Pre Model 10 serial numbers

[linde]

. . . Do you mind if I ask what reference you used for the April 1951 date? I may want to use it for another S&W gun I have . . .

I use my own data base, compiled as I find verified information from various places. To the best of my knowledge there is no readily available SN reference source for most M&Ps, other than the serial number range by year in SCSW.

Many of us create such a data base for particular models of interest. DWalt has an excellent one for several models . . . including yours . . . and others will chime in when we can add to the available information.

Put us to the test by posting your other example. I would suggest starting a new thread for it so it doesn't get lost.

Russ

 

[Iris]

I use my own data base, compiled as I find verified information from various places. To the best of my knowledge there is no readily available SN reference source for most M&Ps, other than the serial number range by year in SCSW.

Thank you again, DWalt. You and others on this thread have offered fabulous information. I will start my own thread, since now, I know I'm not doing this exactly right.

 

[Carley]

Looking for 1954 pre model 10

I'm new to the Forum.
Good friend...born in 1954 is looking for a pre model 10 from that year.
Wondered if anyone could steer me toward a serial number range for that year and then the best place to look for one online.
Gunbroker seems to have quite a few, but not so many pre model 10 vintage.
Thanks
KC

 

[Absalom]

I'm new to the Forum.
Good friend...born in 1954 is looking for a pre model 10 from that year.
Wondered if anyone could steer me toward a serial number range for that year and then the best place to look for one online.
Gunbroker seems to have quite a few, but not so many pre model 10 vintage.
Thanks
KC

Hello, welcome to the forum.

The Standard Catalog starts 1954 with serial number C 277555, so that gives you a starting point. Unfortunately, it doesn't give an end point for that year, but just up to C 402923 for 1954-56 (sometime the company records didn't allow more precise info). But you could extrapolate roughly, and likely be safe with any gun below C 300000. There are irregularities and guns sometimes shipped quite some time after the assumed date of manufacture (and there are no records of that for us; history letters only give us shipping dates), so nothing is ever 100% unless your friend finds a gun that's already lettered.

As for a source, I only buy local or on Gunbroker, which really has the largest selection, so I don't have other recommendations. You could post a WTB in this forum. If you check GB, don't just search for pre-Model 10, but also Model 10 and M&P and even Model 1905 4th change; people don't use labels consistently.

 

[DCWilson]

I'm new to the Forum.
Good friend...born in 1954 is looking for a pre model 10 from that year.
Wondered if anyone could steer me toward a serial number range for that year and then the best place to look for one online.
Gunbroker seems to have quite a few, but not so many pre model 10 vintage.
Thanks
KC

Absalom answered before I finished writing, but I'll go ahead and post anyway since my thoughts pretty much back up what he said.

There is no hard and fast rule about serial numbers, but most K-frame .38s with serial numbers between C275000 and C315000 seem to have shipped in 1954. That includes not only the Pre-10s, but some Airweight models as well. But a lower serial number might have shipped as late as 1954 if the item spent a lot of time in S&W's vault before being pulled for delivery. And some items in the serial range I offered might not have shipped until 1955 or even later if they got stuck on a back shelf. S&W had no policy that required them to ship in serial number order.

If Gunbroker isn't working for you, you could always place a WTB note in the Classifieds on this forum.

Speaking of which, welcome to the Forum.

 

[COWBOYUP57]

NEED HELP IDENTIFICATION 38 S. & W. CTG

HOWDY YA'LL ... NEW TO THE FORUM ... WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP / INFO ... I HAVE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A MODEL 10 OR PRE 10 NOT SURE ... ON RIGHT SIDE OF BARREL HAS ... 38 S. & W. CTG ... SERIAL # 816XX ON BOTTOM OF BUTT ... INSIDE YOKE HAS # 88511 ... NO OTHER MARKINGS OF MODEL # ... JUST SMITH & WESSON ON LEFT SIDE OF BARREL ... 4" BLUED 5 SHOT ... ANY HELP GREATLY APPRECIATED ...
THANKS .. COWBOYUP57 ....

 

[Inusuit]

HOWDY YA'LL ... NEW TO THE FORUM ... WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP / INFO ... I HAVE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A MODEL 10 OR PRE 10 NOT SURE ... ON RIGHT SIDE OF BARREL HAS ... 38 S. & W. CTG ... SERIAL # 816XX ON BOTTOM OF BUTT ... INSIDE YOKE HAS # 88511 ... NO OTHER MARKINGS OF MODEL # ... JUST SMITH & WESSON ON LEFT SIDE OF BARREL ... 4" BLUED 5 SHOT ... ANY HELP GREATLY APPRECIATED ...
THANKS .. COWBOYUP57 ....

Please don't type in all caps, it's distracting and hard to read. Please see the sticky at the top of the forum for the information needed to identify your revolver. And several clear pictures are always helpful.

Because you say this has five chambers and is marked .38 S&W CTG (CTG=Cartridge), your revolver is definitely not a model 10 or pre model 10 which were all six shooters. It may be what is called a "break-top," which means it sort of folds in half to eject the cartridges and to reload.

816XX on the butt is the serial number, the others are assembly numbers used to keep parts together during the manufacturing process. If your revolver has an exposed hammer and my previous guesses are correct, then you could have a .38 Double Action 2nd Model. The serial number range for this model is 4001-119000, c. 1880-1884. Again, pictures and more information are necessary for a correct identification.

I stress that I'm guessing here. Other people with more knowledge may give you better answers.

 

[COWBOYUP57]

NEED HELP IDENTIFICATION 38 S. & W. CTG

Please don't type in all caps, it's distracting and hard to read. Please see the sticky at the top of the forum for the information needed to identify your revolver. And several clear pictures are always helpful.

Because you say this has five chambers and is marked .38 S&W CTG (CTG=Cartridge), your revolver is definitely not a model 10 or pre model 10 which were all six shooters. It may be what is called a "break-top," which means it sort of folds in half to eject the cartridges and to reload.

816XX on the butt is the serial number, the others are assembly numbers used to keep parts together during the manufacturing process. If your revolver has an exposed hammer and my previous guesses are correct, then you could have a .38 Double Action 2nd Model. The serial number range for this model is 4001-119000, c. 1880-1884. Again, pictures and more information are necessary for a correct identification.

I stress that I'm guessing here. Other people with more knowledge may give you better answers.

SORRY .... Did not intend to PO anybody using all caps .. i guess some people still got better eyes than me ... first .. i have a lemon squeezer that is A Top Break ... but this is not a top break ... cylinder swings out like all S&W Revolvers & it is a 5 shot .. it has a straight bbl not tapered .. but front sight is tapered & milled ... rear sight is just a groove on top of frame .. i will try & see if i can upload photos ... better on a Horse .. than I am on a dadblasted computer ... But THANK YOU ... for your reply Sir ...

 

[Inusuit]

No worries. I'm sorry, but I'm unable to come up with a revolver chambered in .38 S&W with a straight 4" barrel, five chambers, and a tapered front sight. The .38 Regulation Police (postwar) is a five shot, 4" barrel, .38 S&W CTG but the picture in the S&W Catalog shows a half round front sight. Google .38 Regulation Police Postwar Pictures and see if there's anything there that looks like your revolver. Some of the pictures I found using those search terms do show a tapered front sight.

Good Luck.

 

[Muley Gil]

Sounds like a pre Model 33 Regulation Police. These eventually got ramp front sights.

 

[COWBOYUP57]

Sounds like a pre Model 33 Regulation Police. These eventually got ramp front sights.

THANKS .... I appreciate your response & Your Time Served in Uniform ... We Need More People LIKE YOU .... COWBOYUP57 ..

 

[Carley]

Big Thanks to Absalom and David Wilson for your help.

Certainly gives me a starting place for serial numbers and I'll keep my eye on gunbroker with all of those tags suggested.

KC

 

[COWBOYUP57]

NEED HELP IDENTIFICATION 38 S. & W. CTG

I'm trying to locate a Pre Model 10 M&P with a ship date in 1949. Does anyone know the serial number range for that year?

MR. BABALOOIE .... My Apologies To YOU .... For Jumping in on Your Thread ...

Was My First Time on Forum & I AM Still Figuring Out How IT All Works ... But I Got Great Info From Members HONDO 44 & DWalt

Good Luck To You SIR ... & Thanks For Your Time in UNIFORM ...

COWBOYUP57 ...

 

[Club Gun Fan]

C149596 would most likely have shipped in April, 1951. What you have is a prettied-up M&P snubbie (K-frame), the prettying-up almost certainly done outside the S&W factory. The grips are interesting. I don't think they are ivory, but they could be.

Again most likely your wrong.

 

[Babalooie]

MR. BABALOOIE .... My Apologies To YOU .... For Jumping in on Your Thread ...

.

That was over six years ago. Don't let it bother you.

FYI I did get a gun that shipped in 1949. It's in the safe right now.

Here's the info:

Pre-Model 10, Blue, 4 in. , SN C58781


 

[Smijen]

I have a pre model 10

I just acquired a pre model 10 serial # S867731. Can anyone help me with year?

 

[JP@AK]

I just acquired a pre model 10 serial # S867731. Can anyone help me with year?

See here:
Please help

I'm assuming you posted here first and then realized you needed to start your own thread. Good move!

Edit: Yep! Checked. This one was posted first. Anyway, your answers are in the other thread.

 

[Targets Guy]

Here is my input on using serial numbers to date a gun.

C113082 shipped in 9/50
C155209 shipped in 5/50

Let the buyer beware.