From the Vault: Smith & Wesson K-Frame (Pre-War) 

Just inherited my great uncle’s pre model 10 he purchased brand new in November of 1927. Perfect condition with original box, sales receipt, and transfer paper. What a treasure.

Older Smiths are some of the finest firearms ever made.

I just discovered Brownells from the Vault, this is the way to make a gun video! Thanks for all yalls effort!

Gentlemen, thank you so much for this excellent video and for sharing your incredible expertise. I don’t have (and I’ve probably not shot or even handled) a pre-War Smith. I do treasure, however, my six-inch barrel, 1947, Model 14, (K Frame) Target Masterpiece, which shares much in common with its pre-War siblings. It is a joy to shoot and its potential accuracy is a GREAT deal better than I can attain. Even with 70+ year old eyes, I can fire groups I’m proud of with all sorts of major brand FMJ loads. The workers in Springfield who produced these masterpieces - and that’s doesn’t denote the marketing designation, but rather their quality, craftsmanship and artistry - are likely long gone, but their superb work is their enduring legacy.

The frame shape is gorgeous.

Excellent video from two great S&W Collectors, this includes S&W Historians. So when they share some S&W spec-data or juicy S&W history with us, you can take it to the bank. As much as they love their S&W Revolvers, both pre-war and post war production models, As a rookie cop in 1971, my 4-inch duty revolver, was the .38 Official Police. It was a post war production Colt Official Police. The precise fitting, the hand honed and hand fitted trigger action, and a factory blue finish that was present in every OP Model. In those years the Department were not as strict as in today's cop world. I retired from law enforcement in 2016, still carrying that same Colt .38 Revolver. As these two gentlemen here are well versed in everything S&W, I have been a student of Colt History, self taught, with much help from the good folks at the Colt Forum. S&W and Colt competed with each other for law enforcement contract guns. This competition was won by S&W in post war times. Part of the reason for Colt losing out was the "union" that organized in post war times. The prices of the Colt Guns, all models, started climbing, to off set union members money & benefit demands. So a contract for S&W Model 10's, same number comparison with the Colt line, be it the OP, the Detective Special,, and the Police Positive Special. with S&W's Model 10 and Model 36 snubby. That higher price tag that Colt had on their contract guns was much higher than the S&W Models. The S&W Model 10 would become the Heavyweight Champion in cop service revolvers! There is much more to the S&W versus Colt competition in post war times. In pre-war times, the Colt took center stage with law enforcement with their OP's, Police Positive Special, and Detective Special line-up. The cost of labor at Colt, after WW II, would ultimately lead to Colt's demise. Thank you so much gents for a great S&W video!

Outstanding! I really enjoyed that. Thank you.

I have an m&p in 38/200. Canadian military marked (military police) What a great trigger, accurate as heck. I love it.

My Dad was a young man in the 1930's and could only drool over a new S&W K22 at $38 list price. Most all of his $20 a week went to supporting his family. The depression was a bitch. I now own 3 Pre War K22's. Wish he was still around so I could gift him with one!

I love these old Smith and Wessons! An American classic!

great vid, thanks so much !!!! man I love the classic revolvers !!!

Thanks Guy’s Excellent Revolvers 😀😀😀👍🏼

I'm right with ya Steve I too am a smith and Wesson man at heart, I love there vintage revolvers, truly work of art in every piece

Thank you from another person who got into handguns in law enforcement with S&W

Just saw this video and recognized Tom, I was a freshman at Murray State College's Gunsmithing program and he was a sophomore lol small world 😊

Damn those are nice, thank you for showing them.

Great video, bought my first in 1982 (still own it too) and two more. Best revolvers IMO…

Love that 22!

Beautiful pistols, outstanding condition.

...I took the factory tour on 17 October 1996...still have the polishing stone they let us take as a souvenir...started in the forging station - ended up in the test firing station ass well as the Custom Shop...guy sounds like Gun Blue490...

My dad had a K-frame .22 very much like the.22 shown here. I shot this as the only pistol I had access to and I loved that gun. It shot great ... if I missed it was my fault. The only reason I don't have it in my collection is somehow my son has it in HIS collection! How did that happen?! I forgot to say... I love these "from the vault" videos! You bring out such cool old guns!

Very nice Smith's. Could you do an episode on the savage 99 in 250 savage? Very interested.

I love k frame have 2 circa 1982 pinned barrel 4 and 6 inch. Super doble/ single actions. Great video.

I have a model 1905 Target .32-20 made in 1926, love it.

...I recently bought a pre Model 10.. an M&P that started life as a Victory model with original 'diamond' grips....it was in consignment for $450.. I jumped on it!!!

...glad I found this - have my late dad's 5 screw K22...gotta research the SN...

I love those revolvers wish to get one

Some remember the old 1950's Superman black and white tv show The "faster than a speeding bullet" handgun shown is a S&W model 1905 in 32 cal.

One of my Favorites....the .38 Special with 4inch barrel. K Frame/ pre Model 10. I currently have a Victory Model but would like to find a blued civilian gun.

Carried Mod.10 M&P Government....MP CORP K-9.....Ft. Campbell..1977,started love for SW.

What do you think about the new Colt Cobra ?

Repetition is THEE best/only way to learn...like memorizing tines tables or practicing the piano...or tying your shoes...ir stripping a 1911

Great American art in iron.

My neighbor has a prewar Smith&Wesson 38 Special. Four digit serial number 4 screw cover. Chrome finish. Original grips silver logo. He asked me for information on the pistol.

I just got a model 1904 (matching numbers) but someone painted it. Literally painted it. I don’t know why. Anyway, I have got it cleaned up 90% but this last bit is a bit tricky. I also need a new tube for the hand ejector pin. Still, it will run again.

What about the model 24 3 44 special

I have A 32 rim fire tip up which was in the Civil War By the serial numbers so you miss spoke about the 32 not Being in the Civil War but good show guys

I believe I have a pre war K-22 but I'm not sure, mines in a blue box.

Good video. I got my hands on what we believe, is an unfired pre-war dating to the middle 20s. I bought it with the original box which was in rather poor shape. I wanted a plinker and ended up with a jewel. Now I don't want to fire it. Aside from some very light freckling and light drag marking, it's as new. I guess I'll find another for plinking.

This is a sickness. I'm totally enamoured with Smith revolvers. I know that some people specialize. An example would be J frame kit guns. I am not that disciplined. I just love 5 screw guns, but K frame revolvers. I have a representative of all the "Masterpiece" models, but not of each variant. Please, model episodes on Smith revolvers.

I believe i have a prewar 45

I have one with serial #947999 Could someone get me a date of manufacture? It was my grandfathers.

😁👍☕

There’s one thing I love about this video and one thing I don’t. But it’s not Brownells fault for what I don’t like. This is unfortunately (to the best of my knowledge) the only video on RU-vid with a Military and Police 38 Target Model. I’ve seen plenty of pre war outdoorsman’s in 22 but no videos on the M&P target model 38. Most videos pertaining to the K38 are of the Model 14 or the Pre model 14. 😢

I thought the pre model 10 was 38 S&W And not 38 special.

Is dude pointing it at his belly?

I'm selling mine

Lost my train of thought in line 3. Please forgive an old man's short comings. I get lost in thought frequently nowadays. Just ask the gun-grabber from way back, Joe Biden!