Vietnam war US Model 10-5 round butt revolver

[Targets Guy]

Our F-100 pilots at Phan Rang AB in 1970-71 were issued Model 15's when they had scheduled missions or were sitting alert.


burnout wallpaper

 

[BE Mike]

I was issued a new in the box S&W model 10-5 round butt as my last personal firearm in RVN in 1968. It has been a long time, but I don't remember it having a "U.S." stamp on it, but I could be mistaken. I do remember the dark blue cardboard box and gold paper. Most Army Aviators carried their sidearms in cowboy type rigs with ammo loops on the back. They were purchased on the local economy. That rig caused me to have some back trouble, so the supply folks were kind enough to find me a shoulder holster.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I was issued a new in the box S&W model 10-5 round butt as my last personal firearm in RVN in 1968. It has been a long time, but I don't remember it having a "U.S." stamp on it, but I could be mistaken. I do remember the dark blue cardboard box and gold paper. Most Army Aviators carried their sidearms in cowboy type rigs with ammo loops on the back. They were purchased on the local economy. That rig caused me to have some back trouble, so the supply folks were kind enough to find me a shoulder holster.

In this pic, the tall guy facing his Mohawk with a busted tire in Vietnam is one of my high school ROTC buddies, 1LT Ed Cribb. He's wearing a shoulder rig equipped with spare .38 cartridges. I suspect the revolver was a WWII S&W Victory Model.

Sadly, Ed was KIA in '63 when his plane was shot down by ground fire - his chute did not open in time, and his back was broken in three places when he hit the ground. I spent time with his wife afterward, and it broke my heart. He left a small son who was his spitting image. He was buried at the Ft. Benning cemetery in Georgia after being promoted to captain posthumously.

John


(Click for larger image)

 

[Retired W4]

The OV-1, the only Army aircraft with an ejection seat.

My first issue in the RVN was a Victory model. Second was a Model 10. In the cockpit we would rotate the holster so the gun rested between our legs for a little extra protection.

 

[JP@AK]

Sadly, Ed was KIA in '63 when his plane was shot down by ground fire - his chute did not open in time, and his back was broken in three places when he hit the ground. I spent time with his wife afterward, and it broke my heart. He left a small son who was his spitting image. He was buried at the Ft. Benning cemetery in Georgia after being promoted to captain posthumously.

John
I can't put a "like" on this because it breaks my heart. I lost friends over there too. But thanks for posting it. A good reminder.

I've been to the Wall in D.C. a couple times. It is hard, but good for the soul.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I was a Navy Advisor in Viet Nam in 1970/1971. I was issued a brand new Colt M-16 in Saigon. When I got to the Swift Boat base, I was issued a sidearm. I had the choice of several 1911s or one S&W model 10 that was the only revolver on the base. I chose the revolver. Awhile later an officer checking in wanted the revolver, so I ended up with a 1911.

 

[PALADIN85020]

John
I can't put a "like" on this because it breaks my heart. I lost friends over there too. But thanks for posting it. A good reminder.

I've been to the Wall in D.C. a couple times. It is hard, but good for the soul.

Jack, I have been to the wall also, and took a rubbing of Ed's name. Something snapped inside me and I started to cry - I couldn't help it. Ed did not survive his time in the Army, and I did. For him and his family, it was terrible. He was a good man who bootstrapped himself thru OCS for his commission. It seemed terribly unfair that he should not survive Vietnam. He was on his second tour - and had volunteered for it. There is hardly a day that goes by that I do not think of him and the full life he deserved and missed. He was 24 years old. I consider him a true hero.

John

P.S. I took this picture the last time I was there. I call it "Reflection at the wall."


(c) JLM

 

[BE Mike]

The OV-1, the only Army aircraft with an ejection seat.

My first issue in the RVN was a Victory model. Second was a Model 10. In the cockpit we would rotate the holster so the gun rested between our legs for a little extra protection.

Me too! My first assignment was with a slick outfit. After a few weeks, a few of us new guys (FNG's) were transferred to another unit that was building up strength. This is me with the first unit. After transferring, I ended up in Loaches.

 

[Retired W4]

One draw back with the Revolver, Cal. 38, among others was the M41 ball ammo. Pretty weak.

 

[Retired W4]

Me too! My first assignment was with a slick outfit. After a few weeks, a few of us new guys (FNG's) were transferred to another unit that was building up strength. This is me with the first unit. After transferring, I ended up in Loaches.

Ahh. The puking buzzards. I was with the stuck chickens.

 

[4thAlabama]

When I was at Ft. Hood, 74 & 75, with the 2nd AD, 38 revolvers were issued to helicopter pilots and female MPs.

 

[Muley Gil]

When I was at Ft. Hood, 74 & 75, with the 2nd AD, 38 revolvers were issued to helicopter pilots and female MPs.

Female MPs at Ft Benning GA were carrying revolvers in the early '70s.

 

[JP@AK]

After transferring, I ended up in Loaches.

A sitting duck. Loach duty was scary stuff. God bless you and Welcome Home.

One of my good high school buddies flew slicks for his full tour. His brother was Special Forces, along with two of our other friends. The brother and one of the two SF friends came back badly shot up. Another high school friend, a grunt, died in a firefight in I Corps. Another was killed in the Central Highlands.

I survived two years without a scratch. Don't ask me why.

 

[Old cop]

My last trip to The Wall was very emotional for me too.

 

[handejector]

One draw back with the Revolver, Cal. 38, among others was the M41 ball ammo. Pretty weak.

I think so, too, but my cousin killed two NVA with it after his slick was shot down.
I need to call him and get the full story and post it here.

 

[Ameshawki]

I have one in that configuration. No US stamp but both grip panels have the numeral "30" stamped on the bottom. Rack numbers I'm guessing. No idea if mine ever saw military service. The blueing is excellent, the grips show handling over the years. Given the condition I doubt it. I collect 10's and this is one of my favorite configurations.

 

[BE Mike]

Many years ago, I ran across some used model 10's that had belonged to either a security company or police department. I didn't have a model 10 and when I saw them, I had to have one as the memories started flooding back. It has quite a lot of honest wear, but mechanically is tops. It is an homage to the one I had in RVN.

 

[KEN L]

Hi Guys. I have not been on the forum much lately, as my collecting focus shifted to US military weapons, but I thought this might interest some folks here.

Pictured below is a US Army S&W Model 10-5 round butt 4 inch revolver. It is US marked on the back strap and was shipped on July 1, 1969 at the height of the Vietnam war. It was delivered to the U.S. Government Transportation Officer, Boston, MA. The contract was for 1,000 revolvers to be marked U.S. on the back strap. This info is from a Roy Jinks signed factory letter.

Many, if not most, of these revolvers were issued to army helicopter pilots. While Model 10's are certainly not rare, these Vietnam US contract weapons are very hard to come by. Mainly due to the bulk of them being destroyed under the Clinton administration, when US military/government hand guns were barred from release as surplus. I have no idea how many are in private hands, but internet searches lead me to believe they are exceedingly rare.

The revolver is pictured with a Vietnam date US holster and a Vietnam era flight jacket.

Very cool piece of history, thanks for sharing. Where did you find it?

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

I have a round butt 4” 10-5. I don’t believe mine has the US property mark but I never looked closely at the backstrap. I’ll have to check it when I get home this evening

Well… no luck. No U.S. stamp on backstrap.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hi Guys. I have not been on the forum much lately, as my collecting focus shifted to US military weapons, but I thought this might interest some folks here.

Pictured below is a US Army S&W Model 10-5 round butt 4 inch revolver. It is US marked on the back strap and was shipped on July 1, 1969 at the height of the Vietnam war. It was delivered to the U.S. Government Transportation Officer, Boston, MA. The contract was for 1,000 revolvers to be marked U.S. on the back strap. This info is from a Roy Jinks signed factory letter.

Many, if not most, of these revolvers were issued to army helicopter pilots. While Model 10's are certainly not rare, these Vietnam US contract weapons are very hard to come by. Mainly due to the bulk of them being destroyed under the Clinton administration, when US military/government hand guns were barred from release as surplus. I have no idea how many are in private hands, but internet searches lead me to believe they are exceedingly rare.

The revolver is pictured with a Vietnam date US holster and a Vietnam era flight jacket.

This is arguably the most practical K-frame ever made by S&W. Since the original Model 64 was the stainless version of the 10-5, I would have named it as most practical, but unfortunately, they introduced the 64 with a square butt. The round butt, standard barrel 10-5 is everything anyone needs for self defense, and nothing that is not needed.