lil ski
Member
I picked up a Model 10 last night and was wondering if any one could help me find out when it was mfg. it has a 5 dig serial number 97XXX. It is in great shape I don't think it was fired much. Thanks
Model 10
- Thread starter lil ski
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If it's actually a Model 10 the serial should have a letter prefix, like a C (1948-1967) or a D (or 1D, 2D etc. 1967-1981). Starting in 1982 S&W went to the three digit serial prefix beginning with AAA. The guns made right after the war had an S prefix (1946-48).
If the number you posted is from the butt and is the complete and correct serial (which I doubt) then it's not a Model 10, but a very early (like 1910-1915) Military & Police.
If the number is from the frame under the cylinder crane it isn't necessarily the serial. Look on the butt for the serial. The model numbers were assigned in 1957 and the frame under the crane should be stamped MOD 10 if it's a post-1957 gun.
If the number you posted is from the butt and is the complete and correct serial (which I doubt) then it's not a Model 10, but a very early (like 1910-1915) Military & Police.
If the number is from the frame under the cylinder crane it isn't necessarily the serial. Look on the butt for the serial. The model numbers were assigned in 1957 and the frame under the crane should be stamped MOD 10 if it's a post-1957 gun.
lil ski
Member
I'm not sure the gun is at home. I thought about it this morning on the way out of the house and I just wrote down the serial number from the paper work they filled out when I bought it. The thing that made me wonder on the age is the serial number is only 5 dig long and there is a & sign in Smith & Wesson not the word and.
Deanimator
Member
No Model 10s before 1957. That's when S&W adopted model numbers for its guns. Before '57, it's an M&P.
The easy way to see whether it's a Model 10 is to open the cylinder and look at the crane, where it swings out. If it's an M&P, it'll just have the serial number. If it's a Model 10, it'll have the model number and the serial number, and probably a "dash" number after "10", "10-5" for example. The "dash" number indicates a significant engineering change, such as the switch away from pinned barrels and recessed chambers between the Model 29-2 and Model 29-3 .44 Magnums.
Deanimator
Member
Kind of, but a little confusing where you cite serial number ranges that a real Model 10 can't have.
lil ski
Member
ok I looked and it has the letter C in front of it
Deanimator- I don't see what I said as confusing at all. I said the C prefix was used 1948-67 and Model 10s are found with this prefix as are the D series. I mentioned the S serial prefix seperately and stated it was used 1946-48 after saying that the model numbers started in 1957 so I don't see how this was unclear.
Sorry if you were confused.
Sorry if you were confused.
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