Double Action Revolver
This Thursday Day at the Range continues our double action revolver action, this time with a pre-WWII square-butt S&W Military and Police, fourth change. With a serial number in the 550,000 range. it likely dates to the late ’20s or early ’30s. This is one of those guns that has seen a lot of outside wear and abuse, but hasn’t been shot very much. The action is as smooth as silk, just as would be expected from a classic “Model 10.” The counterpoint to that sweet trigger is, of course, the vestigial sights.
It should be no surprise that I’m a dyed-in-the-wool 1911 guy; but classic Smiths, particularly K frames, really speak to me. I’ve had a few pre-WWII examples, but at the moment this is the only one in my collection. Regular readers of these reports may recall the heavy-barreled 4″ Model 10 I reviewed a while back. That .38 is a Cleveland, OH police revolver. This one is also from Cleveland, but not the PD. This one was the property of the Cleveland Trust Company, at one time the preeminent bank in the area. Thus, in a bit of serendipity we have a “matched pair” on the side of law and order: policeman and bank guard.
The “long” double action of this pre-war Smith is a pure delight. Smooth as…well, you pick the simile. These pre-war Smiths fully deserve their reputation.
Stoked with 158-grain round nose flat points and firing double-action, the usual protocol applies: seven yards, unsupported standing Weaver, best of five, five-shot groups. I’m not unhappy with the results. I’ve included a picture of the last time I reported on this M&P, shooting single action. I’m certain you’ll be able to tell which is which.
The third picture, by the way, has this caption:
“Female workers practice protecting the main vault of the strong room at the Cleveland Trust Company, Ohio, 1924.” Source: @kayonyxlulu #albumcover.
It’s not inconceivable that this revolver is in that picture. I’ll have to letter it to see when it was shipped.
NOTE: I replaced the teeny factory grips with Pachmayr’s successors to the Mershon Imperials on the Cleveland PD Model 10 in order to bring the two Smiths closer in feel and appearance.
BY WALTER JULIUS KULECK
