Old S&W M&P...New to me.

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Big B

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So here it is. The very revolver that brought me to this great forum. After doing some research for my Wife's Grandpa, he decided to try and sell his old Pre model 10 M&P. (The very gun that made me want an S&W) After a couple months of sitting on the dealers shelf, He reconsidered, and before I could get the cash to go buy it, he gave it to me for the low price of a couple of odd jobs.:D It turns out that when we got to the shop, another guy was supposed to come in that day to pay for it. Talk about in the nick of time.
It looks like it saw no more than a few rounds back in '46-'48 (when It was new), and has sat untouched for about 60 years. It cleaned up very well and is in good mech. shape, but it;s not NIB or Safe Queen status. It's pinned, but not recessed. A pretty good shot too. And It's still in the family.:)
Hopefully my Wife will like it and come to the range more often.:evil:
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Here it is hanging out mith my 28-2 Highway Patrolman
 
Great

Looks like a fine older revolver. I have one with a 5" bbl. of about the same age. S&W only recessed (counter bored) the .22 cal. rimfires and the magnum calibers. I enjoy shooting my old 5" M&P.:D
 
Post the serial number (stamped on the butt) using xx for the last two numbers, and check to see if the letter "S" preceeds the number.

It would appear that you have an early post-war/pre model 10 Military and Police .38 - with the pre-war "long action".

These are prized by both shooters and collectors because they are unique in that they off the best of S&W's pre-war design and workmanship, combined with a post-war hammer block safety which allows them to be safely carried with all of the chambers loaded.
 
Thank you. The s/n is S9607xx. As far as I know the gunsmith/dealer had it posted for $350. That seems kind of low considering that my 28-2 was listed for almost double that and wasn't in as great of shape. The trigger on this M&P feels smooth, and I don't think that it's really been broken in yet.

While we're talking about collectible Smiths, Does anyone know of any special Model 29s or pre 29s to look out for? Thanks
 
That pre 10 looks pristine to me. A few years ago you could find them for 200-250 bucks today they are 300-350. S&W made a zillion of them. The fact that your wife's dad bought it new should make it more valuable to you.
 
S&W made a zillion of them.
Click to expand...

True, but it's important to understand that they didn't make all of them equal. While most are common, others are scarce or even rare. Knowing the difference can mean bucks in your pocket, or taking a big loss.

The revolver in question is a scarce variant. A relative few were made after World War Two, as the company used up some pre-war and war time parts. Collectors refer to it as a “transitional,” within the pre-model 10 category. Both knowledgeable shooters and collectors keep an eye out for them, especially if they are all original and in excellent or better shape. As most were sold to law enforcement agencies back around 1946-48, few are found in this condition.

The "long action" I mentioned before was renowned for having an especially smooth double-action trigger pull, that has never been equaled since. In addition, because of the hammer’s long throw, spring tensions can be lightened a little without affecting reliability. Put bluntly, they don’t come any better.
 
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If most are like the one I have, you have an excellent revolver. Excellent trigger, DA or SA. If you do your part, excellent accuracy. I learned to shoot handguns on the one below about 50 years ago. My Dad purchased it used in the early '30's. As far as I'm concerned, it is the best handgun I own. I may have better, but this one's my favorite. I'm not worried about the price. I hope my son enjoys it as much as I have.

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I plan to "ruin" the value by sending it to S&W for a refinish.
 
I have a 4" pinned barrel, square butt, factory nickel model 10-5 with
S/N C737xxx, that dates back to being manufactuered between 1963
and 1965. It has a mirror finish, and shows signs of very little use~! :cool:
It too, has the walnut grips, with the diamond cut. ;)
 
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