bluing as 95% or better. The man I bought it off of said he owned it and never shot it. It appeared to have been lightly used and I have fired all of 6 rounds through it to make sure it worked. Lastly, is it collectable or just a shooter. Would .38+P police duty style loads be safe to use in it for home defense for my wife to use?

 

[Alk8944]

Your gun is a .38 Military & Police, or M&P, manufactured in 1955 +/- a year. It is not a Model 10, although it is identical to what became the Model 10 in 1957. The Model 10 is a M&P, always, but not the other way around.

Generally these qualify as collectors only if in 98% or better finish, all matching numbers, and with the original box. Otherwise they are shooters. This is the most common S&W model ever made, somewhere in the 6-7 million range. It is perfectly safe to use with +P ammunition, although the higher pressure will cause somewhat accelerated wear over thousands of rounds. Many loads published in reloading manuals clear back into the 1930s and into the 1970s developed considerably higher pressure than modern +P loads do and millions of these loads were fired in this model over the years with no negative consequences

 

[Retbadge0328]

Thank you for the info. I have learned more in two minutes than I could find on the net in 10 years.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! In addition to the front trigger guard screw, your .38 M & P probably has an upper side plate screw. So, if you count the four on the side plate (visible with the stocks off) and the one in the trigger guard called the cylinder stop screw, it is referred to as a "5-screw" frame. The numbered models 10 and 10-1 lost the upper side plate screw (4-screw frame), and with the 10-2 the one in the trigger guard (3-screw).

Be sure to stop by often, there's a lot of good information here.

 

[shouldazagged]

Welcome to the forum from Louisville. Hope you'll stick around now that you got your information--this is a great place to learn and laugh.

 

[Retbadge0328]

Yes I hope to stick around. I have been reading some of the other posts and there seems to be a tremendous amount of information out here. I have some other questions so I hope to find out more info. later.

 

[Retbadge0328]

Murphydog, this revolver has 3 screws in the sideplate and one in front of the trigger. So this M&P must have been made just before it got the Modal 10 designation. I doubt S&W would have co-produced the M&P and the 10 at the same time with different frames and side plates.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Thank you for the info. I have learned more in two minutes than I could find on the net in 10 years.

That's what makes this such a great forum! Glad you've become a part of it.
Can you post a picture or two?

Todd

 

[JP@AK]

Murphydog, this revolver has 3 screws in the sideplate and one in front of the trigger. So this M&P must have been made just before it got the Modal 10 designation. I doubt S&W would have co-produced the M&P and the 10 at the same time with different frames and side plates.

Murphydog's information is correct, just not complete. The upper sideplate screw disappeared shortly before model marking started. So there were non-model-marked guns without all five screws. Yours sounds like it fits into that gap.
Jack

 

[Retbadge0328]

Will Try

That's what makes this such a great forum! Glad you've become a part of it.
Can you post a picture or two?

Todd

Todd, I will see what I can do....call me the "basic computer skills guy"

George

 

[S.B.]

I found this in a local pawn shop a couple of years back for under $200:

Liked to broke my arm getting my wallet out.
Steve

 

[snubbyfan]

Welcome from the panhandle of West Virginia.

 

[Riverbear]

Of all my guns, I have a warm fuzzy feeling to my model 10 because it looks good and shoots great, especially +p.

 

[sw44spl]

hey S.B. I found a 1946 pre model 10 in a pawn shop for $200 and I couldnt get my wallet out fast enough.