New member with a question....

[K-framer]

Hello to all. My first post.....and I hope that my newbee question will be forgiven.

I am sure that this sort of thing has been asked here about a million times....but, if anyone would be so kind as to consult their copy of the Standard reference for S&Ws, I'd be very grateful. I'm not sure that I want to spend the $$ on the book and I don't think I want to pay S&W $50 for the history letter.

Anyway, I today acquired a nice Model 10-8, sn #C6835XX, with a 3" heavy barrel and round butt. I have been looking for a similar gun for some time and ran across this one at a gun show here in town. I originally wanted a 3" Model 13, but I am quite happy with this M10. I don't load and shoot magnums in my other 38 anyway, let alone +P's, so this one will do fine. Some holster wear, etc. (what could be called a "shooter's grade gun" I suppose) but I don't mind. Obviously a former police issue (or at least, I assume so). There is a stamping on the frame, under the barrel, that reads "ANP 3060". I think that this is was probably added by whichever LE agency had the gun. Fit and function is very nice - and what a lovely smooth trigger ! The lock-up is perfect and she has passed all of the function tests with flying colours. $300 - I was very happy to pay it - as it is exactly what I wanted.

I am curious as to the date of manufacture. I found a source that suggested 1977 or after, for the Model 10-8. However,I also found a source that indicated possibly an earlier date, around 1963 - 1965, based on the "C" prefix. So, I am confused. I am inclined to believe that 1977 or after will be correct, as the gun has a red plastic insert on the front sight blade. I certainly could be wrong, though. Will anyone be so kind as to help me with this ?

Thanks very much !

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome to the Forum.
That serial number is, as you thought, from about '63 or '64.
Jim

 

[K-framer]

Thanks ! '63 - '64.....hmmm. Almost as old as I am !



I have also found the "ANP 3060" stamped on the bottom of the grip frame, as well as under the barrel. Anybody have any ideas ? Could that be "Australian National Police", by any chance ? Just a shot in the dark.....

 

[linde]

. . . Anyway, I today acquired a nice Model 10-8, sn #C6835XX, with a 3" heavy barrel and round butt. I am curious as to the date of manufacture. I found a source that suggested 1977 or after, for the Model 10-8. However,I also found a source that indicated possibly an earlier date, around 1963 - 1965, based on the "C" prefix. So, I am confused!

So am I!

Welcome to the Forum.
That serial number is, as you thought, from about '63 or '64.
Jim

I just hate it when I leave town without my Standard Catalog of S&W! '63-'64 sounds right with that serial number, but I don't see how it can be a Model 10-8. Something just ain't right!

Would someone with their standard catalog please help us out here? When was the 10-8 introduced?

Russ

 

[Rapidray]

I am sure that this sort of thing has been asked here about a million times....but, if anyone would be so kind as to consult their copy of the Standard reference for S&Ws, I'd be very grateful. I'm not sure that I want to spend the $$ on the book and I don't think I want to pay S&W $50 for the history letter.

The SCSW is worth every penny! Packed with lots of great information. I bought the 3rd edition and the next day a friend wanted to sell me his copy of the second. I found there is pictures in the second not in the 3rd edition. So I bought it also. Happy with both of them!

 

[Rapidray]

So am I!

I just hate it when I leave town without my Standard Catalog of S&W! '63-'64 sounds right with that serial number, but I don't see how it can be a Model 10-8. Something just ain't right!

Would someone with their standard catalog please help us out here? When was the 10-8 introduced?

Russ

I am at the hospital picking someone up, off the top of my head I think his gun is not the 60's but much later but I could be wrong as it would not be the first time.

 

[murphydog]

The SCSW suggests 1963. My guess is your "8" in the 10-8 is actually a blurry "6". The 10-8 came out in 1977. Hope this is helpful.

Russ, how did you go out of town without your SCSW?!

 

[linde]

The SCSW suggests 1963. My guess is your "8" in the 10-8 is actually a blurry "6". The 10-8 came out in 1977. Hope this is helpful.

Russ, how did you go out of town without your SCSW?!

Thanks Alan . . . a blurry "6" will do it every time! Perhaps the OP can see if that's the case.

I can't imagine how I could have left home without it . . . but then I'm in Kansas watching grandkids and guess I thought I wouldn't need it. How foolish of me!

Thanks again, Russ

 

[K-framer]

Wow, thanks for all of the help, guys. You are making me feel welcome, for sure.

The "10-8" stamp in the frame is very clear and crisp. So, no mistake there. I thought that I read that the 10-8 didn't appear until 1977....so I was perplexed. I think that the "problem" is with the serial no. That IS rather indistinct - and I may have read it wrong. I am not absolutely sure of the "C6" at the beginning, either.....as the "C6" is not in line with the rest of the numbers, but a bit left and above the others. If that is not part of the serial number, then the only numbers clear enough to read are "835XX". So, I MAY have an incomplete serial number. The "8" at the beginning of the number string is only about 2/3 complete - clear enough to be an "8", but not complete.

So, may I take it that the ser. # is incomplete.....and the gun (since it IS a 10-8) was made in or after 1977 ? Another bit of info.....which I forgot to mention in my first post...is that this is a 3- SCREW gun. So, that definitely makes it 1970's or later, right ? This is also definitely a round butt gun, so that dates it after the 60's as well, right ?

Sorry for the confusion (and the incomplete info)....I am a newbee to S&W's. Clearly, I have a lot to learn about them.

 

[linde]

The "10-8" stamp in the frame is very clear and crisp. So, no mistake there. . . . I think that the "problem" is with the serial no. That IS rather indistinct - and I may have read it wrong. I am not absolutely sure of the "C6" at the beginning, either.....as the "C6" is not in line with the rest of the numbers, but a bit left and above the others. If that is not part of the serial number, then the only numbers clear enough to read are "835XX". So, I MAY have an incomplete serial number. The "8" at the beginning of the number string is only about 2/3 complete - clear enough to be an "8", but not complete. . . .

Are you reading the serial number from the butt of the gun? If so, the letters and numbers should be uniform in appearance. If you are reading the letters/numbers from the yoke cutout of the frame (visible with the cylinder open), you may be reading factory assembly numbers and fitter codes . . . not the serial number. Please verify.

Russ

edit to add: I don't recall when factory started doing it but it's possible with a 10-8 that the serial number was added to the yoke cutout . . . and they often are very difficult to read. The serial number will also on the butt of the gun and normally much easier to read. You may have to remove the grips to see it.

 

[murphydog]

Option 2 is the letter prefix is a D...this ended in 1977, so the 10-8 would have had this.

 

[K-framer]

I'm reading the serial no. from the butt (the bottom of the grip frame, to be exact).....left side. That is the correct position for it, is it not ?

The "C6" I think was a red herring, for sure. My mistake. Those characters are in a larger size than the rest of the numbers, in addition to not being in line with the rest.

So, I think that I have an incomplete serial # on this gun.

I am very intrigued with the "ANP 3060" stamping on the frame, in the yoke area....and on the bottom of the grip frame. I am surmising that this has nothing to do with S&W.....but rather an end - user. Anyone ever seen a similar stamping ?

 

[linde]

I'm reading the serial no. from the butt (the bottom of the grip frame, to be exact).....left side. That is the correct position for it, is it not ?

Hang in there K-framer . . . we'll get this figured out. I was doing fine when you said you were reading the number from the bottom of the grip frame, but then you said the left side.

Pictures often help. Here is a picture serial number C226070 on the butt of the grip frame. The type of grips in this case do not cover the number.

Does that help any?

The many letters and numbers on the left side of the grip frame . . . under the grip panels . . . are fitter's and assembly numbers and generally not useful once the gun leaves the factory.

Russ

 

[murphydog]

I am very intrigued with the "ANP 3060" stamping on the frame, in the yoke area....and on the bottom of the grip frame.

Mystery solved...the ANP prefix from the bottom of the grip frame shipped sometime in 1986, and the 10-8 was made until 1988.

 

[K-framer]

My gosh. The ONLY characters stamped on the BOTTOM of the grip frame are the "ANP 3060" inscription I spoke about earlier. That is also stamped in the yoke area of the frame, right above the "Mod 10-8" stamping. Both stampings are VERY clear and precise. So THAT is the serial number ? Very interesting. Now I am REALLY intrigued !

 

[murphydog]

Yes, those are the standard locations for modern S & W revolver SNs. The three-letter/four-digit format started about 1980.

 

[linde]

Mystery solved...the ANP prefix from the bottom of the grip frame shipped sometime in 1986, and the 10-8 was made until 1988.

Well done, Mr. Holmes. I never considered a 10-8 being made long enough to have been assigned a 3 alpha + 4 numeric serial number. I should stick to the pre-model stuff.

Russ

 

[K-framer]

Thank you very much, Murphydog. Thanks to all others here, as well. Sorry to put you guys to so much trouble - but I am happy to have the information.

Now, to try the gun at the range. It was very clean when I got it home - but I went through it thoroughly, anyway. The bore is beautiful, the forcing cone looks very good. I think that it hasn't been fired too much. Probably an issue weapon, which explains the holster wear and the slight wear in other places. But it certainly hasn't been shot out - VERY far from it. I am hoping that this Smith will like the loads I use in my other 38. However, that is easily remedied - if not.

I'll post again, when I have some range results to report. Thanks again, guys !