I am new to this posting stuff and I think I posted my question in the wrong forum the first time so I am going to post it again. ahaha. I have a model 10 .38 special with the serial number of 86j597 on the bottom of the grip and 00813 is stamped on the inside of the frame when you open the cylinder out. The & symbol looks really weird too. Any advice would be great!! thanks!

The serial number would indicate that you have a J-frame . . . possibly a Chief Special since it's chambered in .38 Special . . . from the 1971-1972 timeframe. How did you determine it was a Model 10 . . . is it so marked in the yoke cutout of the frame?

If you're able, posting pictures they would provide us a basis for better advice.

Russ

It has mod 10 stamped inside the frame. I will be able to post pictures later today.

Just curious, what would the price be for this gun??

Is it a five shot or six shot?

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Dick

We don't have enough information yet to answer the value question.

"MOD 10" in the frame cutout would certainly indicates a Model 10 but the serial number suggests otherwise. Is the third digit of the serial number a letter "J" . . . or could it be a number?

Russ

five shot.

it's not a snube nose. I am not around the gun right now but I believe it has a four inch barrel.

it's def. a letter j. its 86j597....

and it does not have the heavy barrel.

Then, it is definitely a J-frame and therefore cannot be a model 10. It has to be either a model 36, 37, 38 or 49. They never made any of these with over a 3" barrel. We definitely need more information.

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Dick

Then I could be mistaken about the barrel length since I don't have it around me to measure. but I do know it has a mod 10 stamped on it along with 86j597 on the bottom of the grip, I do know that and that it has a slim barrel and holds five rounds.

Israel, let's go over this again. If it's a 5 shot, it must be a J-frame, model 10s are K-frames, 6 shot and larger. If it's serial number 86J597, which is always on the butt of the grip frame, it must be a J-frame, no model 10 ever had a serial number with a J in it. None of this adds up to a Model 10, it simple can't be.
BTW, the 00813 is merely an assembly number and has no meaning.

Only other explanation is a mismarked model number.
It would be virtually impossible to install a smaller 5 shot cylinder onto a larger K-frame model 10.

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Dick

Well I will post pictures tonight. My memory could be all wrong. haha.. But, if it was a model 10 with that serial number meaning that it was a mismarked gun would that make it valuable??

Most of the time a mismarked gun is interesting, but it doesn't add a lot of value to it. Maybe for curio-collectors......

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Even older, even crankier....

Can't image that big of a mistake for someone to handle a small J-frame and stamp it as a K-frame model, but all things are possible.
Someone might just be willing to fork over an extra $25, just because it is an oddball. They are not like mis-stamped coins or stamps.

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Dick

Ten four guys! Thank you for all your information!

I am not wanting to sale my pistol but I am curious on what the going price is for a .38 special 5 round j frame revolver?

In excellent condition, in $350 and $375 range. Hope that helps.

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Dick

I made an error. haha the gun is a model 36. You guys know my gun better without ever seeing it then I do.

Of course they do!!