Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: 10-6 Heavy Barrel, The .38 Military & Police

Serial Number: D664651

Year of Manufacture: 1974-1975 / C&R

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4", Pinned Heavy Barrel

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade forged to the solid rib on the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch milled into the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut magna stocks. The checkering is crisp with faint peak wear. A few of the checkers on the left grip are nicked away. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good condition as not original to the gun. There is no serial number inside the grips.

Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color hammer and trigger

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light fouling. There is no erosion. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. There is a turn line on the cylinder through the finish. There is finish loss on the leading edges, on the sides of the barrel. The action shows operational wear. There are scratches, scuffs, and nicks throughout. Some of the worn areas have introduced fine pitting. There is intermittent oxidation, concentrated under the grips on the frame. The case color is generally muted. The screwheads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up well on each chamber with light side-to-side play. The single-action trigger is crisp and the double action is smooth. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Smith & Wesson’s .38 Military & Police traces its lineage to 1899 and became one of the defining American service revolvers of the 20th century. Renamed the Model 10 when Smith & Wesson adopted numerical model designations in 1957, the fixed-sight K-frame was widely issued to law-enforcement agencies, security personnel, and military organizations. The 10-6 engineering variation was introduced for the heavy-barrel configuration which also eliminated the trigger guard screw, combining the M&P’s established double-action mechanism with improved forward weight and a serrated ramp front sight. Smith & Wesson estimated that by 1960, approximately 85% of the world’s law-enforcement officers carried a .38 M&P revolver.

This 1974 Model 10-6 is configured with the desirable 4" pinned heavy barrel, fixed service sights, walnut Magna stocks, and traditional blued finish with a case-colored hammer and trigger. It retains about 65% of its original finish, displaying substantial but honest service wear, scattered marks, localized oxidation, and fine pitting, while retaining clear markings, a bright 8/10 bore, and smooth, correctly functioning single- and double-action operation. Its condition suggests genuine working use rather than neglect, making it an appealing representative example of Smith & Wesson’s classic heavy-barrel service revolver.