Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Just bought a Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 10 two inch

I assume it's a Military and Police, fourth series, so probably made in the early 1940s, based on the serial number. Bueing is thin, but most is still there, and there are a few superficial rust spots here and there, but it appears functionally perfect. Bore is bright and shiny, rifling sharp. Cylinders are bright and shiny too, other than the dark area past where the cases go. Looking forward to shooting it. Paid $210 out the door for it, so not a huge investment for a nice gun with character that you can actually shoot and keep loaded for defense. Action is smooth as glass, and single action is your typical Smith & Wesson crisp light break. Serial number is S 9485XX. Anything you revolver experts can tell me about it?

They are fun ones to shoot. I have the same gun. Mine likes a 158 gr Semi-wadcutter over 3.5 grains of W-231. The Smith Book of mine calls it a pre-model 10, but you are correct that it is the basic Military and Police 4th model, just later production with the letter prefix. Good price and the 2 inch is the rarer of the M&P's Have fun with it. Ryan

Thanks, Bushwacker. Someone at another site told me that it's a "transitional" specimen, i.e., it has characteristics of previous models and later models. The grips are said to be unusual, and these are original factory grips, since the serial number of the gun is on the inside panel of one of them. Here's another picture of it next to an old photo of my grandfather and an old Case pocket knife.

Sweet! Congrats and enjoy!

The pre-model tens were like that. It has the half moon front sight and the Model 10 grips. Mine is the same way. I prefer the looks of the half moon versus the model 10's ramp sight. The magna style grips are also a bit beefer on these versus later models. They are a neat gun, I don't have the grip extender on mine, so it wants to point high, but I have shot mine twice now during side matches at the range and have done pretty well. You definately got it right at $210. Can't beat it for the money. I have to update my Smith Collection photo and then will attach one. I started out with a Smith 1917 and now I got a safe full of them. They are addicting and all of them are shooters.

I agree with you on that. That is one thing that attracted me to this gun when I saw it. I also knew the two inch barrel M&Ps were somewhat rare, which the seller didn't seem to know, so I didn't say anything.Yes, I agree. I've always like the Smith & Wesson revolvers. I have quite a few, but not many old ones like this. I have a Model 29, 57, 60, 586, 15, and the new retro N-Frame in .45 ACP, not to mention a couple of the Mountain Guns and a couple of the Titanium revolvers. This M & P is the only classic Smith & Wesson I have though, i.e., one that was made before I was born. The others were picked up while in current production over the years.

TRH,

Sweet revolver. According to the ol' Standard Catalog, the M&P serial number range for the "S" prefix:

September 1945 - S 811120 to "about" S 990184 in 1948. The prefix change to a "C" when the "short-throw" hammer was introduced.

Very cool gun!!

Simply sweet!

Dan

Very nice revolver, you just cannot beat the old time S&W actions, period.

Nice older revolver. Hope you get a lot of lead thru it. Les

Once you buy one, you have to have them all!!!!!


Twin to yours.

Crap Bushwacker, that just gives my wife to many choices to do me in. I can't have that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> les

As long as you are only one with the combo to the vault, she aint got the chance. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh, that sthe problem, no vault.............yet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Les

Bushwacker, that's an impressive collection you have there. Do I detect the new Thunder Ranch Model 22 in the mix of old S&Ws? I'm surprised you haven't yet switched out the stock for something more period correct like I have. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Les;

With your wife, I'd hope she;d use the gun on me, instead of what she's trained to do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Too true buddy, too true. Some of that crap she deals with scares the hell outta me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Les

Hawkeye: I kinda liked those grips on the new Thunder ranch. I picked up one of each, one has rosewoods on it. Not all my stuff has to be vintage, just most of it. Several of the Smiths I was able to buy off retired Law Enforcement officers, including both of my Chiefs Specials. I will give up condition to get a good story with it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The Military and Polices were fun to collect too, because for the most part if you wait long enough you can get them for around $200 to $250. Makes for some cheap shooting and like I said they are all shooters, haven't come up with a dud yet.

Nimrod; the kid necessitated a couple good safes, at least thats the excuse I gave when I asked for them. Is it bad when your favorite gunshops call you at home to tell you about something they think you would like?

I have one that does that here. Not a bad shop at all. Les