Model 10?

[Cuda]

Hello!

I picked up a a S&W .38 today, and was told it was a Model 10...but, when I look at model 10 serial number lists (at least the ones Google has provided), it doesn't seem to be on there.

So, after reading the sticky, I can give the following information (bad pictures will follow).

There is no model number under the yoke; what is there is 10XXX, with XXX being the last three digits of my serial number.

The serial number on the bottom of the butt is 388XXX followed by a star.

It is a five-screw.

.38 S&W SPECIAL CTG on the right side of the barrel.

I was told it had been refinished, which I believe, as it is in very good shape; I was also told it was refinished by S&W, but that could not be verified.

It's definitely a shooter; when I took it to the range right after I bought it, my first 12 shots made a nice golf-ball sized hole just a touch high of where I was aiming at about 20 feet or so.

So...any enlightenment on what I have?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Doug M.]

If my understanding is correct, that s/n would be pre WW2. I'm probably wrong. I think it was referred to as a model 10 because most shooters think of the entire line of M&P .38 special hand ejectors as "Model 10". The more precise use of terminology that occurs here is not common outside of the hardcore S&W nerds.

Pictures will help. They will help almost as much as someone coming along who knows what they are seeing and about which they are speaking.

 

[Cuda]

Well, here are the bad pics...I can likely get better ones tomorrow in better light.

 

[Doug M.]

Well, based on that hammer configuration, I may not have been as wrong as I warned that I could be.

 

[Cuda]

Thanks, Doug.

I was looking through the M&P Picture thread a little ways down--I've seen a few that resemble mine, so I'm getting a suspicion it may be from the 1920's...

 

[AZretired]

Looks like an M&P Hand ejector probably made in the early 20's as I don't see Made In USA on it

 

[scha]

I agree this is a Military & Police hand ejector from 1919 to early 1920s. The large knob on the ejector rod is from this period. The "Made in USA" stamp was added in 1922 and this one is earlier than that. The grips are not original as they date from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[jsfricks]

The star next to the serial number is probably your indicator of a factory refinish.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Looks like an M&P Hand ejector probably made in the early 20's as I don't see Made In USA on it

I agree, I have 541xxx from 1926 it has the Made in USA.

It's real designation is M&P Model of 1905 4th Change

Real nice piece !

 

[Cuda]

I agree this is a Military & Police hand ejector from the early to mid 1920s. The large knob on the ejector rod is from this period. The grips are not original as they are from the late 1940s to early 1950s.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Absolutely it does--thank you (and everyone else replying).

The grips make sense-I've read that the star after the serial number means it took a trip back to S&W at some point prior to the early 1960's--if this is correct, perhaps the grips were replaced then?

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. Early 1920s, probably 1920 or 1921. The shape of the extractor rod knob and the lack of Made in U.S.A. confirm this along with the serial number of 388xxx. The number in the yoke area is not the serial number.
Definitely refinished. The star on the butt indicates it was returned at some time to the factory. It might have been refinished at that time, but it is difficult to say for sure. If you take off the stocks and look on the left side of the grip frame you will probably find a date code that looks like this: 7.32 and this will tell you the month and year your revolver made a visit to the factory. If the letters RB are also found there, it was probably refinished at that time.
The stocks on your gun are very nice examples of the immediate postwar style (about 1946-1949). They are worth a couple bucks too. Can you post a photo of the inside of them?
The stocks that came on your gun would have looked like those in the photo I'm posting with these comments.
Cheers.
Jack

This revolver shipped from the factory in February, 1926. It has the Made in U.S.A. legend and still has the same knob as yours. The latter was changed the next year.

 

[Cuda]

Yep--I found a "9.52" underneath the stocks; I also found a "B" but no "RB"--and the "B" was on the right side of the frame.

And, a photo of the inside of the stocks:

 

[JP@AK]

Okay. That is the last style of the sharp-shouldered postwar stocks. The very earliest style had machined steel inserts, which were fairly quickly replaced with the stamped steel type, which you have. Still very nice.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Notice the dimple up high on the right panel? These were used until the rear sideplate screw was changed to a flat head, so the dimple became unnecessary.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

Yep--I found a "9.52" underneath the stocks; I also found a "B" but no "RB"--and the "B" was on the right side of the frame.

Your revolver made a visit to the factory in September, 1952. The question of a refinish at that time is open. I don't think the B on the right side is indicative of a factory refinish. You will probably also find a B on the barrel flat which indicates an original blue finish.
Jack

 

[Cuda]

Thanks!

For something I bought intending it to be a shooter, just wanted a K-Frame .38 for my wife to try out...well, I guess I got something a bit more than expected...

I have a feeling this is a keeper.

 

[JP@AK]

I have a feeling this is a keeper.

Yep! A keeper for sure, refinished or not. You should enjoy shooting this gun. I love to shoot all my prewar guns as well as the immediate postwar examples that still have the long action.
Jack

 

[x10x10]

A model 10 can be tweaked into a GREAT shooter, most are good from day one,

 

[bedbugbilly]

Ahhh . . . you can swing by my house and drop that one in my Christmas stocking anytime!

Congrats on your find . . . it's nice to be surprised by what you actually have sometimes . . . looks like a great refinish job and from the sounds of it, a great shooter! I've enjoyed reading the posts on the history . . . very interesting. Enjoy!

 

[DWalt]

I have one with a SN in the 387xxx range which shipped in 6/21.