[pahuntr61]

Hi,

I recently inherited an old revolver, and I have no idea of it's origins. All I know is that it still shoots straight! The serial number is C719xxx (on the butt). The right side of the barrel says "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG" and the left side says ""SMITH & WESSON". The most interested thing about the gun is that the cylinder actually turns counter-clockwise when rotating shells. I have never seen a revolver that does that. Any ideas on history??

Thanks!!

Dan

[30-30remchester]

this is an easy one you have a smith &wesson model 10 m&p (military police) by the serial number it was made in 1963. this is probably the most common model smith ever built. all smiths rotate counterclockwise. hope this helps

[Bob Wright]

Cylinder rotation was a discussion many years ago, with Colt claiming a matter of superiority in the clockwise rotation of Colt revolvers.

It was Colt's claim, at the time, that the hand (pawl) pushed the cylinder inward and tended to tighter lockup than the oppisite rotation of the Smith. It was claimed the Smith pushe the cylinder outward in rotation.

Moot point, Smith's lockup has never been a source of trouble, with the possible exception of some Model 29 .44 Magnums.

Bob Wright

[Bob Wright]

Incidentally, it was the Military & Police Model that introduced the .38 Special cartridge.

Bob Wright

[Quis custodiet]

Hang on to those original pre-68 wood grips. They are selling for about $60 a pair on the auction sites.

[741512th]

I haven't surveyed them all, of course, but every revolver I've seen rotates counter-clockwise. Any S&W I've fired, and my Taurus, turns to the left (unless you're talking about looking down the barrel).

Nice revolver, by the way. I'm a little envious.

[Quis custodiet]

FYI to 741512th: All modern Colt DA revolvers turn clockwise.