S&W Mod 10 date???

[44fred]

My grandfather gave me a couple of hand guns when I was 18, 37 years ago.
I've let my father use the Model 10 for a defense gun pretty much all this time. He just gave it back to me and I was a little curious of the serial number 2408XX. Don't want to spend $50 for the letter, just want to know production date. I was told it was my great uncles duty weapon who was a LEO in Los Angeles. As you all know stories get embellished over the years so who knows.
I know this was before Smith put model numbers on the mod. 10. Gun is in very good shape for being wrapped in a paper towel in my Fathers desk the last 30+ years.
In 1980 my father had to shoot a man that broke into their house with this same gun. Scary story.

[44fred]

Sorry, forgot protocol.

[Bill Steele]

Just guessing here, sometime in the mid-1930's?

I think it was called the 38 M&P model of the 1905.

[Fishslayer]

My SCSW shows that serial # for a .38 Special Hand Ejector M & P as between 1909 & 1915.

No prefix on the SN?

[44fred]

Correct no prefix.

[trigger945]

As Fishslayer said, 1909 - 1915 if it is indeed a .38 Special Hand Ejector M&P model.

I think that is the closest model to your revolver.

[trigger945]

I lookes for other .38 special revolvers that may come close without a prefix and I could not find any.

Btw, my reference is also the SCSW 3rd Edition

[ontmark]

Beautiful piece there.
Please kid it in the Family Forever!!

[44fred]

Sorry guys if I didn't give the right information.
It does say 38 S&W special, if that makes a difference. I know the cartridges are all the same but may make a big difference on dating this thing.

[Fishslayer]

Sorry guys if I didn't give the right information.
It does say 38 S&W special, if that makes a difference. I know the cartridges are all the same but may make a big difference on dating this thing.

The cartridge itself was introduced in 1898. The photo of a pre-Model 10 in the catalog looks like your revolver.

The finish on that thing is beautiful considering it's age & that it was a cop's service weapon. Cop guns tend to look kinda rough.

[44fred]

Thank you all so much. My ipad camera doesn't pick up all the imperfections but it is in very good shape for it age. Don't really think it's been handled much since it's service work.
I pulled the cover plate and was amazed, it looks new. What a complex array of hand fitted parts, it looks like a watch inside. I don't know enough about this gun to completely break it down.
Thanks again, Fred

[44fred]

Just discovered the trigger return spring was updated in 1915. This is what mine looks like under the plate.