Hi all...I was googling and came across your S&W site...Thought I would post a pic of my dad's old .38 model 10-5...Dad was career Air Force and went back and forth into Nam, like alot of guys back then...So his story on this gun was that he picked it up while on a tour into Nam, from whom or where I don't know...The outside of the gun has not been redone, and I'll probably leave it that way, for nostalgia...I have had it checked out, cleaned and I've shot it a few times...Apologies for the ****** pics...

20180428_204820 by Matthew Peregoy, on Flickr

20180428_204808 by Matthew Peregoy, on Flickr

Welcome to the forum.
Thanks for sharing your dad's revolver.
We love seeing guns that have really been used.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Thanks Taroman...And yea, it's seen some use somewhere...I don't know if it was in this condition when he originally got it or not....

These things were traded all around in 'nam.
An old colleague I knew was clearing a tunnel and found a Model 10 marked for the San Francisco Police Dep't.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Nice firearm and what a great story. Please do not, under any circumstances, get that beautiful old warhorse refinished. That is what we call a gun with character. Welcome to the forum. “Dad’s old guns” are considered priceless here. Good shootin’,
Doug

Well, I have a feeling this gun was like the .45...Everyone and their brother had one...And I guess the .38 was a pretty standard gun...But Im sure alot still have interesting stories...

He had a Colt .45 with the shoulder rig he used when he did courier work in the military...I don't know what happened to the Colt, he may have had to turn it in, or he may have sold it...Would love to have gotten a hold of that one too...

Hi CapnB...Oh no, I'd never have it redone...That's how I remember it all the years my dad had it, so that's how it will stay...It hardly even gets shot, just sits in my gun case...

Thanks for sharing. Nice memory.

Welcome to the forum.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing!

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Great gun and story. Thanks for the photos.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Welcome to the forum.
That a beautiful model 10. It is an all american, just like your dad. If it could only talk.

Ken
U S Army 1965-1969

If only that gun could talk.

Great memories

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments...

Matt

Lake Anna huh...I use to live around the corner on Orange Lake...Down in Locust Grove now...

Round butt pencil barrel 10-5......great gun!!

Welcome from North Dakota. Thanks for sharing

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John

Hi Joefan 1968:

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for the photo of your father's Model 10 and holster. The holster is interesting - is it an American made holster that has been modified with the shell loops, or is a locally made one? I just missed out on Viet Nam - I was 18 yrs. old when I joined the Army in 1975, but I knew guys that were there, and they told me that you could have locals make holsters and other gear for you very cheaply. The Western-style, or "gunfighter" holsters were very popular, and a lot cooler looking than anything Uncle Sam ever issued.

To add to Taroman's comments, I knew a chopper pilot that was seconded to the CIA to fly "special missions". He wasn't supposed to be armed for some odd reason, so he had to go to the "black market arms room" to acquire his sidearm. He ended up buying an old Webley top-break revolver because he thought it "looked cool", and it didn't look even remotely like anything an American GI would carry.

Regards,

Dave

Thanks Oldster...

Hi Dave...I really don't know the story on the holster...It's the one my dad always had with the gun...This is what the back looks like, and then the leather strap wraps around the front and has the buckle...There are no manuf. markings or dates on it anywhere...So it could be like you said, someone had it made over there...

20180501_185504 by Matthew Peregoy, on Flickr

This is definitely a Viet-made holster. I've seen enough to make that a pretty solid guess.

The ctg. loops on front are new to me, but likely in that era and area.

I knew a couple of fellow airmen who had basically buscadero belts with holsters very like that one. The belts had cartridge loops on back, like in Western movies.

I think some were probably made from water buffalo hide. And some were of patent leather.

Keep the gun oiled and out of the holster, lest tanning agents or any moisture rust it. This is particularly true if you live in a humid area.

Cool, thanks for the info on the holster...So you recommend not keeping the gun stored in the holster all the time??....And should I wipe it down or do anything to it while its just sitting in the gun case?...Thanks....

"Cool, thanks for the info on the holster...So you recommend not keeping the gun stored in the holster all the time??....And should I wipe it down or do anything to it while its just sitting in the gun case?"

Hi Joefan:

I agree with Texas Star that the holster was locally made in Viet Nam. One of the best, and my favorite gun protectant is Break Free CLP. The CLP stands for "Cleans, Lubricates, and Protects". You can apply Break Free to your firearms and not worry about the finish - it's gentle on them. You definitely do not want to store the piece in the holster as Texas Star mentions because of possible interaction by the chemicals used to treat the holster. In fact, if it were mine, I wouldn't even rest the piece on the holster because of possible chemical interaction. There is a product known as a "Bore Store", which is a soft cloth pouch that has been treated with a silicone spray that you can use to store firearms in (they come in different sizes). They aren't very pricey and could be used to store and protect your revolver.

Regards,

Dave

Cool, thanks for the heads up...

While we're on the subject of pistols here, I am looking for a good pistol case and im thinking about the Pelican with the pull and pluck foam...Anyone have one, and you do like them?...

Matt

Just up the road. Come on up to the lake, I'll buy ya a beer.

Yes, I have one that I use as a locked case when I take an airline flight. Mine's set up for a S&W 640 and a box of 20 SD ammo. I can take a photo if you want to see it. The do-it-yourself foam insert is a clever idea.

So great to see a gun, particularly a S&W revolver,
that has seen a good bit of the world and use.

While I appreciate all the wonderful pictures being
posted on the Smith Forum that show lovingly
cared-for near pristine examples of S&W's
great revolvers, this posting hopefully will prompt
others to show their guns "before" a beauty parlor
treatment with never an "after."

Sometimes life's scars and wrinkles make
something more beautiful.

Sure, love to see a pic...Thanks...