SMITH & WESSON .38 MILITARY & POLICE (POST WAR) “PRE-MODEL 10” Description
.38 S&W Special cal., double action revolver built on the square butt K 5 screw frame. Mfg. circa 1946-1957.
This model is a continuation of the previous model without the V serial prefix or the lanyard ring. S serial prefix postwar guns began as early as Dec. 27, 1944 at around s/n S769000. Postwar production frames will also have the four address lines of "Made In U.S.A., Marcas Registradas, Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass." on the right side. C serial prefix began on March 22, 1948 starting over at C-1, and was also numbered concurrently with the M&P Airweights and the M&P .22 or pre-Model 45. Available in 2, 4, 5, or 6 in. round pinned barrel lengths with a 1/10 inch fixed round blade front sight and a square notch rear sight (later changed to 1/8 in.). Available in blue or nickel finish. Serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder face, barrel flat, yoke face (viewed through a charge hole), the rear of the star extractor, and on the right grip panel. The round butt frame variation became available in late 1947. The 2 in. variation will have "Smith & Wesson" and the caliber marking on the left side of the barrel. Weight is 29.5 oz for a 4 in. version. Became the Model 10 in 1957.