Price check on a pre model 10

[jahrs]

I need some assistance in determining the value on this .38 special and thought that some of you could help me out on this one.
I called S&W to find out when it was manufactured and without paying the $50 to get an exact date they told me it was somewhere between 1948 & 1951. The frame serial number matches the grips as well as the cylinder. There is also an N on the grip frame indicating nickle I assume. The cylinder lockup has no front to rear play. Also I took it to the range the other day and at 10-12 yards it's accurate. Thanks for your help.

[Lee Barner]

i'll go out on a limb and say 1948 as they started the C series in march of 48. nice gun. lee

[tlay]

Nice snub! You can help the appearance of your nickel with a good polish such as Flitz. Use a light touch and go slow. Don't use a dremel! After the polish use a good wax such as Renaissance wax. You can use the wax on the grips too.

[murphydog]

I would guess a little later than Lee on the year, 1949 or '50.

Yours is a nice example, and I would guess it to be a $500-600 gun. It was one of the less common barrel lengths made at the time and nickel ones are less commonly seen than blue. Enjoy!

[22hipower]

For whatever its worth, I recently bought this blue one (sn range C165000) which I think is likely 1951 or late 1950 for $432 OTD. I think you'll need the letter if you want to nail the date closer than "1950ish." Nice gun and I agree with murphydog that value is around $500 or maybe a bit more. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[DWalt]

Your snubby (C90558) shipped, likely, in late 1949, November or December. I have several on my list having very nearby SNs which did. Everything on yours seems correct. Without original box, I'd say that in most parts of the country it would bring in the neighborhood of $500 in a private transaction. Keep it waxed. Any wax will work. I use Johnson's paste wax on mine. Some use auto paint wax (Turtle wax, Simoniz, etc.). It doesn't seem to need polishing, but Flitz metal polish works well. There is lots of erroneous information around that you should never let Hoppe's #9 bore cleaner near your nickel finish. Totally false - Hoppe's won't hurt it.

"I recently bought this blue one (sn range C165000) which I think is likely 1951..."
Probable shipment in April 1951, from others on my list.

[jahrs]

Thanks for all the information, gonna try some of that Flitz too.

[Buffalo Bore]

Hoppe's will hurt the nickel if left soaking in it. Been there LOL ruined a 27

[jahrs]

I had a Colt Trooper in nickle that became cloudy after just a normal cleaning using Hoppes #9. I pushed a soaked patch thru each chamber and just let it run down over the cylinder as I had normally done when cleaning my blued or stainless guns. That cloudiness never did come out, I could make it look better with wax but it would always come back. Now, with nickel, I am extremely careful when cleaning. I typically stay away from nickel because of that, but this gun was definitely calling my name.

[DWalt]

There is absolutely nothing in Hoppe's bore cleaners which is reactive with nickel. The original Hoppe's #9 contains a very low percentage of ammonium hydroxide, but ammonium hydroxide does not affect nickel. The argument that Hoppe's attacks the copper underplating is absolutely incorrect, as there is no copper underplating under the nickel. S&W has never used a copper underplating - nickel is deposited directly on steel.

As I earlier stated, the stories about Hoppe's attacking nickel is pure unsubstantiated myth.

[larryofcc]

Originally Posted by jahrs

I need some assistance in determining the value on this .38 special and thought that some of you could help me out on this one.
I called S&W to find out when it was manufactured and without paying the $50 to get an exact date they told me it was somewhere between 1948 & 1951. The frame serial number matches the grips as well as the cylinder. There is also an N on the grip frame indicating nickle I assume. The cylinder lockup has no front to rear play. Also I took it to the range the other day and at 10-12 yards it's accurate. Thanks for your help.

I have # C169886 6-1952. It is blue and near 98% and I gave $375 for it. You are correct as to the accuracy. I loaded mine with Hornaday HV ammo and at 15 yards will shoot the 10 ring all day. Sometimes I use it as a concealed carry when not carrying my Sig P220. Nice gun. Big Larry