Pretty Sure it's a Pre-Model 10

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davidjbrown235

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Hello all, just picked up a S&W Classic revolver (Hand-Ejector) chambered in 38 special. I THINK it's a pre-model 10 but there is no model number anywhere on the gun as far as I can tell. An older coworker needed some money and had a collection of old revolvers in a case from her ranch days in the PNW. Purchased for $300

I count 4 screws on the frame - the grips appear to be the original wood grips, but I am unsure if there is a 5th screw covered by the grip. Frame is blued. Fixed Sights.

Barrel Length is 6"

Serial number is S 987235


Attached are some images:

s&wthree.jpg

s&wtwo.jpg

s&wfour.jpg

s&wone.jpg

s&wfive.jpg
 
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Much appreciated! Now, when you say "between pre-1948" what does that mean exactly? Is that the year range of production? I had no idea this revolver was that old! Is this something that should be preserved and not fired?
 
Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

For comparison's sake, .38 Military & Police (the name of your revolver) serial numbered S983431 shipped in March 1948. S&W didn't assign the Model 10 designation until June 1957.

S&W didn't track manufacturing dates, only shipping dates, and the company didn't ship in serial number order.

You might consider taking your co-worker to lunch or dinner. The price you paid is very good.
 
Last edited:
davidjbrown235 said:
Much appreciated! Now, when you say "between pre-1948" what does that mean exactly? Is that the year range of production? I had no idea this revolver was that old! Is this something that should be preserved and not fired?
Click to expand...
I started to say between 1946 and 1948, but then checked myself and stuck in the "pre" based on it not having the 4 line address on the right side of frame. Shoot it and enjoy it.

Sent from my SM-S506DL using Tapatalk
 
Yeah the fifth screw is under the grip. And you'll note it's flat
instead of being domed like the ones you can see. Get her a good
dinner, she really let you be the caretaker of a working treasure.

For what it's worth, if you just shot standard lead 158 grain and
did normal maintenance on it you'd be hard pressed to shoot
enough ammunition to wear it out.
 
davidjbrown235 said:
Serial number is S 987235
Click to expand...

It is a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver. It is near the end of the long action variant. Yours most likely was assembled before March, 1948, but it could have shipped any time that year after March. I show examples in that serial range shipping as early as April and as late as August. On March 22, 1948, the first C prefix unit was assembled. S prefix units in inventory continued to ship until the supply was exhausted. That happened after C prefix guns had started shipping. As most around here know, S&W did not ship revolvers in serial order.

As others have noted, the frame has five screws. The M&P maintained the 5 screw configuration until 1956, along with all other K and N frames.
 
A couple of thoughts: 1) you might be surprised, possibly astonished, at how well that gun will shoot, and 2) if she has others of that quality in her case, you might want to consider a return visit :)
 
davidjbrown235 said:
Hello all, just picked up a S&W Classic revolver (Hand-Ejector) chambered in 38 special. I THINK it's a pre-model 10 but there is no model number anywhere on the gun as far as I can tell. An older coworker needed some money and had a collection of old revolvers in a case from her ranch days in the PNW. Purchased for $300

I count 4 screws on the frame - the grips appear to be the original wood grips, but I am unsure if there is a 5th screw covered by the grip. Frame is blued. Fixed Sights.

Barrel Length is 6"

Serial number is S 987235


Attached are some images:

View attachment 542029

View attachment 542030

View attachment 542031

View attachment 542032

View attachment 542033
Click to expand...


 
$300! That is a great deal on an old M&P. Looks to be in nice shape.
My first thought was "What? How come this never happens to me". 😂
It will be a good shooter, you will enjoy it.
 
Welcome to the Forum. It might be just me, but I have never liked calling S&Ws "Pre" anything. First, the Model 10 was not even on the radar of the company when that revolver was manufactured, second it does have a name that the company gave it back in 1948. As Jack states it was simply named a 38 Military & Police revolver. In the early post-WWI era, they added the term "New", which I believe refers to the post-war short action revolvers, just briefly introduced right at the start of WWII, but suspended production until after the war.

I would say that you can very safely state your gun by mid-1948. Almost all late-shipped 1948 guns I have seen have a four line address instead of the MADE IN USA.
 
glowe said:
Welcome to the Forum. It might be just me, but I have never liked calling S&Ws "Pre" anything. First, the Model 10 was not even on the radar of the company when that revolver was manufactured, second it does have a name that the company gave it back in 1948.
Click to expand...
I'm the same way for the same reason...It just grates on the nerves...But I'm trying to be more tolerant of it in my cranky "golden" years...:cool:...Ben
 
Peak53 said:
A couple of thoughts: 1) you might be surprised, possibly astonished, at how well that gun will shoot, and 2) If she has others of that quality in her case, you might want to consider a return visit :)
Click to expand...

I was thinking the exact same thing.
 
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