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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 03-30-2020, 11:08 AM
Ameshawki Ameshawki is offline
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Default Early Three Inch Model Ten

Out of shear boredom went to one of the local shops Saturday (they're still open in Iowa) not expecting much.

Stumbled across an early three inch Model Ten complete with factory letter. Late C series, shipped October of 1967 to International Distributors of Miami, Florida. Excellent condition save for a scuff or two on the right grip.

I've been collecting Model Tens for years. I knew the early three inch guns existed but never expected to find one. As I understand it the three inch guns of that era were special order. Different than the later three inch guns, different barrel profile and it uses the standard barrel frame.

Didn't post a photo as I haven't mastered that yet.

Any idea on how many early three inch guns are out there?
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Old 03-30-2020, 11:29 AM
Loyaljeeper Loyaljeeper is offline
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If the factory letter didn’t state how many there may not be a way to know.
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Old 03-30-2020, 11:32 AM
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SCSW list a few special runs for various customers/distributors. What dash version is it?
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Old 03-30-2020, 11:49 AM
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Quote:
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SCSW list a few special runs for various customers/distributors. What dash version is it?
10-4. My only 10-4 in the collection. I think I'm at fifteen.
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Old 03-30-2020, 01:15 PM
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The heavy (not bull) barrel model 10s were scattered between the 10, 10-4 and 10-7 variants. I don't think I have seen a 3" 10-2. Many were ex-Australian Police re-imports from a few years back. Enjoy!
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Old 03-30-2020, 04:27 PM
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The heavy (not bull) barrel model 10s were scattered between the 10, 10-4 and 10-7 variants. I don't think I have seen a 3" 10-2. Many were ex-Australian Police re-imports from a few years back. Enjoy!
I vaguely remember those Australian police guns. Pretty rough shape if I remember correctly. I have a 681 that was supposedly Australian Federal Police via Century.
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Old 03-30-2020, 08:33 PM
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Love to see a picture of that. I am not big on model 10’s, but a factory 3” would come home with me even if I had to pay a bit of a premium or it.
Congratulations!
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Old 03-30-2020, 09:21 PM
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I have a Model 10 no dash shipped in 1960. This came from an estate sale with a story of being owned by a deputy who special ordered the gun and supposedly killed a criminal in the line of duty. Certainly no way to verify and I could care less. Bought the gun not the story. Has honest wear and grips are worn as you would expect from being carried. Action is light and smooth as silk. I shoot it regularly. One of my favorite 3” K Frames
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Old 03-30-2020, 10:28 PM
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Ames -

We HAVE to see your find!

I will send you a private message with my Email address. Send me pictures and I will post them for you.
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Old 03-31-2020, 07:53 AM
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Model 10-5 shipped June 1974 w/Stag grips
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Old 03-31-2020, 08:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
The heavy (not bull) barrel model 10s were scattered between the 10, 10-4 and 10-7 variants. I don't think I have seen a 3" 10-2. Many were ex-Australian Police re-imports from a few years back. Enjoy!
Here's a 10-5 with the standard 3" barrel that was exported to Jamaica in 1973. Shows carry wear but solid mechanics.

Russ
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Old 03-31-2020, 09:22 AM
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Nice, wish I could find that barrel for my 10-5 round butt.
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Old 03-31-2020, 10:56 PM
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At the request of the OP from Ames Iowa , it is my pleasure to post this truly fine revolver ---
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Old 04-01-2020, 08:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ameshawki View Post
I vaguely remember those Australian police guns. Pretty rough shape if I remember correctly. I have a 681 that was supposedly Australian Federal Police via Century.
I bought one of those 3” Aussie guns from Buds. It was in decent shape. Just holster wear. Certainly no worse than any other police trade in. I stupidly sold it. I like a square butt in a 4” or more but on the 3” it just looked wrong to me. Should have kept it. Certainly not easily replaceable. I think they were $299.
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Old 04-01-2020, 11:03 AM
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Not to steal the OP's thunder - but I have a strange 3 incher.

I had just started working a p/t 'retirement job' at a LGS/Range and was glancing at some guns that had just come in on trade and consignment over the weekend, when the owner is rarely there.

One was a K frame .38 Spl., 3". Figuring it to be perhaps a cut-barrel Bubba-gun, checked it more closely. It wasn't.
Opened cylinder to look for model number stamp. None, just the usual 'assembly numbers'. C -series S/N on butt. About ~80% on finish.
Came with a DeSantis tan leather pancake that fit well.

Boss/owner came in an hour or so later. I asked, he checked, said it was mine for $150. Figured I couldn't go wrong.

At the time I was a member of S&W Historical, so sent a note to Roy Jinks asking about ship date. His response indicated 1958.
Close examination shows the barrel is indeed tapered, but being shorter than a 4", the taper is not as noticeable. Definitely not a heavy barrel.

It's a great shooter, and I've CC'ed it quite often.
Oh - it wears correct diamond magnas now and a BK grip adapter.

It needs to be lettered, but I've just been too cheap to make that leap.
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Old 04-01-2020, 12:18 PM
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Picked this one up from a Forum member a few years back.

If I recall I believe it was made in the mid 60's.

Very smooth action.
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Old 04-01-2020, 12:25 PM
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Awhile back, I picked up a 10 (nodash)in a pre Bangor Punta blue box marked 4"... Didn't look real close ..It was a 98-99 % piece.. Got it home and was waxing it and the barrel looked short...Measuring it turned out to be 3"...
wearing Diamond PC Magnas.. Roy got me a ship date of 10/59.. No letter yet...
JIM...........
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Old 04-01-2020, 03:47 PM
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Quote:
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Awhile back, I picked up a 10 (nodash)in a pre Bangor Punta blue box marked 4"... Didn't look real close ..It was a 98-99 % piece.. Got it home and was waxing it and the barrel looked short...Measuring it turned out to be 3"...
wearing Diamond PC Magnas.. Roy got me a ship date of 10/59.. No letter yet...
JIM...........
No picture either........
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Old 04-01-2020, 06:02 PM
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Well, since we are showing off 3" model 10's here is one I picked up a few years ago.

Model 10-5 serial number is a "C" and six digits listed as being 1967

I had another one with a D + 4 digit but it was stolen
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Old 04-01-2020, 06:26 PM
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Well as long as we're showing off, here are my newbys; a 10-6 in nickel with a 4 inch hd barrel, and a 37 with 3 inch barrel also in nickel.
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Old 04-01-2020, 07:00 PM
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Here is a few....
Top one is a .44
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Old 04-01-2020, 07:18 PM
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"I bought one of those 3” Aussie guns from Buds. ..... I think they were $299."


Good Lord - Can you imagine the stampede that would cause today?
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Old 04-01-2020, 07:23 PM
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Quote:
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"I bought one of those 3” Aussie guns from Buds. ..... I think they were $299."


Good Lord - Can you imagine the stampede that would cause today?
That's what mine is...
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Old 04-01-2020, 09:22 PM
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"I bought one of those 3” Aussie guns from Buds. ..... I think they were $299."


Good Lord - Can you imagine the stampede that would cause today?
I know. I regret selling it. Along with pretty much every non-plastic gun I have owned. The prices never go down.
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Old 04-01-2020, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Waveski View Post
"I bought one of those 3” Aussie guns from Buds. ..... I think they were $299."


Good Lord - Can you imagine the stampede that would cause today?
I know. I regret selling it. Along with pretty much every non-plastic gun I have owned. The prices never go down.
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Old 04-02-2020, 01:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Waveski View Post
"I bought one of those 3” Aussie guns from Buds. ..... I think they were $299."


Good Lord - Can you imagine the stampede that would cause today?
I got a round-butt 4" from that Australian deal, and I think it was $289. It's the one I recently converted to 3" and by a happy accident, ended up with a 3" recessed-cylinder .357 Model 10-10. I did a thread on it elsewhere on the forum.
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Old 04-10-2020, 04:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snake803 View Post
Awhile back, I picked up a 10 (nodash)in a pre Bangor Punta blue box marked 4"... Didn't look real close ..It was a 98-99 % piece.. Got it home and was waxing it and the barrel looked short...Measuring it turned out to be 3"...
wearing Diamond PC Magnas.. Roy got me a ship date of 10/59.. No letter yet...
JIM...........
I've just got to much STUFF.. I found the letter.. # C465608.. shipped 7/9/59.. to Rex firearms Co. ny,ny.. order was for 50 units.... I have the serial 's from the invoice..
JIM.......
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