Advice on gold-plated model 10-5

Chris K · Jan 23, 2009

Guys...I just saw something at a local shop that is a puzzler to me. It is a model 10-5 round butt with a pinned 2 1/2 " barrel----with a gold plated cyclinder, crane, ejector rod, hammer and trigger. The serial # marked on the butt is D117328, and on the yoke it is marked with # 74998.

The plating is wearing on both the back and the front of the cylinder---otherwise it looks pretty good. Asking price is $395. Very tight lock-up. Is this somebody's idea of a home grown barbeque gun, or did the factory produce these? Any other info about date of manufacture, etc?

Chris K · Jan 23, 2009

Guys...I just saw something at a local shop that is a puzzler to me. It is a model 10-5 round butt with a pinned 2 1/2 " barrel----with a gold plated cyclinder, crane, ejector rod, hammer and trigger. The serial # marked on the butt is D117328, and on the yoke it is marked with # 74998.

The plating is wearing on both the back and the front of the cylinder---otherwise it looks pretty good. Asking price is $395. Very tight lock-up. Is this somebody's idea of a home grown barbeque gun, or did the factory produce these? Any other info about date of manufacture, etc?

SmithNut · Jan 23, 2009

Personally, my advice would be to run the other direction - fast.
The factory didn't make any gold plated M10-5's, other than this particular gun being a shooter, I'd say there is no collector interest in it so value it accordingly.

twogunjay · Jan 23, 2009

If you purchase it you must go directly to your dentist and have gold front teeth installed; then, on to your local jeweler!

MACHTECH · Jan 23, 2009

That's hilarious

rburg · Jan 23, 2009

Its not a real common configuration. If it was in the same condition with just a blue finish, I'd suggest it isn't a bad price these days. Its not.

Guns with gaudy finish sometimes will attract a small but interested following. Its not just guys like Leroy who run a string of ladies. There are women who don't seem to mind a flashy gun. As a self defense gun, I see no reason why its wouldn't function as well as a nickel plated gun configured the same way. Its a flashy but functional kind of gun, not all that bad for the nightstand.

Your friends will make fun of you if they ever see it. That said, it carries with it a connotation of things many don't like. It also means the seller doesn't have a wide market for the gun, and his price may be soft. How long has it been where it is, and for sale? If the price drops just a bit, it might be a good price.

About 15 years ago a guy had a factory gold plated M36. He carried it to shows for a long time. Primarily because he priced it at over $3000 and you could buy one in blue at the time for $250 or $275. But he had the factory letter to prove its origin. It also had some engraving, as I recall. I only add that to suggest some guns, usually presentation pieces, were factory gold plated on special order.

devilfrog1911 · Jan 23, 2009

I think it might be a pre Thunder Ranch model before they toned it down to just a gold emblem.

35Rem · Jan 23, 2009

I think it might be a pre Thunder Ranch model before they toned it down to just a gold emblem

Now THAT'S funny!

Seriously? $400 for a messed with model 10. I can't imagine that much for a really good model 10. I wouldn't pay a nickle over $200 and plan to put that much more into a refinish.

Chris K · Jan 23, 2009

thanks guys---------I am peddling fast---away from this gun

s&wchad · Jan 23, 2009

D 117,XXX dates to around 1969.

mokuloa · Jan 24, 2009

On the other hand.

I have a 1952 model 10 gold pinto, looks 100% as custom finished. I bought it because it belonged to General Charles "Babe" Baron. Not only was Baron a General (in the National Guard) but he had strong ties to the mob and ran Meyer Lansky's Havana Riviera in pre Castro Cuba. I think it is pretty cool to have a gun that belonged to such a colorful figure. So depending on the provenance, it could be a deal at $400.00. Then again, you gotta live with it.

fyimo · Jan 24, 2009

I'm sure I saw on gunbroker just this morning.

ACP230 · Jan 25, 2009

A gun store in Merrill, WI had a whole lot of engraved and gold plated Smiths years ago.

I didn't ask if they were factory, mostly because I figured they'd been made into art instead of shootable guns.

MaineProbation · Jan 25, 2009

Just in case you do decide to purchase that piece, I just saw some pink pearl K-frame grips on eBay!

Nframe_is_no1 · Jan 25, 2009

I agree with Smithnut, run the other way fast, unless you have a white panama hat and a long white fur coat to go with that gun!

MaineProbation · Jan 25, 2009

Seriously, my biggest concern with that gun is not so much the gold plating or wear of the plating. I would wonder how much metal was removed in possibly critical areas in order to prep the piece for the gold plating.

Chris K · Jan 26, 2009

I've moved on from this one guys----am looking at a 3rd model .32 Safety Hammerless as a birthday present to myself. Thanks for all your valuable input.

Advice on gold-plated model 10-5

Chris K

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Chris K

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SmithNut

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twogunjay

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MACHTECH

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rburg

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devilfrog1911

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35Rem

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Chris K

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s&wchad

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mokuloa

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fyimo

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ACP230

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MaineProbation

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Nframe_is_no1

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MaineProbation

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Chris K

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