S&W Pre 10 --finish/chemicals part -2

[MIR]

A many thanks to those who replied to my inquiry about a pre-10 I picked up the other day----I used some finger nail polish remover on the lettering where the previous owner had painted it all gold and the acetone removed it just fine with a little scrubbing with a brush and q-tip.

Now the other question, I have tried S&W for the last three days to get someone to answer my call regarding the SN# and year it was mfg. I cant seem to find anywhere on the net that gives this information.

Can anyone shed any information on a Pre-10 4" it has diamond grips and the SN# is: S 873xxx

 

[merl67]

With that serial number I would think around 1946-47 give or take a year. I will ask the moderator to move this for you to the 1896-1961 sub forum

 

[Muley Gil]

Your revolver isn't a pre Model 10, because the pre M10s have the short action and your M&P has the older pre WW II long action.

 

[Major 2]

SN# is: S 873xxx puts it well into 1947

 

[S42N8]

You won't get any info from S&W; that info would be gained through a factory letter from the S&W Collectors Assn. The estimates above are as close as you'll get without a letter, which (except in rare cases) will state when your gun was shipped, in what configuration, to what gun store or buyer, and if there were any features unique to this gun. Search factory letter on the Forum and you'll see examples. Link to ordering a letter is below; cost is $100, and normally takes 4-6 weeks. Enjoy your M&P!

Factory letter at: Factory Letter – Smith & Wesson Collectors Association

 

[MIR]

And all this time I thought I had a pre-10, but I am learning from all you fine folks.....I am new to all this

So if its not a PRE-10 what is it technically called then, an M&P? Military/Police model 10...what?

 

[murphydog]

It is a .38 Military & Police, which was and is its model name. After 1957, it was also called a model 10 but still kept its name (just easier to refer to it with its number).

The "pre-model" term is a collector's invention and usually refers to a gun made very soon before model stamping started but is mechanically identical or nearly so.

Member JP@AK is the local postwar M & P expert and may be along shortly with more information. He can probably narrow your gun's age to within a few months.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Jack'll be along shortly. But I have some nearby serials and dates.


.38 M&P serial S855436 was shipped in November 1946. .38 M&P serial S866315 was shipped in January 1947. .38 M&P serial S913436 was shipped in June 1947.


So, my SWAG is your gun shipped in Feb/Mar 1947.

 

[JP@AK]

Ship dates on M&P revolvers serialized in the S873xxx range were a bit spread out. I see them as early as February, 1947, and as late as April, 1947. So, you could say, "March, 1947, give or take a month." A letter from the SWHF would give you certainty if you need it.