New Model 10 owner

[AmericanDragon]

Hey everyone,

I just got my revolver from the local pawn shop.

It came with some broken Franzite(?) grips, so I need to get some replacements for it. This is my first revolver I'm very excited.

Could someone please tell me about it?

Serial number on cylinder and butt is : C 3340XXX

Thanks for your help

I also counted 5 screws, if that helps

 

[Art Doc]

I'm not an expert but it looks like a Military & Police Model with a 4" barrel and nickel finish. No idea if the nickel is original or if it's been refinished. My guess is it's from around 1955 or so but I could be wrong. Usually am. This becomes the Model 10 in 1957. Needs square butt K frame stocks. Should be easy to find. If you want the correct version (pre 1968) they will have a small diamond around the retaining screw but any K frame stocks will fit.

This is the classic S&W revolver.

 

[Road Rat]

If you have local gun shows you can find a set of original walnut grips fairly inexpensive.

You can also go to ebay and do a search for "s&w k frame grips" and look at all that are available. Some inexpensive and some NOT so inexpensive!

Good luck with your new revolver!

 

[AmericanDragon]

Thanks for the input! I didn't realize it was so old. I've got a piece of history hah. I'm guessing that puts +p ammo out then, right?

I'll start looking for a set of square butt grips then

 

[Jack Flash]

... I'm guessing that puts +p ammo out then, right? ...

That has been vigorously debated on these pages. Search "+P" and you will see all the competing opinions.

 

[Art Doc]

Watch that "something from 1955 is historical" stuff, sonny. I was born in 1955.

Mainstream +P is loaded well below maximum allowable pressure. It will cause no problems in a well made gun in good condition.

 

[roaddog28]

Your M&P is identical to mine. Made around 1955 to 1956. Mine is pictured above as my aviator. They are great revolvers and will outlast you! I use +P in mine sometimes and never have a problem.
Good luck,

 

[AmericanDragon]

Watch that "something from 1955 is historical" stuff, sonny. I was born in 1955.

Mainstream +P is loaded well below maximum allowable pressure. It will cause no problems in a well made gun in good condition.

Haha sorry there sir! My father predates you by 6 years, so he certainly wouldn't have liked my flub

Thank you for your opinion on the matter, and I'll certainly be doing more research on this great board.

Roaddog ~ Hah thanks. I'm proud to own it, and I'm going to get it looked at by a gunsmith just to make sure all is well.

 

[MrO17]

I waas born in 1949 what does that make me? Had an awesome day today. Went shooting with my wife and best friend. He has an outdoor range at his house with targets and steel gongs. And a backdrop to catch the casings. My wife says she relly likes my 2" barrel M & P circa 1948 snubby. I'm in trouble. She also now wants a 9mm 1911. I think i win here either way. Great day in the south!

 

[MrO17]

and american dragon nice gun and welcome to the forum

 

[AmericanDragon]

I waas born in 1949 what does that make me? Had an awesome day today. Went shooting with my wife and best friend. He has an outdoor range at his house with targets and steel gongs. And a backdrop to catch the casings. My wife says she relly likes my 2" barrel M & P circa 1948 snubby. I'm in trouble. She also now wants a 9mm 1911. I think i win here either way. Great day in the south!

Haha I'm getting ribbed for that comment for sure. Glad you had a great outing . I've got a 1911 in 9mm, its a Rock Island Armory that I really enjoy. I've had like one failure to extract in 800 rounds.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Thanks for the input! I didn't realize it was so old. I've got a piece of history hah. I'm guessing that puts +p ammo out then, right?

Not at all. Whether or not +p could be fired in a Smith & Wesson revolver only became an issue with the introduction of aluminum framed revolvers (and those with aluminum cylinders). There has never been any issue with using +p in an all steel Smith & Wesson revolver like yours. The only factor to consider is that every revolver has an expected service life measured in number of rounds fired, and that service life will be longer if +p is never used. Practicing with standard pressure and carrying +p with that revolver (and only occasionally firing +p) is a non-issue.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Now that you have a classic double action Smith & Wesson revolver, you need to get yourself a copy of Fast And Fancy Revolver Shooting by Ed McGivern.

Don't be fooled by the title. It was first printed almost a century ago, so the title was made sensational sounding to attract buyers, but the book is filled with down to earth and essential instructions on becoming proficient with the sidearm that was cutting edge/state of the art combat gear when the book was written, and by a true expert.

 

[JP@AK]

Now that you have a classic double action Smith & Wesson revolver, you need to get yourself a copy of Fast And Fancy Revolver Shooting by Ed McGivern.

I concur. Great book if you can find one for a decent price. Here's a pic of one of my favorite K frames lying atop my 1957 edition of McGivern's book.

 

[JP@AK]

Serial number on cylinder and butt is : C 3340XXX

I also counted 5 screws, if that helps

Yes. The screw count helps, especially since there is one too many digits in the posted serial number. Should it read C3340xx? Or is one of the threes a duplicate?
In either case, you are looking at about 1955, as stated above. This would have been shortly before the upper side plate screw was eliminated. The stocks you are looking for will look like these: