S&W Model 10 ND Nickel

tradrick · #1 09-29-2018, 09:30 PM

Good Evening Folks,
I haven't been on here in a very long time. But I've gotten the revolver bug again here lately (never really lost it). I picked up at LGS today a factory nickel plated Model 10 no dash. It has a C496XXX serial number. Has the pinned barrel, hammer mounted firing pin, has the screw in the trigger guard. The best info I can find online is around 1961. Can someone confirm that please?

This gun is very clean for as old as it is. It does not show much wear from being shot. To me it looks to be hardly shot at all. It looks like it has no holster wear either. I took the grips off and it is very clean and unmolested under there as well. Not sure I remember how to post pics on this forum. But was wanting to know about how much it is worth. I can post pics if someone can direct me how to. I'm sure that will help with determine value. Any help anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

murphydog · #2 09-29-2018, 09:37 PM

Welcome back! I think late 1961 to early 1962 is a good guess on the production date. I'd guess in the $450-500 range as you describe it but photos help, as you know

.

one eye joe · #3 09-29-2018, 09:51 PM

WOW---WELCOME BACK ! ! ! THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE A RE-ENTRY....

SORRY THAT I CAN'T HELP YOU TO POST PICS. I'M AN OL' GEEZER WITH LIMITED SKILLS......

I AM EAGERLY WAITING TO VIEW YOUR GREAT SOUNDING REVOLVER, HOWEVER......

tradrick · #4 09-29-2018, 09:58 PM

Hopefully I have figured out how to do pics.

tradrick · #5 09-29-2018, 10:02 PM

Here's a few more of the frame.

KEN L · #6 09-30-2018, 01:14 AM

Nice factory re-nickel. Looks like April 1978 for the re-finish.
Probably had the heavy barrel installed at the same time.

tradrick · #7 09-30-2018, 06:59 AM

Thanks for the info. I'm curious on how you can tell that it was sent back to the factory for re nickel. Very good information . I had to give $475 OTD as clean as it was I figured it was a fair deal. Probably not a great deal by any stretch but a fair deal.

tradrick · #8 09-30-2018, 07:14 AM

Sorry, one more question. Is it safe to shoot +P ammo in it? If so, would that be strong enough for continuous +P use or just occasional?

Warren Sear · #9 09-30-2018, 07:18 AM

^^^ +P is not a problem in that gun. You can shoot as many as you'd like.

murphydog · #10 09-30-2018, 07:23 AM

Any mechanically sound, model stamped steel K frame .38 Special is safe for + P - all your wallet can stand

. Not a huge difference in pressures from standard pressure, but most factories go light on "regular" .38 Special for safety reasons.

As Ken L noted above, your model 10 has a bull barrel swapped onto it; the original one was the standard or tapered style, and the frame where the barrel threads in was contoured for the thinner type. Shouldn't be too difficult to find an original style replacement. Enjoy!

Jtown · #11 09-30-2018, 08:12 AM

I think the grips should be diamond magnas.
Walt

tradrick · #12 09-30-2018, 08:34 AM

Thanks for all the great replies. Got a history lesson to boot. I might need to find me some good reference material for Smith revolvers.

CelticSire · #13 09-30-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tradrick

I might need to find me some good reference material for Smith revolvers.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson

ISBN 10: 1440245630 ISBN 13: 9781440245633
Publisher: Gun Digest Books, 2016

soFlaNative · #14 09-30-2018, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tradrick

Thanks for the info. I'm curious on how you can tell that it was sent back to the factory for re nickel.

I can see an "R-N" stamp on the frame at the grip.
First example I've seen so I've learned something.
Good looking piece.

TripleLock · #15 09-30-2018, 11:08 AM

My only contribution is that my Model 10, s/n C477768, shipped Dec. 29,1959.

Jim

KEN L · #16 10-01-2018, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tradrick

Thanks for the info. I'm curious on how you can tell that it was sent back to the factory for re nickel. Very good information . I had to give $475 OTD as clean as it was I figured it was a fair deal. Probably not a great deal by any stretch but a fair deal.

The 4 78 stamped over the R-N is a factory applied mark indicating it was re-nickeled April 1978. The original Model 10 would not have been a heavy barrel, which was most likely installed, at the owner's request at the time the gun was re-finished. Though the original stocks would have been diamond pattern PC magnas, it really doesn't matter any more, since the gun is not in it's original configuration anyway. Still a nice looking shooter, so any grip design that fits you best would suffice. Pricewise, I think you did just fine. You have a nice piece there with an interesting history.

Art Doc · #17 10-01-2018, 05:38 AM

"I picked up at LGS today..."

"But was wanting to know about how much it is worth."

What did you pay for it when you picked it up today? That's what it's worth. I don't understand asking what something is worth immediately AFTER buying it.

Art Doc · #18 10-01-2018, 05:44 AM

PS: The barrel doesn't match the frame exactly and is a replacement as the heavy barrel wasn't available when this revolver was made. I thought R-N meant finish changed from blue to nickel but maybe it was nickel in the first place. If it was there will be a letter N stamped on left side of grip frame. If there isn't then it was blue when shipped.

With the barrel change and factory refinish somebody spent a fairly ridiculous amount of money on this. Likely more than what you paid for it.

You have to decide if it's worth what you paid. I would not have bought it.

OLDSTER · #19 10-01-2018, 06:13 AM

A belated welcome from North Dakota