S&W Model 10 Questions

[DEVILDOG394]

I have a problem trying to identify a Mod. 10 M&P I have in my possession.

The left side of the 4" bbl is printed as:
SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS. U.S.A
PATENTED FEB.6.06.DEPT.14.09.DEV.29.14
(then centered on the above, printed below)
F.R.
R.F.I.
1967
SMITH & WESSON

The right side of the bbl is printed as:
.38 SPL.

The bottom of the bbl is printed as:
ECCSA PENN, N.J.

The right side if the receiver has the S&W imprint (but very weak)

It is a 5-screw receiver.

Below the cylinder and above the trigger guard is printed:
MADE IN THE U.S.A.

The Ser.No. is: 910087

Inside the left side cylinder opening is printed:
Either 65 or S5. Then below that, the number is:
51838

The cylinder has the Ser.No. 910087, then 317350

The butt of the grip has printing as:
910087, then W, then bomb stamp and left pointing arrow.

The bbl is pinned, with a tall, wide sight and grooved fixed rear sight.

The spring in the grip is numbered as:
S6
57
1

It has a set of checkered rubber grips with the S&W emblem. It is finger grooved. On the inside of the grips is printed:
S&W K, SQUARE BUTT, MADE IN ITALY

I know there is a lot of information here, but, I am trying to include everything printed on the entire revolver. This is also not a heavy bbl either.

I think it was probably sold to another country, then imported back into this country. Maybe the British government.

I tried to do a lot of research already and came up with nothing.

Maybe some of you S&W experts could assist me.

Thanks again,
Devildog394
MSGT USMC

 

[DWalt]

Sounds like an early WWII pre-Victory M&P model in .38 Special. Does the SN have a V-prefix? Good pictures would help identification. Grips would not be original, and it would not be a Model 10 - that designation came somewhat later, after 1956. These things found their way all over the world, and yours was probably re-imported from somewhere.

 

[DEVILDOG394]

There is no V-prefix, the bbl is stamped with 1967. I think it was sold to another country, then imported back into this country by a company called ECCSA, Penn, NJ. It just has me stumped. It is not in great condition. But after I cleaned it all up, it is in shootable condition and reliable now. I was planning on redoing the entire gun myself, but did not want to mess with it, until I know what I do have. I will try to get pictures on it if I can. Grips are original on this one.

Devildog394

 

[Texas Star]

Grips are probably made by Sile.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

E.C.C.S.A Pennsauken N.J. From an Internet search. It is reported this is the Cross Roads Gun Shop and would have been the importer.

 

[DCWilson]

If you swing the cylinder out and look at the flat underside of the barrel, what number do you see stamped there? It should be another instance of the serial number, but there could be other stuff too.

Did you report the caliber stamping exactly, or does it say 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG?

Do you see any stampings that look like a British Crown or the initials BNP? Or stamps that say 0.67 inches or 4 tons per square inch? (There are variations possible in these markings.)

As suggested, it is almost certainly a Pre-Victory manufactured in late 1941 or early 1942. The American guns in this series chambered the .38 Special round, but the guns made for British export were provided in .38 S&W, or .38/200 as our cousins called the cartridge. After the war, many of these British guns were bored out to accept the .38 Special round, and the guns were imported into North America for resale. The four inch barrel suggests this one chambered .38 Special from the start, as British revolvers had five-inch barrels. The import stamp makes it sound as though it came back into the country from somewhere else.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Doing a little research on E.C.C.S.A indicates they imported military surplus and redid the guns for sale sometimes taking a good barrel and putting it on a gun with a good receiver but bad barrel, etc. There are several discussions on different forums about rifles people bought that had their stamping. Without a good inspection of the gun, folks are going to have a hard time pinning down what you have. So, pictures are essential as soon as you can post them. If you need help posting, let me know and I'll help.