Hello everyone. I just signed up on this forum. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify and put an approximate value on this 38. This was my grandfather's gun but he has passed away and I am going to buy it from my uncle but I need to know what a fair amount is for it. image.jpg

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It is a Model 10-5, made in 1969. It has the common 4" barrel and what appear to be original stocks. A nice example of the type.

I'd think $450 would be a fair price, assuming the box, documents and tools are not with it.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Without pictures of the entire gun I'm guessing a bit here. Looks to be a M&P model, vintage unknown. Maybe someone else can read the serial number and date it. Values are not great on most of these, as literally millions were produced over many decades. Condition and originality of both finish and stocks (grip panels) is essential at the higher end of the scale. These typically trade in the $250-400 range, though a pristine pre WWll example would likely bring a bit more. The original box, papers, and tools will add to the value.

JP@AK is on the mark. In my area, I'd think it would bring $350-$400 and a little more with box, papers, and tools.

You guys must be looking at a full size screen. Looking on my phone, I can barely tell it's a gun!

Don't click on it. Just let the mouse pointer hover over one of the thumbnails. You will get a larger image to pop up that way.

(Caveat: this is with a computer. If you are using your phone, I have no idea what works and what doesn't.)

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Welcome to the Forum.

Looks like 1969-1970 production. The value in my area would also be in the $350-$400 range. If you are in California, the price would be much higher.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Welcome to the forum. You will learn to like those 10-5's.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

$400 might be a fair market value if there isn't any more rust on the gun but if I were an Uncle to you the price would be $250-350! Or less. But I am not your Uncle!!
Ed

The model number will be stamped on the frame where you opened the cylinder. The picture you posted was the assembly number, look higher up toward the barrel and you will see Mod 10- and that is the model.

Is it an optical illusion, the barrel looks bulged at the .38 roll stamp?

Thank you all very much for the information. I am very glad that I joined this forum. I have another gun that was my grandfathers that I want to buy as well. But it is newer. It is a .22 M.R.F. CTG Model 48 but I haven't taken pictures of that one yet.

That is a very desirable gun.

I thought the same thing. Before I paid anything for the gun, I would look down the bore and see if there is a ring. If there is a ring, that would be a pass for me, even if it belonged to my grandfather...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

What do you mean when you say look for a ring?

The barrel interior (bore) should be very uniform in diameter for its length. If a bullet is fired with little or no powder it will lodge in the barrel, and the next (full power) round will cause high pressure to be built up behind the stuck bullet and bulge the barrel. This will appear as a short enlarged section of the interior. If the exterior of the barrel has a visible expanded section from the outside look inside for a corresponding enlargement.

However, depending on angle and lighting, the barrel may look funny in photos but be perfectly fine . Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It's either an optical illusion or the polisher that day got a little sloppy doing the barrel and wasn't able to keep it straight & flat. Doesn't look bad enough to be a real bulge, but inspection is necessary regardless now.

I don't know what part of Georgia you are in, but in my area (Macon), that is a $300-$350
gun at retail. More of course, if in like new condition with box and docs.

If you brought that gun in our shop to sell or pawn, we would put $175-$225 in it, again depending
on condition. We are required by law to hold merchandise we buy for 10 days, and pawned items
stay for 60 days if not redeemed, so we must mark up accordingly.

I am the "S&W guy," so I would probably advise the manager to put $200 in that gun, based on what
I can see in the pictures. If there was a slight barrel bulge, I would probably either pass on it,
or recommend putting $75-$100 in it, depending on how badly it was ringed.

TMI I know, but I got carried away.

I believe the "bulged barrel" in the picture is an illusion, caused by the lighting.

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Georgia On My Mind