help dating a S&W model 10

[Alex]

The other day I was at a local gunshop and came across a nice old 6" S&W model 10. It still had the original box and oil wrap and was about as close to mint as I've seen for a long time, the grips had the diamond checkering pattern in them so I figured it had to go back a few years, I ended up putting it on layaway since I needed a bit more time to think about it. Anyways the serial number is 575758. I couldn't find anywhere on the web that dealt with S&W dates of manufacture, but this forum has always been good for information so I figured all you folks would be able to help me. I suspect that it's a 50's model, though I've been wrong before. So any information you can give me on a date a price range would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Brian Williams]

Is there a K or a C or even an S in that serial number somewhere and you need to get the serial number off of the butt or the grip frame not the yoke, many times the yoke has assembly numbers on it.

I have a pre mod 10 from 1956 that has a C3725XX serial number and a K38 from 1950 that has K991XX

 

[woolfam]

Forgive me for being a little off topic here, but...

If you take "dating" in the romantic sense and "model" in the occupational sense (both of which I did when I first read your title) your post could surely invoke some interesting responses.

 

[BryanP]

woolfam,

Don't bother with the jokes. That thread already came and went quite recently.

 

[woolfam]

Oops - sorry, I must have missed that one.

 

[mjb]

I would look at the inside of the cylinder crane where the model number is. If it doesn't show a 10, or a 10-1, 10-2, etc, than it is a Military and Police model. If it is, don't shoot +P ammo in it. Also, I always look at how many screws are on the right side of the gun. If it has 5 screws, one in fromt of the trigger guard, the other four on the side plate, than it is not a model 10, but a Military and Police model. If it has four screws, than it was made between 1957-1961. A three screw is what they make today-post 1961.

 

[cropcirclewalker]

I will jump in here too, if it's OK.

Mine has a 10-5 inside the crane and on the bottom of the grip is D5169XX.

there is also a 66050 on the side of the grip which matches the one on the swing out part of the cylinder. 3 screws on the right side plate and down on the right side of the frame under the grip is a D in a circle and what looks like an R in a triangle.

 

[JA]

This website will help you out on the -? model changes.

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

 

[Model520Fan]

I believe that 316648 is the earliest M&P that has proper heat treatment to allow use of +P ammo. You could call S&W or ask the folks over at www.smith-wessonforum.com to confirm this.