looking for info on s&w 10

[graveyard shift]

im looking for any info on a s&w 38 special U.S.service ctg,s nickle plated 6 1/2 in barrel 3 matching #'s 1under barrel,1 back of cylinder and 1 on the botton of the round grip frame. sn#(268xx). half moon front sight aprox 10mm long a small v noch for a back sight.4 screws on the frame.one s&w logo on the right side of the frame.pat'd dates range from april 9/1889-december 17-1901 on the top of the barrel. possible s&w model 10 ? thanks for any info given..

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, kind'a sort'a.
It is a Military and Police Second Model made in 1902 or maybe 1903.
It is not a model 10 because S&W did not assign model numbers until 1957.
So a lot of people now would call it a "pre-model 10" instead of spelling out "Military and Police."

Question: Are the hammer and trigger nickel plated or are they case hardened? S&W did not nickel plate the hammer and trigger at the factory. If they are plated, it is an aftermarket job which greatly reduces collector interest and resale value.

 

[graveyard shift]

They are case hardened and it may be a crome instead of nickle kind of hard to tell .its about 95%the only marks are at the end of the muzzle . This is only the second hand gun i have ever owned.

 

[graveyard shift]

I did find out the gun was a gift to a navel officer whom and what year is unknown.i will be sending off for the history through s&w web sight .

 

[Jim Watson]

Case hardened small parts is good, and is a sign that the nickel finish may well be factory. Nobody plated guns with chrome at that time. Good luck on your factory letter, Mr Jinks will tell you everything that the company records show.