Hi all, I am new to the forum but not new to S&W revolvers. I now have an S&W 10-4 3" C950XXX, it has some holster wear and a few scratches. I would like to have it refinished and use it as one of my carry guns, I already put a set of Pat Grashorn elk horn stocks on it. Should I have it refinished or leave it alone? Can someone tell me the birthday of this revolver? Thank you.

The book says:

1966 - 1967 C810533 - C999999

So it was likely shipped in 1967. As far as refinishing, if it's going to be wearing Grashorns, it sounds like you want to go fancy. Places like Ford's can do a "Master Blue" finish that will blow you away, but then it might be too pretty for daily carry but just right for BBQ duty.

Dates to '66-'67. Refinish is a personal decision. It costs, and brings no value save for you personal satisfaction or lack thereof; for collectors, in most cases it actually reduces value.

As a rule, I think enjoy a shooter for what it is and leave it be, and refinish only if you have the spare coin, don't expect to get it back should you sell, and will truly not be a happy owner without a refinish.

It's usually easier buying in the exact condition desired to start.

If I were to show it off I MIGHT get it refinished. 99% of the time I would choose to leave it alone. Scratches, Shmatches.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My first reaction is a 10-4 with a 3" barrel is unusual. It may have been one of those special ordered by H. H. Harris in 1967. The Standard Catalog doesn't say how many were in that special run.

Although still not a catalogued length, the 3" barrel shows up more frequently in the 10-7 (standard barrel) and the 10-8 (heavy barrel).

I agree with Hapworth's general comments . . . but would lean even more toward leaving it alone if it turns out to be one of the "Herbie" Harris special run. Only a factory letter would confirm.

Russ

I love to look at a very nice finish on any handgun, especially S&W revolvers. But my favorite finish is one that shows honest wear that occurs during a long period of honest use and careful maintenance along the way. Abuse is a sad state of affairs, but the first purpose of these revolvers is to be used as they were intended. Your grips will likely not look out of place on the revolver you describe, as would a pair of grips in pristine shape such as the ones that came on it. That would be noticeable to me. I have a 10-5 3 incher that looks it's age but to me, that makes it perfect for what it is and where it has traveled. What you do with it is up to you, and if it would suit you better with a quality refinish done well, then all it costs is money and some time to wait on it's completion. But unless it's obviously abused, you don't need to make any apology for it in it's present condition. Even an old guy looks good in a new pair of quality made boots!!!!

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So long ... Ken

Thank you all for your replys, for now I think I will let her be and just shoot & enjoy her she sure looks good in them Grashorns grips. A reblue for sure , but not now.

A good idea. You can always get it refinished when you're ready.

I find guns with honest carry/use wear to be particularly handsome. I say leave it as you found it as far as finish. I'm such a fan of holster wear, that before I put it away for the day, I usually run my M19 2 1/2" in and out of the holster a few extra times to help expedite the process. (Am I deranged? Probably...)

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Matthew 5:9

So...now there are TWO!

Until now, I've been the only one on this forum to own a 3" 10-4.

So, thanks for taking THAT away from me!

Just kidding.

Here's a pic of mine. It dates to 1964 and was an Aussie trade in gun. Shown here 'new' with knockoff magnas.

I would not refinish it - if it were me, and it is.

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But then, what do I know?

No sir, I have been known to do the same thing.

I don't know how to post pic. I might can get my son to help me. I bought it from buds, it was an Aussie leo trade in too.

You say you are planning to continue to carry it, (and continue to wear off the blue), so any money spent on a re-blue is a waste, you're going to just wear it off again. Spend that money on ammo and enjoy it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Any M10-4 is extremely scarce, this engineering change is seldom seen, and the three inch barrel is special.
If your revolver is not completely trashed, I'd suggest that you leave it original and enjoy it as is.

For the record, I've seen less than 10 of the -4 engineering change over the years, about half of which were with 6" barrels, and I've never run into a 4" personally.

The -4 in my collection is a well used 3", but I was very happy to get it.

Regards,

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.............SmithNut

Here is pics of my 10-4 3inch

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	IMAG0873.jpg (104.1 KB, 57 views)

Smithnut, thank you for the info. and I think I better take the sound advise from you and others and leave the gun as is,not sure if I will carry it,

I'd sure leave it as-is, and I'll echo the sentiment of the certain appeal of a cared for 'working gun'.
Here's a pic of mine, a bit unusual. A 3" M&P, ship date of 1958, per Roy.
Barrel is tapered, although the pics don't show it. Taper in a 3" is much less evident than on a 4" gun.

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S&W M&P 3 in w holster.JPG (172.7 KB, 50 views)

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

...3...4!

Oh jeez! Now they're popping up everywhere!

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But then, what do I know?

Here's my M10-7, also a police trade in from down under. It obviously has some cosmetic wear, but the Aussies kept it in excellent mechanical condition.

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You're shy a few manners.