A local gun shop has a basic online listing of it's used firearms. They are listing a S&W Model 10-5 in stainless. I was under the impression that the stainless version of this revolver is the Model 64, and that the Model 10 only came in blued or nickel. Was the M10 ever made in stainless, or is this likely a Model 10 with a nickel finish?

If it is indeed a model 10, and it appears to be stainless to a non experienced eye, it's probably been refinished.

Maybe in a hard chrome finish? Or even a satin nickel.

Can you get pictures up for review?

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Nickel. Stainless model 10s were called Model 64s

If it is indeed stainless, it should be a 64. If a 10, is nickel, or other aftermarket finish. I bought a 1911 before that the seller listed as stainless. These guns were never made. It was a blue gun with zero finish. That was a big mistake on my part. Bob

Indeed, as others have said. The stainless version of the 10 is the 64. Example posted......

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Below is a picture of my S&W Model 10-5 Factory Nickel. I paid $222.00 for it last year. When you open the yoke and look under the bottom of the barrel, you will see a large stamped "N". The revolver also has an "N" on the grip frame under the grips/stock.

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My stainless 64 no dash. Factory stainless guns arent as shiny as factory nickel

Thanks for the replies-- they confirm what I thought I knew about Model 10s vs Model 64s. I'll try and get to that gun shop to eyeball the firearm in person.

Side question: most of my revolvers are blued, with a couple of stainless ones. I have no experience with nickel finishes. Are there advantages /disadvantages to nickel finishes vs blued, or is the finish just for looks? Are there things to look out for when checking out a used nickel finish gun? Thanks.

Nickel is not as prone to rust as a blued finish. I purchased my model 36 in nickel at the start of my police career in 1975. Stainless model 60's were like hen's teeth here and the nickel was my next best choice for durability.

In the early days nickel finishes were more robust and corrosion-resistant than bluing. They also were cheaper to apply. In the later 19th and early 29th century, many manufacturers especially of mass-market cheap topbreaks offered their guns standard in nickel, and you had to pay extra, like 50 cents on a five-dollar gun, to get a blued finish.

Blued finishes have gotten a lot better over the years, and with the arrival of viable stainless steel, nickel has gone out of fashion since the latter decades of the last century. It looks very attractive, but when it degrades, it flakes and can look very ugly very fast (although that requires heavy use).

You been traveling around in a flying DeLorean???

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Nah, that was just my fat thumb on the i-phone keyboard . An actual phone call (how stone-age; imagine somebody actually using their phone to make a phone call!) prevented me from my customary proof-reading.

I saw a nice pristine looking nickel Model 10 (I think model 10) today, and a nice stainless 64. Both nice looking guns. The stainless is more matte, and brushed while the nickel looks nicer. Personally although they're beautiful, I don't care for nickeled guns because I don't like the mirror finish they show every single little mark and plus they don't seem to age well. I had one several years back, and it never flaked, but it had splotches on it that try as I might I could not fix. For me it's either blued or stainless.

I finally got to the gun shop that had the gun in question. Definitely a nickel finished revolver. Was in nice shape. Had some gaudy aftermarket grips on it. Dealer tag still said it was stainless Model 10. I chose not to bring it up. Had a price of $400 on it.

I question a gun shop that lists a Stainless Model 10. They should know better....

No doubt the salesman would try to explain it would make a great truck gun for a Chevy Bronco.

So, it proves out to truly be a Model 10 in nickel.

But since all things are possible with Smith, I wondered if anyone
has ever seen a mis-stamped Model 64 with a Model 10 stamping?

Smith mis-stampings of revolvers is not a rare though highly infrequent error.

I rather like nickel finishes - more for eye appeal than anything else.

Here's a Model 19 - I think the rosewood smoothie stocks set it off nicely.



This Model 34 got the "deluxe" treatment!



...and I think this Model 10 snubby turned out nicely in nickel!



...and Colt thought nickel was nice enough to apply to this Python!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Paladin,

Of your nickeled revolvers, the Python really stands out.

Whether it is just better photography or not, I've always thought Colt "in the day" did the best nickel jobs whereas Smiths to me always were a bit less......oh, I don't know, less durable, less bright, not as well applied?