5” model 10-5 questions

[boomerg20]

I picked this up recently and it's my first "older" Smith. I was wondering what it's worth and when it was made. It's a 5" pinned barrel, 3 screw, finish is 95% or better with only a very faint turn line on the cylinder, no wear no scratches, I'm not sure if the grips on it are correct or not, but they are not the original ones. Serial# C843xxx Thanks!

 

[Glashaus]

I have two 5" M10-5's, they balance and shoot very well. I have a 4" M10-5 that I lettered in the C860xxx range that shipped July 15, 1966.

The grips on yours are not original and it looks to be re-blued but it should make a fine shooter.

 

[Jtown]

Grips are new grips not S & W. Gun has been refinished.
Walt

 

[boomerg20]

What makes you think it was refinished? The color or finish. I knew the original owner and he was meticulous with his guns, he passed last year and I bought it from his son soon after.

 

[Bushytale]

The color difference between the barrel and cylinder to the frame. You can see a purple hue on the barrel and cylinder. The grips have no S&W medallions.

 

[Glashaus]

Yes the color on the barrel and cylinder are indicative of a re-blue, the frame color is a little off from factory, the S&W medallion on the side plate looks to be somewhat buffed off and not as sharp as it should be and the gap at the top of the side plate where it fits the frame are all signs of buffing and re-blue

 

[Igiveup]

Reblued or not, nice looking M10. I don't see that 5 inch barrel often. Should be fun to shoot at the range.

 

[Targets Guy]

C853xxx shipped 5/66
C806xxx shipped 2/66

You are now surrounded.

I have two Model 10-5's, a 5" and a 4". Both are good shooters.

 

[boomerg20]

Thanks guys I never picked up on the re-blue, still I only have $300 into it. I shot it today and it's accurate and handles nicely, unfortunately I let the wife shoot it and it's her new favorite..... soooo now I gotta find another one for me...

 

[wvs&w]

Nice looking 5" 10 there Boomer, you don't see any around my neck of the woods. I'd be proud to own one just like yours. Thanks for sharing, I'll bet it will shoots as good as it looks!

 

[Alk8944]

The "Plum" color of the barrel and cylinder has nothing to do with being refinished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you will do a search for Plum you will find more threads than you can even imagine. Not saying the gun has or has not been refinished, but the real reason for the color difference is the steel in the barrel and cylinder have a higher Nickel content that the other parts, and it is the Nickel content that causes the plum or purple coloration as the finish ages. This only applies to guns manufactured during the period when the nitrate bluing process was used. It is very commonly seen with the Magnum revolvers, and frequently with guns that can definitely be documented as having their original finish. It is ALWAYS the barrel and cylinder that take on the plum color as the finish ages! It would not be consistent if the only factor was the gun was refinished!

 

[Texas Star]

The "Plum" color of the barrel and cylinder has nothing to do with being refinished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you will do a search for Plum you will find more threads than you can even imagine. Not saying the gun has or has not been refinished, but the real reason for the color difference is the steel in the barrel and cylinder have a higher Nickel content that the other parts, and it is the Nickel content that causes the plum or purple coloration as the finish ages. This only applies to guns manufactured during the period when the nitrate bluing process was used. It is very commonly seen with the Magnum revolvers, and frequently with guns that can definitely be documented as having their original finish. It is ALWAYS the barrel and cylinder that take on the plum color as the finish ages! It would not be consistent if the only factor was the gun was refinished!

And this is ONE reason why I prefer stainless guns!

BTW, I've seen more Plum bluing on Ruger SA's than on S&W's. Oddly, maybe just coincidence, I don't think I've seen a Colt blue job that went plum.

 

[shouldazagged]

I love the 10-5's. I wish I hadn't sold the four-inch one I had as a house gun.

I like the balance and aesthetics of the standard barrel much better than the heavy barrel. I would love to have a standard-barrel M64.

 

[alwslate]

The "Plum" color of the barrel and cylinder has nothing to do with being refinished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you will do a search for Plum you will find more threads than you can even imagine. Not saying the gun has or has not been refinished, but the real reason for the color difference is the steel in the barrel and cylinder have a higher Nickel content that the other parts, and it is the Nickel content that causes the plum or purple coloration as the finish ages. This only applies to guns manufactured during the period when the nitrate bluing process was used. It is very commonly seen with the Magnum revolvers, and frequently with guns that can definitely be documented as having their original finish. It is ALWAYS the barrel and cylinder that take on the plum color as the finish ages! It would not be consistent if the only factor was the gun was refinished!

Well now Alk you are probably right, to some degree that is
despite your!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!usual modesty. One
of my mod 28s has a slight plum cast to the cyl if you look
at it in good light from the right angle. And it is the original
finish. But I have looked at an awful lot of S&W revolvers
over the years and I have never seen one before that had
any thing like the plum color on the barrel of the OP's gun.
Not saying they're not out there but I haven't seen one. The
OP's gun has other indications of a refinish anyway so maybe
it's just a coincidence huh

 

[Narragansett]

Well OP, regardless of what fruit the finish looks like, I think you have a fine piece and at a good price point. Enjoy it !!!!

 

[Dan Carey]

Just love my 5" barrel Model 10! Put a set of Altamont grips on it and it's one of my favorites!