10-6 nickel value and question

[E&J]

Hello enthusiests,
I am looking at a M10-6 "target" with nickel finish online. The seller has no info on the gun but I'm waiting to at least get the serial number from him. I did request an inspection period as well. The S&W catalog shows 10-6 4" were produced in nickel but says nothing about a target model. The lack of a rear sight makes me curious if the target claim is genuine. I attached a small pic, that's all I could do at this point.
The S&W book also mentions a "trigger stop". Is this the same as the "improved cylinder stop"? the asking price is $550 which I would be willing to pay since it is a neat gun. Are they asking too much?
Thanks for your help,
Larry

 

[03clyde]

Could be that seller's interpretation of the bull barrel versus pencil barrel denotes a "target" model??

 

[Jdavis]

To my knowledge there is no "target" model 10. The gun does have a nice set of smooth target style stocks which does enhance the value a bit. The gun looks good as far as I can see in the photo. Be careful dealing on Armslist unless it is face to face and the exchange takes place at a place of your choosing.

 

[fyimo]

To my knowledge there is no "target" model 10. The gun does have a nice set of smooth target style stocks which does enhance the value a bit. The gun looks good as far as I can see in the photo. Be careful dealing on Armslist unless it is face to face and the exchange takes place at a place of your choosing.

What he said

 

[E&J]

The seller has replied and agreed to an inspection period. The Serial # is D8189xx which seem correct. Whether its a factory nickel I don't know. I think all the responses here indicate there is no "Target" model, which I agree with. Now its time for the fun part.
Thanks guys, any other things I should check while I have it for inspection?

Larry

 

[DWalt]

D8189xx: D750,001 – D870,000………Late 1975 – Early 1976 (manufacture).
It is not a "Target" model, but it does have a heavy barrel. "10-6 (1962): eliminate trigger-guard screw on heavy-barrel frame." It was superseded by the 10-8 in 1977, so it's a late-production 10-6. S&W offered a "Standard" barrel of smaller diameter, sometimes (erronously) called a "pencil" barrel. S&W never used that term. The target stocks on it are unlikely to be original to the gun, but as they are smooth, they will be desirable. Unfortunately, the left stock panel cannot be seen. Be sure to remove the grips and see if there may be a date stamp inside the grips. Also. look to see if there is a capital "N" stamped in the grip frame or on the rear surface of the cylinder to indicate original nickel plating. Absence of a N may not necessarily mean it has been given an aftermarket plating. A trigger stop and a cylinder stop are two separate things. The 10-6 did have a different type of cylinder stop than all those used before (see previous mention about elimination of trigger guard screw). The trigger stop can be removed if desired. The trigger stop keeps the trigger from "over-traveling" and perhaps pulling the shot. It is really not needed in anything but a serious bulls-eye competition gun. I am not sure if the Model 10-6 had one or not. Is $550 too much? I'd say it's on the borderline of being too much, but the decision is yours to make after you see it in hand.

 

[E&J]

D8189xx: D750,001 – D870,000………Late 1975 – Early 1976 (manufacture).
It is not a "Target" model, but it does have a heavy barrel. "10-6 (1962): eliminate trigger-guard screw on heavy-barrel frame." It was superseded by the 10-8 in 1977, so it's a late-production 10-6. S&W offered a "Standard" barrel of smaller diameter, sometimes (erronously) called a "pencil" barrel. S&W never used that term. The target stocks on it are unlikely to be original to the gun, but as they are smooth, they will be desirable. Unfortunately, the left stock panel cannot be seen. Be sure to remove the grips and see if there may be a date stamp inside the grips. Also. look to see if there is a capital "N" stamped in the grip frame or on the rear surface of the cylinder to indicate original nickel plating. Absence of a N may not necessarily mean it has been given an aftermarket plating. A trigger stop and a cylinder stop are two separate things. The 10-6 did have a different type of cylinder stop than all those used before (see previous mention about elimination of trigger guard screw). The trigger stop can be removed if desired. The trigger stop keeps the trigger from "over-traveling" and perhaps pulling the shot. It is really not needed in anything but a serious bulls-eye competition gun. I am not sure if the Model 10-6 had one or not. Is $550 too much? I'd say it's on the borderline of being too much, but the decision is yours to make after you see it in hand.

DWalt,
Thanks for the details. I have received more photos from the seller which show the N on the rear of the cylinder. I also did some "Pre-negotiation" of the price and dropped it down another $100. I did point out the erroneous advertising as a Target model which helped - I think. The close-up photos show scratches in the nickel - but no deep gouges. I'm willing to pay $450 (includes shipping) for a nice shooter since its never going to be perfect or original, but unique and somewhat of a rare find. This will be my first nickel gun and I'm anxious to see how well it cleans up.

Thanks again.

 

[DWalt]

Go for it. Those target grips might possibly have some special interest and value. Please post some good pictures of both panels when you get it.

 

[E&J]

I finally got a chance to clean it up a bit and take some pictures. There are a few flaws in the nickel, but overall it's in good shape and shoots well. The target grips feel great but they are not in the best condition. This is definitely a shooter but she sure is purdy!


Scratches in the nickel - the grips cover most of it

 

[E&J]

A few more naked pics...