Model 10

[standerson]

Our son Just picked up a Model 10 with a 5" barrel. Best guess it was made between '64-68.

Excellent condition.

Haven't gotten it to the range yet.

 

[fyimo]

If you give us the serial number with a couple of (XX's) in place of the last two digits we can tell you the year it was made. Barrel measurement is from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel and a 5 inch is rarer then either the 4 and 6 inch.

 

[standerson]

Thanks.

8554XX. It's a 5" Our son enjoys older weapons far more than "the new fangled" ones.

 

[fyimo]

There should be a K in front of the numbers if it's model marked and that would place it built in 1968 near the end of the year.

 

[standerson]

Thanks for the info!

We want to get to the range but I was in a car accident a couple of weeks ago and on Percocet following surgery.

 

[JP@AK]

There should be a K in front of the numbers if it's model marked and that would place it built in 1968 near the end of the year.

If it's a Model 10, it won't have a K - those were reserved for K frame guns with target sights. More likely the prefix will be a C or a D. If it is old enough, there could be an S prefix. Lots of the early postwar M&P revolvers had 5" barrels. But then it would not be marked as a Model 10. That didn't start until September, 1957. At that point they had a C prefix in the serial number.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

I should add that with no prefix at all, it is a prewar revolver. In that case, it will also not be a Model 10, but a .38 Military & Police - a distant predecessor to the Model 10.
Jack

 

[standerson]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

 

[standerson]

Just to clear things up a bit, I'll re-do the serial with the Prefix

S 855 4XX

 

[scha]

This one is likely 1946-1947.

Hope this helps

Steve

 

[JP@AK]

Based on my database of S and SV revolvers, I think this was probably shipped in the first half of 1947.
Jack

 

[standerson]

Wow! We certainly appreciate the research.

Thanks

 

[JP@AK]

I'm sure we were all glad to help you out.
Have you noticed my PM? Please respond when you have a chance.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[fyimo]

Well it you have a very early M&P and I assumed it was a Model 10 because you said it was. Congratulations as that's a great revolver and will serve you well.

 

[standerson]

Thanks for all the help. Our son is a history buff and this era handgun fits right in. We'll get some pics up soon.

 

[crsides]

Most likely fall of 1946. Looking at a dozen examples around this number, they seem to be shipping more or less in order. I don't imagine they were sitting around collecting dust just after the war.


Charlie

 

[standerson]

Is this information coming from the Smith and Wesson Standard Catalog?

If so, we may have to go invest in one.

On another note, what speed loader fits this? We bought one for an Mod 10 but it doesn't fit.


Thanks.

 

[shouldazagged]

Our son enjoys older weapons far more than "the new fangled" ones.

Your son is obviously a young man of excellent taste and judgment.

 

[JP@AK]

Is this information coming from the Smith and Wesson Standard Catalog? If so, we may have to go invest in one.

The SCSW has tons of good info in it. In the case of this particular model and time frame, it is a bit vague in the serial number range. I'm narrowing it down based on data I've collected on these particular SV and S serial guns over time.

On another note, what speed loader fits this? We bought one for an Mod 10 but it doesn't fit.

Odd. The frame size is the same, so I don't know why it wouldn't work.
Jack

 

[standerson]

I replied to your PM.

Thanks