I have a few questions on a Pre-Model 10 that's been in my family for years. The gun is a .38 special 5 screw with a 5 inch barrel, serial number 570XXX. The top of the barrel has Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass USA Patented Feb 06 06 Sept 14 09 Dec 29 14 stamped on it. The backstrap is stamped C.H. Fuller. The family lore is that it was my Great Grandfather's service revolver when he was chief of police in a ND town and that C.H. Fuller was a traveling salesman that sold guns. There appears to be a spot on the right side that someone professionally removed a marking from? Any thoughts or insight is appreciated
Pre-Model 10 Value
- Thread starter montana09
- Start date
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I'd say late 1926 or early 1927; s/n 571565 shipped 1/27. Beautiful revolver. Priceless to your family.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 I'd guess; maybe more.
It is definitely a pre Model 10.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 I'd guess; maybe more.
It is definitely a pre Model 10.
Your gun would date to somewhere in the late 20's
It's correct/proper name would be A Military & Police model of 1905 4th change. It would eventually evolve to become a model 10 but does have some pretty significant differences.
It's correct/proper name would be A Military & Police model of 1905 4th change. It would eventually evolve to become a model 10 but does have some pretty significant differences.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
The closest I have to yours is s/n 535896; it shipped 4/26.
I think the ejector rod was changed to the OP's style sometime in 27
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
It’s a bit too early for a “true” pre-Model 10, as we apply that term generally only to M&P’s from 1948 to the beginning of model numbers in 1957/58.
Too bad about that removed marking. As for the name, it’s doubtful anyone but an owner of that gun would engrave his name on a gun like that. As a family heirloom, the gun would be worth a history letter to me, although there is no guarantee it would reveal a lot.
Too bad about that removed marking. As for the name, it’s doubtful anyone but an owner of that gun would engrave his name on a gun like that. As a family heirloom, the gun would be worth a history letter to me, although there is no guarantee it would reveal a lot.
Last edited:
Could have been this guys gun and the missing part was an inscription from who gave it to him.
C. H. Fuller :: WWI Military Portraits
C. H. Fuller :: WWI Military Portraits
Paul, that is a very interesting note and may bear some looking into! I know that during the first World War my Great Grandfather who owned the revolver served in the 1st infantry division, the Big Red One as we still have his uniform. Thank
two-bit cowboy
US Veteran
Welcome aboard from Wyoming.
Terrific 38 M&P! Looks like there's more research to do -- always fun. Enjoy.
Terrific 38 M&P! Looks like there's more research to do -- always fun. Enjoy.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Or Fuller worked for a time as a police officer after the war and the inscription removed (when he left and kept the gun) was the department identifier. Maybe he then worked as a traveling salesman per the OP’s story and needed money, and that’s how the OP’s greatgrandfather came to buy it. Lots of ways to spin a plausible yarn
Inscribing their name on their service gun was quite popular among policemen of that time. I’ve got two examples from 1915 and 1923.
Attachments
Similar threads
