While poking through Dad's guns this morning, looking to see if there was anything I needed to cherry pick before the show later this month, I came upon something a bit different. It is a S&W 10-5, with a six inch skinny barrel and a round butt, serial #C691xxx. I can't recall seeing a Smith this long with a round butt before, except on newer limited runs. Was this a common configuration in days of yore, or do we have a neat conversation piece? I have no illusions about it's value, just curious.

I HAVE A PRE-WWI M&P WITH A SKINNY 6-1/2" BARREL, TARGET SIGHTS, AND ROUND BUTT.

...was only offered with a round butt. The square butt came along later (Model of 1905?), but the RB guns were also available.

1967 Shooter's Bible lists the Model 10 as being available with barrel lengths of "2, 4, 5, 6 inches", and with "round or square butt". A six-inch round butt gun is not a commonly seen configuration, but you could get one back then.

One of the things that makes older Smiths so facinating to collectors was the infinite variety ....