Help with S&W pre model 10

Noire 6684 · #1 10-20-2020, 03:46 PM

Hello everyone,
I hope this is the correct forum to post this question. I love S&W revolvers and am trying to learn more about them but just don't have the knowledge that I wish I had so am referring to this forum since the accumulated knowledge here is probably the best.
I recently bought a pre model 10, 38 special with a 2" barrel. Everything thing seems correct, the serial numbers all match including the serial number on the wooden magna type grips. The revolver is in excellent condition, I am estimating it at about 90%. My questions are first of all, how common is this particular revolver (I know the M&P and following model 10s were one of the most popular revolvers made and hence pretty common, but how common is this particular one), how desirable are they, and finally, what would be a fair estimate on the value of this revolver. Regardless of the answers, I have become very fond of it and doubt I will ever part with this one. The plan as of now is to one day give it to my grandson when he is old enough.
The serial number is C126138, from what I've been able to find online that puts it approximately around 1949, if anyone can put it any closer if I'm wrong about that, please do. Like I said, the grips are factory original because the serial number on them match, along with the serial number on the cylinder. I'm going to attach some photos to help with my questions. I know that the revolver is definitely worth what I paid for it (I got it for $350) I'm just curious what it is actually worth. Any help or additional information any can give me would be greatly appreciated.

dscampbell · #2 10-20-2020, 04:07 PM

Location is a big part on value. In California that would bring $700 or more. In other states &350 to $400. I have one from 1954 which was carried by a deputy sheriff 1954 to 1975. Then I bought it from him as a rookie deputy and am still carrying it in retirement

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Absalom · #3 10-20-2020, 04:09 PM

Very nice one, and a great buy at 350. These are not super-rare, but not easy to find in great condition either. A motivated buyer would probably be willing to pay 500 plus for that condition. The serial puts it in 1950/51.

raljr1 · #4 10-20-2020, 04:14 PM

mine is C150035 and was shipped in 1951. I have seem them online for $500-600. paid $325 for mine about three years ago.

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Wiregrassguy · #5 10-20-2020, 04:14 PM

I think you may be underestimating the condition. I believe it was shipped in 1950 but someone like DWalt or JP@AK can probably get you to the closest month. A lot of the snubs at that time were shipping with round butts. Since yours is square it may be a little more scarce which may affect its value a little bit. I'd say around the $600 range.

Mzuri · #6 10-20-2020, 04:23 PM

I have a nearly identical pre-10 snub in similar condition that I also bought for $350. It was priced that way because the pawnshop owner mistook the first two digits of the assembly number for a model number and so listed and priced it as a model 37. So I either a got a good price on a pre-10 or a really good price on the ultra-rare all-steel, six-shot version of the 37.

JP@AK · #7 10-20-2020, 04:41 PM

Noire 6684

First, I agree with Guy that you are probably underestimating the condition of your .38 M&P. From the pics, I'd say it is 95% at a minimum and probably higher. It is very nice in any case.

Guessing at ship dates from the serial number is a bit of a crapshoot, since they did not ship in serial order. The closest to yours that I have on my list is C133xxx and it left Springfield in September, 1950.

In the 1940s (after the war) square butt 2" M&Ps outnumbered the round butt style by a huge margin. That started to reverse itself in the first half of the 1950s, but as for 1950, I would not go out on a limb to say one or the other was most common. We just don't have sufficient data to make that statement.

What we can say is the 2" examples are far less common than their 4" and 5" siblings, and less common than the 6" guns. The demand for early 1950s snubs is running high these days.

At $350 you did very well. I'd buy a bushel of them at that price without giving it a second thought. $500 would be a fair price for one in this condition.

Retired W4 · #8 10-20-2020, 04:57 PM

That is a nice one! I think what is really striking about the examples from that time, the case colors on the hammers and triggers. They are so brilliant, and the ones posted here show that well. My SB, pre-10 snubby is C 188069 and it has that satin (matte?) finish like yours. It's from 1951.

Noire 6684 · #9 10-20-2020, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the great information, I have been a firearm enthusiast since I got my first single shot 20 gauge and 22 rifle when I was 14 years old in 1977. I just recently have developed a love, for lack of better words, for S&W revolvers. There's just something about the craftsmanship that went into making the older ones that is very appealing to me. There certainly is a difference holding one of these revolvers in your hand as opposed to holding one of the new "fantastic plastic" wonder 9s. Don't get me wrong, I have some Glocks, Walther PPQs, a Beretta M9A3, but I just have fallen hard for these Smith's. I also picked up a 28-2 highway patrolman recently and now looking for a 19. Needless to say, I'll probably be sleeping on the couch for a while.
Thank you all again for your input, I'm very happy with the revolver.
If you don't mind me asking, how much would shooting it occasionally affect it's value? I'd love to take it shooting every now and then to enjoy it even more. But don't want to do anything stupid or ruin it for the next generation who will own the revolver.
I see myself as a temporary caretaker of any collectables I own with a responsibility to preserve it the best I can for the next generation of owners.
Again, thank you for the great information, I'm trying to learn as much as I can and this is a great source of knowledge.

raljr1 · #10 10-20-2020, 05:42 PM

Shooting it occasionally won't hurt it a bit as long as you take care to keep it clean and don't drop it....and holster carry might effect the pricing at some future time...

Robert

JP@AK · #11 10-20-2020, 05:42 PM

Shooting it occasionally is not a problem and I encourage you to do so. Just clean it properly after each session and be careful not to ding the stocks or scratch up the metal finish.

The one thing you should avoid is putting it in a holster, especially a leather one. That is where most of the wear will come from. And store it in a safe, dry location; not in leather for sure.

Have fun and be safe.

JP@AK · #12 10-20-2020, 05:43 PM

Okay. So Robert is quicker on the draw than I am. But there you have it - two witnesses with the same story.

Deceasedeye · #13 10-20-2020, 05:52 PM

It'll rust out before It'll wear out. You'll be able to double your money easily if you choose to.

Noire 6684 · #14 10-21-2020, 01:05 PM

Great, I am going to take it to the clay pit and shoot it this weekend. I appreciate all the great information and advice from you all. I'm sure that I will have some more questions in the future about some different revolvers because the accumulated knowledge here is exceptional and I thank each and everyone of you who posted. I seem to have caught the Smith and Wesson bug and will certainly be getting some more of them in the near future. It all started with an old Navy Victory 38 special revolver and then I was hooked. I have 3 "victory's now, a 4" 586, a 4" 28-2 Highway Patrolman, and this pre model 10 snubbie but I need some more, regardless of what my wife says. Thanks again everyone.

H Richard · #15 10-21-2020, 04:48 PM

I just recently sold one very close to that for $500.

boykinlp · #16 10-22-2020, 03:10 AM

Noire6684,
Welcome to the sickness!😀 This is the best forum on the internet to learn about anything S&W. I agree with the others, in the your pre-10 is in much better shape than 90%. It is really nice and worth much more than you paid.
Larry

Old cop · #17 10-22-2020, 08:00 AM

My 10-7 snub, a former service revolver, is now a nightstand gun. The square butt, w/a T-Grip, fits my hand perfectly.

CZU · #18 10-22-2020, 10:32 AM

Here's another for comparison sake.

Double-O-Dave · #19 10-22-2020, 11:32 AM

OP: as others have stated, occasional use won’t harm the piece. My advice would be to stick with standard velocity ammo no “hot loads” nor +P loads and you should be fine.

Good luck,

Dave