Help identify nickel hand ejector snub

[JessicaLD]

Hi,
I'd love to know how old this pistol is. Knowing an approximate value would be nice too. If you all have questions, please let me know. Thanks!

Cylinder to the left, ejector must be pushed
On yoke: "MOD 10"
Serial #: "C 456***"
Caliber: 38 special
Barrel: 2"
Sights: fixed
Finish: nickel
Has a strain screw and a trigger guard screw
Has 4 screws but one might be covered by the grip?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .38 Military & Police, also known as a Model 10. It dates from 1968 or earlier.

Someone with more info will be along soon, I'm sure.

 

[JessicaLD]

Thanks Muley!

 

[murphydog]

Our resident K frame data bank may be along shortly, but I am guessing it was made in about 1960. At that time the most recent frame change deleted the upper sideplate screw (1957 or so), so it has the four-screw frame. A flat headed one is hiding under the right stock panel.

 

[DARE]

Jessica, you say 4 screws, but I only see two in your picture. There is one under the grip and that makes three. If it has a 4th screw in would be at the front of the trigger guard. I cannot see that in your picture. The screw in front of the trigger guard is what we call the 4th screw. It went away around 1962.

 

[JP@AK]

Model 10 serial numbers close to yours have the following ship dates:

C456661, shipped in April, 1959
C457161, shipped in March, 1959

It will have a four screw frame, as explained by Alan and David; three in the sideplate and the cylinder stop plunger and spring retaining screw in the front of the trigger guard.

 

[JessicaLD]

Thanks Murphy!

 

[JessicaLD]

Yes, there is a screw on the trigger guard, David.

 

[JessicaLD]

Thanks so much Jack. It might be even older than I thought. I'll try to take the grip off soon.

I paid $450 for it.

I haven't fired it yet. I'm hoping to go the range this weekend so I can finally shoot it. I've got some .38 wc and swc. I had never heard of wad cutter before that.

 

[444 Magnum]

Nice pistola and a fair price.

There are threads on the forum about the use of wad cutters as self-defense rounds.

 

[DARE]

Not an expert, but looks to me like nice original condition. If original nickel gun I think you did fine at $450. Don't know what the current value would be.

 

[DV0]

Does it have N stamped on the left side grip frame under the stock?

 

[JP@AK]

Looking at the right side of the gun, I have no doubt that is original, factory nickel. I suspect you will find an N on the grip frame. There might also be one on the rear face of the cylinder.

Nice piece and $450 was an excellent price!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! As you can see, this Forum has lots of helpful and knowledgeable folks. You have a very nice and desirable Model 10 snubby revolver. The diamond center checkered magna stocks are in great condition, too. Although there were millions of M&Ps made over the decades, the 2" bbl. versions are some of the most sought after by collectors. You got a great deal on that nickel Model 10, and nickel revolvers usually bring a 10% or more premium over the value of a standard blued version. IMO, your revolver is easily worth $600+. If you don't mind my asking, did you buy this as an EDC (every day carry, CCW) or home defense handgun? Regardless, take it to the range and have fun...it should be a fun shooter! Enjoy!

 

[gkitch]

We may as well talk about the grips too. Nice set of diamond magnas. You will very likely find a serial number on the inside panel of one of them and it very well may match the number on the revolver itself...

 

[JessicaLD]

Looking at the right side of the gun, I have no doubt that is original, factory nickel. I suspect you will find an N on the grip frame. There might also be one on the rear face of the cylinder.

Nice piece and $450 was an excellent price!

Yup! Jack and DV0, I did find an "N" under the frame.

 

[JessicaLD]

We may as well talk about the grips too. Nice set of diamond magnas. You will very likely find a serial number on the inside panel of one of them and it very well may match the number on the revolver itself...

Hey there gkitch, I did find serial number (and a little rust) under the grips that matched the number on the yoke. If I understand this right, those are the numbers that they used to match up parts in the factory? There's also a "W"

I think the grips look great too, is there anything I can do for them like an oil or something to help them look good and maybe preserve them for longer?

 

[Elroy]

I think the grips look great too, is there anything I can do for them like an oil or something to help them look good and maybe preserve them for longer?

a coating of boiled linseed oil, applied and lightly wiped wouldn't hurt.

 

[JessicaLD]

Welcome to the Forum! As you can see, this Forum has lots of helpful and knowledgeable folks. You have a very nice and desirable Model 10 snubby revolver. The diamond center checkered magna stocks are in great condition, too. Although there were millions of M&Ps made over the decades, the 2" bbl. versions are some of the most sought after by collectors. You got a great deal on that nickel Model 10, and nickel revolvers usually bring a 10% or more premium over the value of a standard blued version. IMO, your revolver is easily worth $600+. If you don't mind my asking, did you buy this as an EDC (every day carry, CCW) or home defense handgun? Regardless, take it to the range and have fun...it should be a fun shooter! Enjoy!

Thanks for the reply Hawg Rider, I never expected it to be worth much so, that's quite exciting! I've already polished it up some because it was dirty and SO many little scratches. When I bought it, I figured it was from the 80s or 70s (I know nothing about S&W or revolvers) and I now know those scratches were from about 65 years of use!

I bought this for fun honestly, we had a toy snub nose revolver when I was a kid plus all those great 70's movies with snubs. I had already decided on a S&W and this one just popped up. I'm now considering using it for defense. Maybe a little heavy for CCW, but it sure would be dependable. The rest of my handguns are all plastic strikers, which are great, but I love the solid weight and feeling of metal in my hand now. I might be hooked!

 

[JessicaLD]

a coating of boiled linseed oil, applied and lightly wiped wouldn't hurt.

Thanks Elroy, I'll try that!