WW2 Model 10? Help me find out more about it

[learnaboutgpa]

This is the Model 10 revolver my grandfather brought home from WW2. According to the story, he took this revolver off a German soldier, which would mean that the German must've taken it off of an American. This was in N. Africa or Italy. He passed away many years ago, so info about this revolver is hard to come by.

What can you tell me about it? What does the P on the buttstock mean? The hammer is broken, how difficult would it be to replace that?

It's in pretty rough shape, what would the restoration of this look like?

[DWalt]

It was probably taken from a Brit in that caliber. Tobruk, El Alamein, etc. Can be dated from the SN on the butt but I can’t make it out clearly - would guess 1940-41. Grips are replacements. Easy fix for the hammer. P is a proof mark.

[learnaboutgpa]

726134 seems to be the serial

[JP@AK]

As DWalt noted, it is a British Service Revolver probably from very early in 1941. It is not a Model 10 of any sort. Model numbers were not used until 1958, and the configuration was quite different.

The barrel shows it to be chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, not the .38 Special. That's one reason we know it was British, not American (although it was made in Springfield, Mass., USA).

[DWalt]

I can read the SN more clearly on my other monitor. About all I can say is that M&P 723566 shipped on 4/4/41. I do show other close-by SNs as shipping in late 1940. With the 6" barrel it seems to have, it may have been one of the South African guns, but not necessarily. Some collectors would call it a pre-Victory M&P. As previously stated, the Model 10 nomenclature was not used by S&W until the late 1950s. The best indication that it is a British service revolver (or more correctly, a British Commonwealth service revolver) is that it is chambered in caliber .38 S&W, NOT .38 S&W Special. Those are two different cartridges. The British called the cartridge used by their military the .380 Mark II, and it used a 178 grain FMJ bullet. But it is dimensionally identical to the .38 S&W cartridge. It should not be difficult to find a replacement hammer.

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Family stories can get twisted around over the years. Legend has it that my great, great granddaddy suffered a wound to the stomach during the War of Northern Aggression. A check of the records showed that he had an extreme case of "debilitateness". In other words, he had really bad diarrhea and was laid up in a hospital for a while.

[learnaboutgpa]

Wow, this is all great information!

I was able to find a listing for a listing of a similar one, and it's priced at $550... dang, I never knew this could be worth that much. I'm definitely not gonna sell it, but still, that's surprising to me.

I'll be on the lookout for more accurate grips, as well as a new hammer

The finish is pretty worn, does that need to be restored?

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by learnaboutgpa

Wow, this is all great information!

I was able to find a listing for a listing of a similar one, and it's priced at $550... dang, I never knew this could be worth that much. I'm definitely not gonna sell it, but still, that's surprising to me.

I'll be on the lookout for more accurate grips, as well as a new hammer

The finish is pretty worn, does that need to be restored?

Best to leave it in its present condition. Period-correct grips will be somewhat expensive, but any K-frame grips will fit. Look on eBay.

[glenwolde]

Properly restoring it will improve its looks, but likely decrease its value considering the cost of restoration. But since you aren't selling it's up to you.

A quality restoration would likely cost more than its current value. A quickie buff and re-blue would decrease its current value. I'd leave it alone.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! In the time frame your BSR was made, it likely was finished in commercial blue with round top silver medallion walnut service grips. The hammer is the same as for any Victory Military & Police revolver and can be found at Gun Parts & Firearm Accessories | Numrich Gun Parts or on eBay...same for the grips. The hammer may require some fitting, especially if it is used, but many will just be drop in replacements. Best of luck with it!

[Major 2]

Opinions are like (you know) everyone has them.
It is said "buy the gun not the story..."

For me the story, in this case "Granddads" story is both nostalgic and plausible.... I would not restore the gun, repair it indeed
but don't touch the finish (other than careful cleaning)
It only in that original condition once....
as you said its value is considered $550... restored @ $$$ it's still $550.

I'd even keep the grips, though a original set would be nice, tho they are quite pricy themselves, and keep in mind the set on it was also Granddads.

That's my 2 cents.

I have my Dad's Hand ejector 4th change he bought in the 1930's
The model in 32 WCF was discontinued in 1928.
Grips are numbered to the gun and the gun is in original finish though turned brown... It will remain as it is

[digi-shots]

I agree, I would leave it as is.. maybe get some replacement wood grips. It shows the battle scars of war and is how your grandfather had it. A new hammer isn’t hard to find just be sure to keep the old one should you ever want to put it back in its current condition.

The British Commonwealth also included Canada.. there was a small contingent of Canadians that fought in North Africa. I don’t see any Canadian proofs but quite a few of their shipments had this longer barrel.

Thanks for posting… you have a nice family bring back S&W!

[DWalt]

Later in WW2, the USA was providing revolvers like this (as well as all types of war material) to the Commonwealth under the Lend-Lease Act of 1941. But this one was pre-LL and would have been purchased for cash by one of the Commonwealth countries.

[walnutred]

If it were mine I'd also keep my eyes open for a correct lanyard ring.

[Inusuit]

I'm with those who say the existing condition tells a great story about your grandad and the earlier owners. I would not refinish the revolver.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by learnaboutgpa

…..

The finish is pretty worn, does that need to be restored?

That‘s one thing nobody has mentioned about the finish yet:

It isn‘t worn. It was intentionally removed. The nice dark color within the cylinder flutes leaves no doubt about that.

I do not think this happened during the war, but sometime after, likely as a project to “prettify” the gun, together with the new stocks.

So while I’m usually of the leave-original-alone persuasion, there isn’t anything original from the war left on this gun. And the type is so common that there is little to no residual collector value left.

So I’d feel free to restore to your heart’s content.