S&W 38 special revolver question

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cmozena

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I have a 38 special that was handed down to me. The serial number is on the bottom and reads C 452xxx. It has fixed sights and also has MOD-10 stamped in front of the cylinder.

Im trying to figure out what year it was made and possibly what its worth. Im not trying to sell it though. Just looking for info.

If anyone could help, I would greatly appreciate it :)

I've attached a photo if that helps.
 

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Nice gun.

The model 10 is well regarded and is the standard for 38spc revolvers.

The value is somewhat held down by the quantity made as there are LOTS of them. But that one is probably in the mid $400 range.

Like I said its a great gun. I have two of them. One stays loaded in my closet. If you are not really into guns but want to keep one the model 10 is a good choice.
 
Thanks for the fast response. I did some research and from what I gather, it's a service revolver from 1960. My daily CC is a Px4 storm full size .40. So this should be a nice change of pace at the range.
 
Yes, it was made sometime in 1960.

It is known as a Model 10 .38 Military & Police.

Yours appears to be a Model 10-1 4" heavy barrel, best I can tell from the photo.

Some consider it to be one of the best and most reliable revolvers ever made.

rc
 
Because of the diamond grips you can be fairly sure the gun was shipped prior to 1969. I can find my book right now or I would give you the exact year.
 
Thanks rcmodel. That makes me even more anxious to try it out! My girls dad has a S&W .357 revolver that is really fun to shoot. I cant wait to show and tell what I've learned on here.
 
Its in really good shape. But, having said that, should I clean it before I use it or even try to shoot it at all? I dont want to damage it given the age.
 
I would clean it to be sure there are no problems and add a little oil to the moving parts. In revolver terms, that's really not an old revolver. Also, the all steel S&W revolvers made from 1957 on are made from strong steel and they used modern heat treating methods. As long as there is nothing mechanically wrong with that revolver it will outlast you.
 
Thats ok ArchAngel. Was the diamond just a 60s era modification? Im interested in all the info you guys have to offer:)
 
Go to the S&W web site and e-mail them at the address in the "Contact Us" section. Give them the model and serial number and ask for the year of manufacture. They will reply back within a couple of days.
 
Oh wow! Thats good to know! All of the moving parts seem to be in great shape with nothing loose or binding. The firing pin moves a little back and forth in the hammer.But Ive heard thats ok and necessary to an extent.
 
The firing pin is designed to move up and down in the hammer. Some float and some are spring loaded. Just don’t ask me why the difference. I believe that all the S&W stocks had the diamond around the screw until the late 1960’s. And, it’s not old. In my opinion, old is pre WWI and some will still not consider that to be old.

Shoot it, clean it, and shoot it some more. It will out live you.
 
A good S&W like that one is a dream to shoot. I have owned several and have several that are still tack drivers especially with a 3" barrel. I don't care for the pencil barrels but they all seem to be held in high esteem because they are real work horses. Just don't run hot loads through it to cut the top strap and you'll have a true go to gun.
 
Howdy

It does appear to be a Model 10-1. (Model 10, dash 1). The 4" heavy barrel was introduced in 1959 with the Model 10-1. However, if it is a -1 it should say so on the frame under the yoke. If it just says Mod 10, it is a Model 10, no dash. The first version of the gun. According to SCSW the Model 10 was introduced in 1957, -1 with the heavy barrel in 1959. -2 and -3 with the extractor rod thread changed to left hand came along in 1961.

According to SCSW the SN range for 1961 - 1962 is C 474149 - C 622699, which would put C 452xxx towards the beginning of that period.

But anybody who has studied S&W for a while knows there are always exceptions to every rule.

I must take exception to anybody who thinks a revolver from the early 1960s is old. Heck, I'm older than that.

The grips are called Magna grips. Magna grips extend up and cover a side plate screw at the corner of the frame. Various versions of them were made as early as 1936, up until around 1967. With the uncheckered diamond around the screw, they are called Diamond Center Magnas.

See if you can carefully remove the grips, without damaging the screw. Look on the underside. S&W usually marked the SN on the underside of one of the grips before they left the factory. Sometimes in pencil, sometimes stamped in. If the SN on the grips matches the SN under the butt, the gun left the factory with those grips.
 
+1

And Do Not try to pry the grips off.

Loosen the screw completely.

Then push on the screw with the screwdriver to pop the right grip off.

After that, use your fingers to pop the left grip off the open frame.

rc
 
Do any other oldies find it amusing that a revolver made in 1960 should be considered too old and delicate to be fired?

Jim
 
Do any other oldies find it amusing that a revolver made in 1960 should be considered too old and delicate to be fired?
Jim
I sure did!!!!

Almost choked on my oatmeal!!!!

I got shorts older then that!!

In my gun collection, that is a new gun, when they still made them right!!!



rc
 
I tend to think of '68 as the end of the 'early modern era' for S&W. If it doesn't have Diamond grips it may not be safe to shoot. :p
 
S&W Model 10

Do any other oldies find it amusing that a revolver made in 1960 should be considered too old and delicate to be fired?

Jim

Heck, yes !

I have a daughter older than that!

And for rc, I do have oatmeal eeeveryeee morning, thank you.

The S&W M&P &/or Model 10's are great guns. I have more than one, and a 10-6 is by my bed.:)
 
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