The Model 10s (1957-present) have been extremely popular - the very pinnacle of .38 Special fixed sight revolver development. I suspect that the HUGE majority of them have received at least some use, and that those that are unfired are pretty scarce indeed.
In all my years of Smith collecting, I've encountered just two that were made years ago, but have survived in their original boxes with no visible signs of use.
Here's the first - the extremely common 4" blued variety Military and Police Model 10-2, shipped in 1961 - but still unfired:
And here's the other one. This is a Model 10-5 2" nickeled example, shipped in 1977 - still pristine.
If you have one or more ANIB Model 10 examples that date from '57 through '80, let's see 'em! They may be common guns, but they are still classic works of S&W art, and even more so when they can be seen in absolutely original condition!
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 05-20-2019 at 12:14 PM.
This is as close as I can come. Both of these are 1968, and one belonged to a forum member's grandfather that shot half a box and put it away(4"). The 2" had a couple cylinders put through it. It is D138. The very beginning of the D numbers
A 4" pencil barrel Model 10, with blued finish was the very first Smith and Wesson revolver I purchased back in the early 80's. Bought it new and enjoyed it above all others I have subsequently owned. So representative of Smith and Wesson in its simplicity, grace and utility. Certainly not rare with the millions produced since 1899, but I do not think you can underestimate its importance both as an historic firearm but certainly as an icon in the Smith and Wesson revolver family.
I found one a few years ago that was unfired until it fell into my hands. I bought it from a member on another forum. He got it from an estate
sale but had no real use for it. No box or papers but still unfired from
1963 or 64 C726xxx. Plain but beautiful. One of the seller's pics.
The Model 10s (1957-present) have been extremely popular - the very pinnacle of .38 Special fixed sight revolver development.
That would be incorrect.
The Model 64 is much more corrosion resistant and wears better overall. It is superior to the Model 10 in this regard.
Good point. Perhaps I should have said the design of the Model 10 was the pinnacle. After all, the 64 is simply a 10 made from different metal.
I have one 64 that's maybe unique - this picture with its authenticating letter says it all... Although it has a spin mark on the cylinder, there's no evidence this one has been fired, either.
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 05-20-2019 at 04:34 PM.
I just wonder how many new guns bought during the last 10 years by people wanting a gun for protection have not ever been shot. They ended up in a drawer and possibly never given even a second thought let alone ever been shot. I bet there are a lot of them.
I think this is what happened to more than a few guns sold in the past 50 or so years. They are out there and they do show up from time to time.
Good point. Perhaps I should have said the design of the Model 10 was the pinnacle. After all, the 64 is simply a 10 made from different metal.
I have one 64 that's maybe unique - this picture with its authenticating letter says it all... Although it has a spin mark on the cylinder, there's no evidence this one has been fired, either.
John
Extremely nice revolver. Here’s my police trade in Model 64:
It serves as my bedside gun. A lot of people feel these revolvers are antiquated and just not used anymore for serious purposes. This isn’t true at all. I recall last summer visiting a Southern Illinois hospital and seeing several IDOC officers on prisoner transportation duty; they were carrying Model 64s.
Guys, these types of revolvers are still out there “on duty”, being used by corrections officers, armored car drivers, security guards, etc. They’re awesome!!
I just wonder how many new guns bought during the last 10 years by people wanting a gun for protection have not ever been shot. They ended up in a drawer and possibly never given even a second thought let alone ever been shot. I bet there are a lot of them.
I think this is what happened to more than a few guns sold in the past 50 or so years. They are out there and they do show up from time to time.
I think you've mentioned a valid reason why some older but untouched guns show up now and then. Their previous owners bought them for protection, and they spent all or most of the time in nightstands or dresser drawers.
Such was the case with this beautiful Model 67. A neighbor of mine died last year at the age of 100. His estate executor knew I was a "gun guy," and showed me this gun. On examination, it appeared brand new in every respect. He had purchased a holster and a box of ammo for it; they also looked new. The holster had no internal scratches that would show use, and the ammo box was still completely full.
I was offered the gun at a substantial discount from the appraisal estimate I gave, and it was an offer I could not refuse. I popped the sideplate on the gun, and it was completely dry inside. A proper lube job was all it needed.
Roy Jinks told me the gun was shipped in April of '78, and I believe my neighbor probably bought it new at that time.
It's sad, perhaps, but I think it's entirely possible that many LNIB specimens come from the estates of folks who bought them for "house guns" but never bothered to try them out...
It's sad, perhaps, but I think it's entirely possible that many LNIB specimens come from the estates of folks who bought them for "house guns" but never bothered to try them out.
There's a lot of them. Probably the majority of gun owners are not avid collectors/shooters.
More's the pity.
Those un-fired ones sure are purdy! They wouldn't be un-fired for long if I had them.
Yes indeed!
Ohhh... see how they shine, Georgie, see how they shine...”
They wouldn’t stay that long with me either! I think the real beauty comes from the working guns that have “been there and done that” and have served as faithful companions in the darkest hour of men who needed them the most. The safe queens are neat, for sure, but they will never be as intrinsically interesting as those tired workhorses that answered the call to duty.
I applaud the countless men and women in arms who walked the thin blue line, or served in war, and the guns they carried that reflect that necessary burden.
Here is my 10-5.Ser.# D 3. ship on Oct.15,1971 to
Richard Sherburne Co.Amherst,Ma.
Dick
That sure is a beauty. Looks unfired? Now here is something interesting. D1 through D90,000 is credited to 1968. Obviously D3 is the first of the series. One would think it would not have hung around for 3 years. My 2" is D138. Think I will ask for a ship date
Bought a 2" 10-5 that probably sat in the box in an underwear draw since 1967. I am shooting it now and have put a line on the cylinder doing so.
From sitting so long there were a few freckles on the cylinder and the cylinder and barrel are a bit on the plum side.
I bought this 10-5 last weekend. I couldn't see any signs that it was fired since the factory. Ran a patch in the barrel & cyl, no powder residue. I know I paid too much but I won't be here when it's sold. I got the box and the parts list, no wrapping paper.
Hdhic aka cliff
As discussed above estate auctions are where unfired or nearly unfired
basic revolvers are likely to be found. Many homeowners just want to
have a gun in the house and may fire them very little if at all. The model 64 no-dash is the same gun as the tapered barrel model 10 but in
stainless steel. I bought this one in a local estate auction over twenty
years ago. I think it had been fired by the owner but couldn't say for
sure. Got the box and manual with it and also the receipt of the
new purchase dated 1974.
That sure is a beauty. Looks unfired? Now here is something interesting. D1 through D90,000 is credited to 1968. Obviously D3 is the first of the series. One would think it would not have hung around for 3 years. My 2" is D138. Think I will ask for a ship date
***** Follow up, According to Roy Jinks, My D138 shipped in March of 1968.
I find it interesting that D3 shipped 3 years later
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I ain't no fortunate son
Last edited by Narragansett; 05-24-2019 at 12:50 PM.
OK, here is mine. not as nice as most of the others, but I want to contribute,,Bought from orig. owners son-in-law, said dad played with it more then shot it, I believe that. Purchased from local spt. goods store for $71.50, great deal, but I paid a little more than that for it...only downer is no tool kit..
I think you've mentioned a valid reason why some older but untouched guns show up now and then. Their previous owners bought them for protection, and they spent all or most of the time in nightstands or dresser drawers.
Such was the case with this beautiful Model 67. A neighbor of mine died last year at the age of 100. His estate executor knew I was a "gun guy," and showed me this gun. On examination, it appeared brand new in every respect. He had purchased a holster and a box of ammo for it; they also looked new. The holster had no internal scratches that would show use, and the ammo box was still completely full.
I was offered the gun at a substantial discount from the appraisal estimate I gave, and it was an offer I could not refuse. I popped the sideplate on the gun, and it was completely dry inside. A proper lube job was all it needed.
Roy Jinks told me the gun was shipped in April of '78, and I believe my neighbor probably bought it new at that time.
It's sad, perhaps, but I think it's entirely possible that many LNIB specimens come from the estates of folks who bought them for "house guns" but never bothered to try them out...
John
Maybe it was mentioned earlier, but I acquired a NIB Colt Police Positive Special in 32 Colt New Police/32 S&W Long under similar circumstances.
A gentleman had purchased this new in 1965 when the Kansas City Area was threatened by race riots. He stuck it and a full box of 32 S&W cartridges away in his dresser drawer, and seemingly forgot all about the Colt.
About 30 years later, he brought the gun and the ammunition in to a KC gun dealer and sold them to him. I was looking for that gun in that caliber and saw it on one of the auction sites and snapped it up.
There is no indication that the gentleman even took the gun out of the plastic wrapper and he certainly never fired it. In fact, no one has even turned the cylinder on it. It's been sitting in my safe ever since.
A couple of years later I got another 32 Colt of the same model that I shoot once in a while.
Here's mine-had them for sale until recently-nobody wanted them. All original boxes-2 have grips numbered to the guns-diamond magnas un numbered. Maybe in the top 3 of S&W's greatest.
I bought this 10-5 last weekend. I couldn't see any signs that it was fired since the factory. Ran a patch in the barrel & cyl, no powder residue. I know I paid too much but I won't be here when it's sold. I got the box and the parts list, no wrapping paper.
Hdhic aka cliff
Yep, looks just like the one I bought in '17, box parts list and cleaning brush included.
Here's mine-had them for sale until recently-nobody wanted them. All original boxes-2 have grips numbered to the guns-diamond magnas un numbered. Maybe in the top 3 of S&W's greatest.
I want them...……….but somethin' tells me they ain't gonna be cheap!
I STUPIDLY walked away from an unfired parkerized .38 special Victory model, box, docs, and all about 10 years ago. I deserve punishment and abuse........
This nickel 10-5 c.1968 came to me with box and anti-vapor paper. Possibly unfired outside the factory, but not sure, and not sure it matters to me. It is still that way because I figure it shoots just like my other M-10's (great!) This belies my signature, below, but it is only one of two examples I won't shoot.
In my personal opinion , I think a bedside gun is one you are very comfortable with , and have taken to the range enough for it to be some extension of your body.
In my personal opinion , I think a bedside gun is one you are very comfortable with , and have taken to the range enough for it to be some extension of your body.
But, if you store it in a sock drawer, you never have to touch it.
Jay framer you are absolutely right. These guns serve he same purpose they did way back when. Whenever I’m in the woods , which is as least weekly . Either my 64 DAO or my dads old 10-5 are on my side stoked with Buffal Bore Outdoorsman load. Never ever felt under gunned. There may not be a better bed side gun than a model 10. Especially for those who aren’t “gun people”. Great thread
A K frame S&W revolver is probably still the most popular LEO sidearm ever used even though the wonder nines are gaining ground. My first duty weapon was a 4" model 10-5 that I had to buy with my own money. It cost me $85.00 and by the time I paid the finance company back it was almost $200.00. My first LEO job did not furnish sidearms. We had monthly qualifications back then and had two town drunks who were good at reloading. We would pick at least one of them up a few days before qualifying and give them a day or two to sober up before letting them reload. 99.9% of their reloads were good. We had some very good shooters back then and some revolvers that were well broken in, and if you had to miss a qual for some reason you made it up. I didn't know much about handguns back then and later moved on to .357's and 41 mags. I still have several K frame .38's, my favorite being a EBRPSO (East Baton Rouge Parish SO) marked model 64 I got a few years ago. I talked to the range officer over there and he told me they originally went to patrol and later to corrections before the were auctioned off. He told me they did an action job on all of them and when you shoot it you can really feel it. It is a very accurate shooter single or double action. I have absolute confidence in a K frame .38 because I'm pretty sure I'm going to hit the target with the first round.
The Model 64 is much more corrosion resistant and wears better overall. It is superior to the Model 10 in this regard.
No stainless gun can hold a candle to the grace and elegance of a finely blued gun
I used to live n a very high humidity area and wore only blue guns including a steel j frame in an ankle holster. Stepped in deep puddles and thick snow countless times blue held up fine