Informal Pictorial Essay - 3 inch K frames - Part 1 - 38 Special Models

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SmithNut

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With all the interest in 3" guns recently, I thought I'd do a little re-tread action of an old thread, just bringing it forward. Some of the revolvers in this thread would normally be posted in the earlier (pinned) forum, but I'm posting it here since there are many interesting (to me) models from the non-pinned era represented.............

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Update 1-23-22
Just for fun, here is the first of a couple "Photo essay" threads on the 3" K frame. These pics are of the Model 10's, M12 and M64's (38 Special models) that were in my collection with this barrel length.
I'll try to get to the other (357 Mag.) models re-posted soon...
 
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Added this pre-Model numbered M&P to the collection this past year, this one letters to Rex Firearms of NYC, shipped on July 9, 1959. This was originally in the Gary Garbrecht collection, I was fortunate to acquire it from another collector (Thanks Lee!).
Serial number is C4656xx. This is a very special gun! A three inch barrel on a pre-model numbered gun gives me hope that maybe there are some Mod 10-1, -2 and -3 units out there with 3 inch barrels....

DtcecR.jpg



Another new addition this past year, probably the hardest to find Model 10 (after the above gun), the Mod 10-4. Three inch standard profile barrel. This gun, s/n C9500xx, shipped on Sept 20, 1967 to American Arms Warehouse, Warham, MA. The Mod10-4 engineering change models are very hard to find in any barrel length.

cV1bP6.jpg



This Model 10-5 is one of the New South Wales, Australia export gun. Purchased several years from a past-President of the S&WCA.

Features a 3 inch standard barrel (sometimes referred to as the intermediate barrel). Standard width serrated trigger. This gun dates to 1967.
r0UW7s.jpg
 
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This Model 10-7 has the 3 inch standard barrel, smooth wide trigger (wierd), and RB gripframe. The standard 3 inch guns are generally seen with square butt gripframes and were usually export models. This is one of my favorite K frame configurations. The grips are not original, but they look too good to replace.
icon_smile.gif

S/N is 8D09xxx, and is 1981 production.
hKIKI1.jpg
 
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This gun is a Model 10-9 Turkish export model. Bought this gun from Rick Nahas several years back, this was the gun pictured in the SCS&W2.
Standard serrated trigger and neat white painted front sight.

XUhRn1.jpg
 
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One of the more interesting Model 10-8's that I've found, this one has a nickel finish, and - even more unusual - a square butt gripframe. I've run across many HB M10-8 units, but this is the first one I've ever seen made with the SB gripframe.
This gun was made in 1982 (no barrel pin), and has a standard width smooth trigger.

f7WLl8.jpg
 
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These two Model 10-8 revolvers are shown together since they are essentially the same configuration - albeit a few years apart. Both have standard blue finish but the first gun - made in 1981 - has a deeper blue look, probably due to changes in the polishing process. This gun has a serrated trigger and pinned heavy barrel. The second gun has a non-pinned heavy barrel and a smooth standard width trigger.

M10-8 8D60xxx - 1981 manufacture
P85L0c.jpg


M10-8 ANB4xxx - 1986/87 manufacture
R26xCu.jpg


Here's another that didn't make it on my original posting of these M10's
This is a M10-8, a Commemorative of the CA Dept of Corrections - Peace Officers Association..

E1zoER.jpg
 
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This Model 12-2 is one of the rarest guns in my collection. This is one of the French Police over-run guns. The guns that went to France had a safety on the sideplate that looked like a cylinder release, but this gun didn't get that feature.
The original French order (125 pieces) were shipped in 1967, this gun sat in the factory vault for years before being shipped to Betts & Majors, Dallas, TX, on April 19, 1976.

I was fortunate to get this from Lyle Larkworthy a couple years back (Thanks Lyle!)

PVImbd.jpg

orig.jpg
 
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This Model 64-3 is s/n ANB2xxx and dates to 1986. Hammer and trigger are still flash chromed forged parts, the trigger is a smooth standard width piece. Finish is "standard" stainless.

qiYRuQ.jpg
 
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Here are a pair of M64-5 revolvers, both have factory bobbed hammers and DAO actions.
The first, s/n BDV2xxx, is 1989 production and has one of the nicest factory stainless finishes I've seen - it's almost polished. as well as standard flash chromed hammer and trigger.

The second is a NY-1 marked version, also DAO, but sporting the typical NY frosted bead blast finish and a red painted front ramp (unsure if this is original). Of course, the hammer and trigger are flash chromed forged parts. The NY-1 is BFV4xxx and dates to late 1990 or so.

These two are "good ones".


a2JvGf.jpg

3aSaqT.jpg
 
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Last one for this thread (are you bored yet?)

This Model 64-6 is the latest version in my collection, made with the frame mounted firing pin and using MIM trigger. This gun was purchased new in 2003 and I'm pretty sure it was made either late 2002 or early 2003, one of the last models before shifting the M64 to the next engineering change.

juKVcV.jpg


Enjoy.
 
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I'm sure glad you're back! Great post and I love the pictures. I go to 15-20 gunshows a year and have for the last 7-8 years. I've probably seen maybe 10 3" k frames and have bought most of them.
 
OK, so where's the best place to buy one?
 
SmithNut said:
Perhaps my favorite M&P, this Model 10-10 is from the Brazil export run and has the shrouded ejector rod. Pretty neat piece. Serial number CAA8xxx, late 1994 manufacture.

orig.jpg
Click to expand...

That in DAO hammer bobbed and in .357 would be my dream/grail gun. My Megan Fox of revolvers, absolutely gorgeous...
 
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