S&W 10-?

[WHelena01]

Hey guys,

Decide to clean some of my guns today, one of which was my mom's .38 special. Started wondering when it was made, taking a guess with the 61 to 80 forum. The serial number is 181601 and the number behind the wheel looks to be 5259. She bought at a pawn shop for $225.00 for protection since she was living alone. She really liked shooting it. Thanks.

 

[palmetto99]

That looks like a pre-model 10.

 

[merl67]

Looks to be a pre war model Military and Police if you post it in the 1896 to 1961 section I think you will get more answers to your questions. The grips are from a much later Smith & Wesson.

 

[P&R Fan]

That number without a letter dates to before 1915.It doesn't look that old to me.
If there is a D in front of it, it would date to about 1970. With a C it would be the late '40s or early '50s.
Jim

 

[WHelena01]

That number without a letter dates to before 1915.It doesn't look that old to me.
If there is a D in front of it, it would date to about 1970. With a C it would be the late '40s or early '50s.
Jim

There is no letter before the serial number on the butt. Just 181601.

 

[WHelena01]

Looks to be a pre war model Military and Police if you post it in the 1896 to 1961 section I think you will get more answers to your questions. The grips are from a much later Smith & Wesson.

Is there a simple way to move the post? I went to the advance edit option but couldnt figure out how to move it.

 

[WHelena01]

Here is a picture of the butt/serial number.

 

[murphydog]

It looks to be a .38 Military & Police, 3rd Change, from about 1910. The same basic gun was named the model 10 in 1957. It is difficult to tell if it has been refinished but it looks nice. I don't think I'll look that good at 103 . Hope this is helpful.

 

[gboling]

That serial number is well before 1961 or the pre Model 10. The serial number appears to be from a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 -3rd change. However, that gun would have a large S&W logo on the right side plate and ".38 S&W Special CTG" on the right side of the barrel. It would also have pattent dates on the right side of the barrel and a screw in front of the trigger guard.

In the picture it appears that all markings on the right side of the gun are gone. If so the logo etc. may have been buffed off prior to a re-blueing.

You may want to move this to the 1896 to 1961 forum.

 

[Art Doc]

It was heavily buffed and reblued losing most of the stampings.

Quick tip: See that large knob on the end of the ejector rod? That changed to a small one 1927 so you can ID before or after that date at a glance.

 

[WHelena01]

Thanks for the info. Cant figure out how to move post so I'm going to make a new post in the 1896-1961 forum.

 

[WHelena01]

Thanks for the info. Cant figure out how to move post so I'm going to make a new post in the 1896-1961 forum.

Reposted in the 96-61 forum. Moderator please end this thread. Thanks!