Cribbing a feature from Colt’s earlier Model of 1889, the gun featured a cylinder release mounted on the left side of the frame, a six round capacity and double-action operation. Army and Navy for a new centerfire revolver sidearm to be chambered in the then standard. The genesis of the Model 10 was in the year of 1899, designed and produced by Smith & Wesson to fulfill a contract request from the U.S. In this article we’ll take a look at the life, times and legacy of this classic sixgun, and hopefully you’ll come away with more appreciation and understanding of its influence. Indeed, even if you have never seen or handled a genuine, vintage Model 10, you have still been touched by its legacy that lives on in even the newest Smith and Wesson revolvers.
Serving in almost every major war and innumerable smaller dust-ups, regime changes, police actions and civil conflicts, the Model 10 is a handgun that any serious shooter should be familiar with. 38 Hand Ejector Model and Military & Police (a livery recently resuscitated by Smith & Wesson for their excellent striker-fired semi-automatic pistols), the Model 10 is one of the most numerous and beloved fighting handguns ever, with a reputation that few others can ever hope to match. Known by other monikers at different times in its long production, including the. It has been produced nearly continuously from 1899 to today. That revolver is the legendary Smith and Wesson Model 10, progenitor of the iconic and loved K-frame, and ancestor of all its descendants. One that codified both performance and design for over a century to follow. Hogg & J.For any wheelgun aficionado, especially an admirer of Smith & Wesson’s, there is one revolver that blazed the path for millions of others. Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, I.V. Smith & Wesson M&P Victory Model c.1942 ( source)Ĭurrently produced Smith & Wesson Model 10 ( source)
The Model 10 and 64 continue to be produced by Smith & Wesson and both are offered in a 4-inch barrel configuration. In 1970 Smith & Wesson launched the Model 64 which was in essence a Model 10 in stainless steel. The 4-inch barrel Model 10 were predominantly issued as primary side arms while the smaller 2-inch barrel ‘snub nose’ revolvers made excellent backup guns. The Model 10 and other Smith & Wesson revolvers, were the most popular police pistol not just in the US but around the world with British, Irish, Austrian, Burmese, Canadian and many other countries police forces using them. Smith & Wesson Model 10 with a 2-inch ‘snub nose’ barrel ( source)Īfter the end of the Second World War the the Model 10 came to dominate the police pistol market. 38 Smith & Wesson No.2 (.38/200) it remained in use into the 1950s. 380 service round and designated the Pistol, Revolver. The British revolvers were chambered to fire the standard. Nearly one million revolvers were given to Allied nations including Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada through the Lend-Lease program. 38 Special chambered revolvers were primarily issued to US Aircrews and military police. It was issued to US troops during both World Wars with a Victory Model being produced between early 19. The revolver was widely adopted by American police forces between 19.
#Smith and wesson model 10 3 inch barrel series#
The Model 10 went through a series of improvements between 19 with work on the grips, sights, lock work and the addition of an underlug beneath the barrel that engaged with the previously free-standing ejector rod - a feature not found on the Colt M1892. 38 Long Colt cartridge chambered in the earlier Smith & Wesson M1896 & M1899s and the Colt M1892 was underpowered. 38 S&W Special which was developed in response to the military’s reports that the standard. It can be fired either double or single action and was initially chambered in. The Model 10 has a six-round cylinder with barrel lengths ranging from two to six inches long. Since then it has had half a dozen different designations including Smith & Wesson Military & Police (originating the line of guns still offered today by Smith & Wesson), the Smith & Wesson Victory Model and when in service with the British Army the Smith & Wesson No.2 Revolver.
The Smith & Wesson Model 10 has been in production since 1899 when it was introduced as the Smith & Wesson.