S&W pre 10

[Gork10]

Just picked this up from my Friendly neighbor FFL today. Pre model 10. I'm thinking mid to late 30's serial number is 862xxx. If anyone has a better dates I'd love to know. Lockup is tight. Smooth action. And has most of its original finish on it. I'm liking it. Found it on GunBroker. Got it for what I consider cheap.

 

[Gork10]

Just checked. The grips have the same serial number.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

It is a bit difficult to come up with an exact year for your 38 Military and Police Model of 1905, 4th Change, because the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson lists a huge block of serial numbers for that model. Starting with 241,704 in 1915 through 1,000,000 in 1942.

The 38 M&P at the top of this photo is SN 6699XX and it shipped in 1938.

This round butt 38 M&P, SN 6731XX, shipped in 1939.

As you can see, S&W did not always ship revolvers in the order they were made.

Still, I would hazard a guess that your 38 M&P, SN 862xxx, shipped some time in the 1940s.

I just posted your question on the Smith and Wesson Forum.

Let's see if I get an answer.

 

[Gork10]

Howdy

It is a bit difficult to come up with an exact year for your 38 Military and Police Model of 1905, 4th Change, because the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson lists a huge block of serial numbers for that model. Starting with 241,704 in 1915 through 1,000,000 in 1942.

The 38 M&P at the top of this photo is SN 6699XX and it shipped in 1938.

This round butt 38 M&P, SN 6731XX, shipped in 1939.

As you can see, S&W did not always ship revolvers in the order they were made.

Still, I would hazard a guess that your 38 M&P, SN 862xxx, shipped some time in the 1940s.

I just posted your question on the Smith and Wesson Forum.

Let's see if I get an answer.

There is a s prefix I missed in the he serial number. According to the guys over at the s&w forum it dates to April 48. Still a nice clean revolver. Can't wait to get it to the range. By the way, nice collection

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

What is the prefix, so I can correct my question?

 

[Gork10]

By bad. I thought I posted it. It'san s prefect.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

According to SCSW, 38 Special M&P Postwar and Models 10, 11, 12, 45, and Aircrewman Serial Numbers for 1945-1948 were S811338 through S999999.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Very nice!

 

[Pat Riot]

Green with envy here.

 

[Armored farmer]

Yea.
Nice M&P
Vintage indeed

 

[tubeshooter]

Yes very nice and yes, vintage indeed...

I'm actually glad to see it looks to be late '40s rather than late '30s from a metallurgical and shooter standpoint. Congratulations, great pickup! I'd load it rather gentle either way...

 

[Gork10]

Yes very nice and yes, vintage indeed...

I'm actually glad to see it looks to be late '40s rather than late '30s from a metallurgical and shooter standpoint. Congratulations, great pickup! I'd load it rather gentle either way...

About all I load and shoot on my 38's is 147 WC's and 158 grain lswc 's.

 

[amd6547]

My Pre-Model 10 dates from just before they started using the Model 10 stamp, about 1958.
I‘ve said it before… If the only handgun I owned was my 4” Pre-Model 10, I’d still feel well armed.

 

[Gork10]

My Pre-Model 10 dates from just before they started using the Model 10 stamp, about 1958.
I‘ve said it before… If the only handgun I owned was my 4” Pre-Model 10, I’d still feel well armed.

100% agree.

 

[Armored farmer]

We think this is a 1920s HE

 

[Mark_Mark]

I like the finish on those M&P, has a light dull blue.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The more you guys show off the old model 10 and pre 10's, the more I want one.

I don't know what it is about them, I guess it's the same as the allure of my 32 S&W long when I bought it. A gun that's actually made for the caliber I'm shooting out of it. I don't like scrubbing out crud rings, and I like the guns from the by-gone days.
Got to get me one.!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

You need to get some Renaissance wax on that thing. It makes them look new again and fingerprints don't stick them very well.

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[Gork10]

View attachment 1222758
You need to get some Renaissance wax on that thing. It makes them look new again and fingerprints don't stick them very well.

renaissance wax - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

Take care of that last nite sitting around a camp fire.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't have but one, and I don't shoot it a lot, but enjoy it when I do.

It's from 1954 according to the S/N. I've been told it's possibly an old NYPD gun. It certainly looks like it's "seen the elephant". It's got dings and scratches, some rust spots here and there, but the action is tight, and smooth. There is a number stamped on the grip frame. A NYPD badge number? No idea. It's a 5 digit number, and I can't think of many police agencies other than NYPD that would have had 5 digit badge numbers in the mid 50's. On the other hand, the SS number on the grip was issued in North Carolina. Speaking of the grips, they're aftermarket, but well worn and fit my hand well. Something I can't say for factory Magna grips.

It would be interesting to know where this old girl has traveled in the 70 years or so since she left the Mothership. A letter wouldn't tell me much, so I won't bother with it. It's more fun to speculate. I take it at night and just wipe it down, turn it over in my hands, maybe dry fire it a time or two, and listen for it to tell me it's stories.

As Skeeter Skelton would have said "She'll do to ride the river with."