Model 10 shooter

[DC Plumber]

Hey folks,

I picked up an old Smith and Wesson model 10, primarily to be the gun to use to teach my 9 year old on how to shoot, and for him to call "his own".

I don't want him making a handling mistake and doing permanent damage to one of my good guns.

It's an old one, serial number is 814xx. Anyone have an idea as to year of manufacture?

My other question is, it looks like someone used a paint brush to put some kind of finish on it.

Since it's pretty rough, we might try our hand at stripping it and refinishing it. can only one suggest a good do it yourself product to put a new finish on it?

I paid very little for it, but t came with new Hogue monogrips, so a good starter revolver it will make, plus his first revolver is a Smith.

Thank you in advance.

 

[rcmodel]

Was it me??
And you don't want to pay to have it professionally re-blued?

I would totally strip off the paint with a wire carding wheel mounted on a grinder, and/or 0000 steel wool & oil.

It will look & function better as an old Grey Rat then with some goofy painted finish on it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=633232&highlight=1890

Your boy could help do it, and that will add to his pride in calling it his own.

rc

 

[DC Plumber]

Hey RC,

That old 22 turned pretty nice. I think that's a great idea, especially the part about it being his project. He's that kind of boy. Excellent, I'll be sure to post before and after pics.

 

[DC Plumber]

RC, any idea for date of manufacture?

 

[rcmodel]

Assuming there is no letter prefix in the serial number?
And it doesn't say Model 10 inside the crane cut in the frame??

It isn't a Model 10.
It is a very early Hand Ejector M&P dating to about 1906-1909.

That being the case?

1. No +P ammo.

2. And no carrying it fully loaded with 6 rounds, as it doesn't have the positive hammer block drop-safety that became standard on all S&W's after WWII.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't want him making a handling mistake and doing permanent damage to one of my good guns.

It's an old one, serial number is 814xx. Anyone have an idea as to year of manufacture?

Take another look at where the serial number is and see if there's a K there too. It's sometimes on the other side of the bottom of the grip but it should be there. If not and there is no letter pay attention to what RC said above.

If the number is K 814xx your S&W M&P was shipped in 1949. I have one that dates to 1948 and I'm telling you, you are going to be surprised at how accurate that revolver is. If you're worried your son will damage the revolver I would worry about that revolver too because it can be considered one of the good ones too.

 

[rcmodel]

An M&P or Model 10 would not have a K in the serial number.

That was reserved for the adjustable sight models.

It could have a C, or D prefix, but unless it has adjustable sights, it will not have a K.

And if it has adjustable sights, it is neither a M&P, or a Model 10.

rc

 

[BCRider]

I'm with RC in that I'd rather have a "well traveled" Grey Rat gun than something slathered with barbeque paint.

If you get it stripped down and it turns out to be a rust pitted mess then consider degreasing the metal and filling the pitting with a good epoxy then use a proper gun coating.

An airbrush is best but with some testing and suitably thinned product along with a nice sable hair artist's brush the results can often be quite surprising. The key is to apply it thin enough but with good coverage so that it settles and lays before going tacky.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

An M&P or Model 10 would not have a K in the serial number.

That was reserved for the adjustable sight models.

It could have a C, or D prefix, but unless it has adjustable sights, it will not have a K.

And if it has adjustable sights, it is neither a M&P, or a Model 10.

rc

My mistake rc, thanks for the info...

Sorry DC Plumber, I should have taken mine out and looked at the serial number before I posted.

 

[DC Plumber]

Ooo, this is getting interesting.

I only assume it is a model 10, which is what the seller hold me.

I am going to get you guys some pictures. It is a 4" gun with adjustable sights, and a 6 round cylinder.

I'm just learning my iPad, so give me until later to get a good photo posted.

Thanks a ton guys

 

[DC Plumber]

Ok, we'll I can't post pictures for some reason, so I'll start a new post.

 

[Hondo 60]

Since it has adjustable sights it's definitely NOT a model 10.

Here's a 1966-67 Model 10.

 

[CajunBass]

And here's my 1955 Military and Police, 38.



If it's got adjustable sights, it's definately not a M-10/M&P.