Howdy
No, every one should not have a Model 10, because that leaves less for me.
The Model 10-5 at the bottom of this photo left the factory about 1964. It was a police trade in, you can see the armorer's inventory number stamped on the frame above the trigger guard. I got the best deal I ever go on a S&W revolver with this gun, $125 out the door a bunch of years ago. Those days are long gone.
It's older brother, the 38 Military and Police above it was made in 1934. This photo shows some of the classic differences between the older guns and the newer ones. The M&P has the old long throw hammer and the typical half moon front sight. The more modern Model 10 has a serrated ramp cut into the front sight and uses the modern short throw hammer.
In 1957 Smith and Wesson changed over to a model numbering system, and the old 38 M&P became the Model 10.
I actually have more M&Ps than Model 10s, I seem to run into them more.
A 38 M&P Target Model, precursor to the K-38 and Model 14. This one shipped in 1917. A classic Five Screw, there are four screws holding the side plate on and one more screw not visible in this view, in front of the trigger guard. Typical service grips from this era. Note the large, mushroom shaped extractor rod cap.
A four inch M&P with a round butt and hard rubber grips. This one left the factory in 1939.
I came across this tired old girl just a few months ago. There were two others in the shop, and they had less wear, but this one still timed perfectly, the other two did not. The grips have a lot of wear on them, but they are lettered to the gun and I would not dream of changing them. Still as accurate as when it left the factory in 1920.
The revolver that started it all, a 38 M&P Model of 1899. Note the lack of a locking lug under the barrel for the extractor rod. That did not happen until 1902. The internal mechanism of this model is a bit different than everything made since 1905. This one left the factory in 1899.
Yes, everybody should have a Model 10 (or a 38 M&P). Obviously I like the older ones. I don't much care for the new ones with the bull barrels, but that is just personal choice.