I have a S&W .38 Military & Police revolver, blue finish, Model 10-5, 4" barrel, square butt. Belonged to my grandfather, anyone know approx. when this revolver was made. Thanks!

Edited to add: Guess the first few from the S/N might help.....

S/N: C79XXXX

An acquaintance has a Model 10 with serial number C811XXX.   It left the factory in late 1965.   If they shipped sequentially, (which they sometimes don’t), yours should have left a little before that.
I hope this helps.

Quoted:I have a S&W .38 Military & Police revolver, blue finish, Model 10-5, 4" barrel, square butt. Belonged to my grandfather, anyone know approx. when this revolver was made. Thanks! Edited to add: Guess the first few from the S/N might help..... S/N: C79XXXX

According to Pistols of the World, 3rd ed.:

"About 20,000 M&P revolvers were made to the original pattern, replaced in 1902 by the Second Model.  This had an additional cylinder lock on the front of the frame and improved lockwork. The third variation - known as the Model of 1905 - was subjected to four minor sets of changes, the last appearing in 1915, but its design then remained static until production was stopped in 1942.  About 700,000 were made.  Hard rubber grips on a slightly rounded butt were standard, though target models had checkered walnut grips on a square butt."

Quoted: I have a S&W .38 Military & Police revolver, blue finish, Model 10-5, 4" barrel, square butt. Belonged to my grandfather, anyone know approx. when this revolver was made. Thanks! Edited to add: Guess the first few from the S/N might help..... S/N: C79XXXX

If the model number is stamped on the frame (you can see it when you open the cylinder), it's 1957 or later.  Since you have the fifth engineering change, I'd guess sometime between 1980 and now, but it's just a guess.  If the barrel is pinned and the cylinder recessed for cartridge rims, it's 1980 or earlier.

-hanko

Quoted: Quoted: I have a S&W .38 Military & Police revolver, blue finish, Model 10-5, 4" barrel, square butt. Belonged to my grandfather, anyone know approx. when this revolver was made. Thanks! Edited to add: Guess the first few from the S/N might help..... S/N: C79XXXX If the model number is stamped on the frame (you can see it when you open the cylinder), it's 1957 or later.  Since you have the fifth engineering change, I'd guess sometime between 1980 and now, but it's just a guess.  If the barrel is pinned and the cylinder recessed for cartridge rims, it's 1980 or earlier. -hanko

1) Model # is stamped on the frame.
2) Barrel has a small pin where it mounts to the frame.
3) Cylinder is not recessed for rims.

Does this help narrow down the date any?

Thanks!

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson lists the 10-5 being mfg. in 1962,but the serial # is listed as 63-65.S&W didn't waste anything so its possible that the frame had the model stamped at one point & the serial # later.You can call S&W and talk to Roy Jinks.He could probably tell you the shipping Date.It might be a pistol that had relatively few mfg.According to the book,10-5 change f.sight from 1/10 in. to 1/8 in. 10-6 eliminate trigger guard screw on heavy barrel model.Chuck R.

Thanks guys for all the help!