1948 Smith & Wesson Military & Police (Model 10) 4" Square .38 Spl

I wanted a classic revolver in .38 Spl for cheaper ammo, and something I could throw around the farm without worrying about it. However, the one that I ended up getting is in really good condition.

• Early C prefix .38 M&P.
• Informally classified as "Pre-Model 10" and/or "Post-War M&P" - Nearly identical to Model 10 but before the "Model 10" designation.
• Has short action "speed hammer".
• Has original post-war diamond Magna stocks with sharp/non-rounded shoulders.
• Has one-line address.
• Likely original finish?
• Measured length: 9 1/8"

Case is not original. Is is a generic S&W Pistol Hard Case.

• S&W Pistol Hard Case

Serial info from smith-wessonforum.com thread

https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/m-p-pre-model-10-4-digit-c-serial-march-1948.728838/ (archive)

"The closest number for which I have a confirmed ship date is C7827. That one shipped in June, 1948."

"There are a couple noteworthy factors with your revolver. One is the one line address on the frame - Made in U.S.A. Shortly after your unit was assembled, S&W went to the four line address, including the Marcas Registradas line. Another is the sharp shoulder on the Magna stocks. That lasted only until sometime in 1952."

"Overall this revolver appears to be in excellent condition and is certainly in collectible condition"

Model 10 info from smith-wessonforum.com thread

https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/pre-model-10-number-range.526149/ (archive)

"the majority sentiment that the "pre-Model 10" group begins with the advent of the "High Speed" hammer in the spring of 1948, and ends with the appearance of model marked guns in 1958."

"all C prefix revolvers that are not model marked [are "Pre-Model 10"], since all of them had the short action."

"Most collectors consider the pre-Model 10 as starting with the switch to the short action in 1948"

"it makes sense to limit the term [Pre-Model 10] to those M&P's which in all essential engineering features (disregarding minor cosmetics like ramped front sight and top sideplate screw) are Model 10's in all but the number"

"the short action high speed hammer, as first incorporated in April 1948 manufacture"

Serial C info from smith-wessonforum.com thread

https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/c-prefix-serial.632995/ (archive)

"When that hammer was introduced on the .38 M&P revolver in 1948 it was called the "high speed hammer" by S&W. It is a short throw action"

"The C prefix was used on M&Ps from 48 to 67 when they reached C999999 and rolled over to D1."

"that style of hammer was used 48 to around 56 or 57"

"Book says 1948-1951 numbers were C1-C223998"

"numbers C1 through about C44,000 left the factory in 1948."

High Speed Hammer info from smithandwessonforums.com thread

https://www.smithandwessonforums.com/threads/need-help-identifying-what-a-believe-is-a-pre-model-10.221458/?post_id=2532672&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-2532672 (archive)

"The tell [of a high speed hammer] is the little notch on the hammer. ... That little notch just below the hammer spur; right above the "T" on Trade Mark in the S&W logo."

Specs from Smith & Wesson Catalog 1950

Model	.38 SPECIAL CALIBER MILITARY AND POLICE SQUARE BUTT
Blued finish	$62.00
Nickel finish	$68.00
CALIBER	.38 S & W Special
NUMBER OF SHOTS	6
BARREL	2, 4, 5, or 6 inches
LENGTH	With 6-inch barrel, 11 1/8 inches
WEIGHT	With 6-inch barrel, 31 ounces
SIGHTS	Fixed, 1/10-inch service type front; square notch rear
STOCKS	Checkered walnut with S & W Monograms. Magna type
FINISH	S & W Blue or Nickel

Overview from Smith & Wesson Catalog 1950

Over 3,000,000 Made to Date ... the Smith & Wesson Military and Police Revolver has stood as the criterion of quality in service arms for over a quarter of a century. Its extreme accuracy and rugged dependability have made it the choice of top-ranking police departments everywhere.

Made throughout from drop forgings, with chrome-nickel steel, heat-treated cylinder, ground and polished lock-work parts, hammer and trigger case-hardened to give glass-hard wearing surfaces. It has a fine full grip, beautifully tapered barrel and is finished in heavy nickel or Smith & Wesson's famous high-polished deep blue.

The perfect gun for municipal police and sheriffs. Incorporates all the famous features of design that make Smith Wesson revolvers the world's most reliable sidearms.

Markings

Barrel	38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG
	SMITH & WESSON
	C 7080
Frame	MADE IN U.S.A.
	{S&W trade mark}
	C 7080
Cylinder	C 7080
Crane	6 7
	5777
Grips	{S&W circle logo}

Receipts

Receipt (Chandler's Firearms): <redacted>

GunBroker seller ChesterfieldArmament (chesterfieldarms.com) Sept 22nd 2024 Order # 25842056
Product	SKU	Qty	Price	Total
Smith and Wesson S&W Pre-Model 10 .38 Special Revolver 4" bbl Item #: 1062575585	Kilmar4636	1	$595.00	$595.00
Subtotal				$595.00
Fees				$5.95
Shipping				$40.00
Tax				$40.06
Total				$681.01