10-10 Twins (Brazilian)

[beemerphile]

I have heard (unsubstantiated) that there may have been only about 50 of these Brazilian contract over-run 10-10's with full underlug barrels that were left in the US that did not re-enter with import stamps. I managed to score a second of these rare birds. I was amused to find that the serial numbers of two guns acquired years apart were only four numbers apart. I guess they have been reunited. For the lower one I have the box, docs, and tools and the original grips. The top one is the later one and it did not come with the box and extras...

 

[nipster]

Interesting.

 

[pete950]

Those are sweet!!!!!!

 

[tekarra]

Very nice indeed.

 

[KLYDE]

What are the odds on the serial numbers being so close. Nice find.

 

[824tsv]

What's the story on these revolvers. You have piqued my interest. Thanks,
Robert

 

[Deacon KC]

Congrats on a fine score!

 

[Maximumbob54]

This is the third or forth time now I've said this:

Every time I turn around there is yet another model or variation I didn't know existed.

Those are awesome. Sort of like M65LS but in .38 Special and blued steel.

 

[Twogunnes]

Have always watched to find one of these. But, this as close as I ever come.

Great score.

Twogunnes

 

[Acroyer]

Those are nice! Somehow, when reading the title, 10-10 Twins (Brazillian), some other image popped into my head. I was wondering if I could open this thread at work!

 

[Tom K]

I was confused by your initial post. These aren't full underlug barrels like L frame revolvers - these just have a shrouded ejector rod, like a Model 19 snubby.

 

[C Islander]

Very cool!!

 

[beemerphile]

What's the story on these revolvers. You have piqued my interest. Thanks,
Robert

As I understand it, they were from a contract over-run of 10-10's for a Brazilian police contract. Typical of S&W, they released the over-run into the market without fanfare. I don't know that the number of guns has been accurately determined, but I have heard it to be around fifty. Some have been re-imported from Brazil and carry the stamp of an importer. These two never left the states. I'm always on the lookout for 3 in. revolvers (Colt, Smith K, L, or N) and that is what caught my eye on these - I simply like them. I bought the first one before I (or the seller) knew its exclusivity. I bought the second one from someone who was equally clueless about it.

And, as Tom K pointed out, "full underlug" was a misspeak.

 

[mkk41]

Hmmm , why would Brazil buy Smith & Wessons?

Why wouldn't they use their own domestically made Taurus? (lol)

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have heard (unsubstantiated) that there may have been only about 50 of these Brazilian contract over-run 10-10's with full underlug barrels that were left in the US that did not re-enter with import stamps. I managed to score a second of these rare birds. I was amused to find that the serial numbers of two guns acquired years apart were only four numbers apart. I guess they have been reunited. For the lower one I have the box, docs, and tools and the original grips. The top one is the later one and it did not come with the box and extras...

This configuration is highly desirable, though hardly new on the K frame. Raymond Sasia, one of General De Gaulle' bodyguards, attended the FBI National Academy in about 1961. He took his experiences from the FBI firearms training back to France, where he standardized the 3 inch .357 Magnum as standard issue to certain of the National Police. S&W made the weapons for France, and later Manurhin made its version, the 3 inch MR-73.

Over the years, S&W has made this exact configuration in 38 Special as the Model 10 as well as the fixed sight Model 19, and the Model 65 3 inch Ladysmith.

What is interesting is that Sasia, based on the FBI training, got France to adopt the 3 inch .357 Magnum many years before the FBI did when it adopted the 3 inch Model 13, but without any underlug.

Excellent find!

 

[lawandorder]

One of those is at the top of my short list of Smiths I need.

 

[CALREB]

I had a 4" L frame, but didnt know they made a 38 K frame , with the shroud. Nice !!!