Help please.. info on model S&W 10-5

[digi-shots]

I've got a S&W .38 model 10-5 (probably about a 1962-63?) s/n C 619,xxx

Can someone tell me where all the serial numbers are supposed to be stamped on this particular model & vintage?
I don't see anything stamped under the barrel...? could it be a replacement barrel?

I know the Victory models were stamped in 5 different places (butt, inside r/h grip, under barrel, rear of cylinder and inside of extractor star)

It's a little worn, with U.S. stamping on the backstrap, and a P proof mark on the left side, just in front of the trigger.

Thanks!

 

[FPrice]

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW), the bible of S&W's,

"On hand ejectors through the late 1950's, the serial number is stamped on the frame, barrel flat, cylinder face, yoke (crane), behind the extractor star, and right grip panel, in addition to one on the butt."

So about the time that model numbers came into use, the serial numbers disappeared from most locations except the butt. But I think they started being stamped in the crane again but I am not sure when.

With the US stamping and the "P", I think this should be lettered to see if it really was a military gun. SCSW mentions that some Model 10-5s were marked in this way so it may just be possible that yours was one of these guns.

 

[XavierBreath]

I own Model 10-5 number C794XXX. It has no barrel or cylinder serial number, nor do other C serialed Model 10s. On the C serial and subsequent Model 10's the serial number is on the butt of the gun only.

The US stamp and P proof are absent on my gun, and may make your's an interesting example. I agree, a Jinks letter may be of interest.

 

[digi-shots]

Thanks for the tips!

Xavier... does your model 10-5, C794,xxx have the s/n on the back of the
extractor star & under the grips?

I'm glad to hear that the s/n is not supposed to be on the barrel or cylinder
head... I was starting to wonder why mine was missing.

I've got a letter & check ready to go into tomorrow's mail to Mr. Jinks,
along with some photos.

 

[XavierBreath]

The inside of the right grip is stamped with the serial minus the C prefix. There is no serial on the extractor star.

Best regards,
XB

 

[SaxonPig]

The butt is the only place you can count on finding the serial on a post-1957 S&W.

 

[digi-shots]

I guess the early/mid 1960's might have been a transitional time...

Mine has the serial number stamped not just on the r/h grip stock but also
behind the extractor star. It's hard to see, but if push on the extractor and hold the star at a certain angle, you can see the full 6 digit number.

Looks like later C prefix numbers were not stamped this way.