M10 Front Sight

[Maj Dad]

Saw a Mod 10, 4" pencil barrel at the LGS, looked like the frame had been coated with some dark green something or other (a nice job), and the cylinder, trigger, hammer, and cylinder catch left blued. The front sight was the type with a cut sloping from the rear bottom to the top, not the old semi-circular blade. When was the change made from the old type to the slant type? I didn't ask to look at it as the guys were busy & I was piddling, but I'm thinking about going back to check it out - sticker price was $350. It's my M10 addiction resurfacing (just bought a cop trade in from Buds on Monday) - that makes 3...

 

[Old Fuff]

The sight change occurred during 1952 in the "C" prefix serial number range (1948 -1967). The model 10 designation started in 1957.

For a more accurate D.O.B. post the serial number - stamped on the bottom of the butt, with a letter prefix (C, D, or whatever).

 

[rcmodel]

Beware the dark green paint job!

It can hide a multitude of sins.
And create a few others on a revolver.

There are enough Model 10's out there you don't have to settle for someone else's $350 Frankingun.

rc

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The change from the old round front sight to the ramp front sight was made in 1952, during the production of the 38 M&P Post War revolvers. When the changeover to model names was made in 1957, and the M&P became the Model 10, the ramp front sight became standard.

The M&P at the top of this photo shipped in April of 1938. I believe the Model 10-5 at the bottom shipped around 1968.




Ooops, I see Old Fuff beat me to the punch.

 

[Twiki357]

I second what rcmodel said. Who knoes what's under that paint job.

 

[il.bill]

... and $350 will generally buy a pretty nice original Model 10, even at today's prices, if you have the time abd patience to look for a while.

 

[stu1ritter]

I always thought the slopping front sight was an option available over time as seen on many early guns.
Stu

 

[1911Tuner]

Love the pencil barrel Smiths.

Smith & Wesson didn't blue the hammers and triggers.

I agree with rc. That coating is very suspect.

 

[Maj Dad]

Thanks for the poop! I agree about the coating hiding something - I've been burned before. And the hammer & trigger were the original case colors, not blued - just the cylinder was. I bought one from Bud's for my daughter who has been using my M13 as a home defense gun, with 38 spl loads. This way I can get my really nice 13 home to me ;-) The frankengun looked at first like it was parkerized (the old green tinted finish on the old soldiers), but it was obvious when I looked closer. The Bud Gun will run me about $330, and will be be a pig in a poke, but the other police trades I have bought were all mechanically excellent and the finish the variable. Barring police use as a pry bar I think it will be o.k.

My old 5" pencil barrel S prefix is my most cherished Smith - we're the same age...

 

[Tortuga12]

Mine's a C prefix, but it's my favorite revolver:

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Mine's a C prefix, but it's my favorite revolver:

Late Post War M&P with a speed hammer. This snub nose shipped in March of 1950. SN C994XX. The grips are older, but they are what came on it.