I think I over paid for a revolver I didn’t even want. Snubby Pre-10.

[crofoot629]

So there is this "older guy" at the Gun Club and he knows I like 5 screw S&W revolvers. He gave me a call. He had a boxed Pre-18 (100,000+ serial range) and this Pre Model 10. It was kind of a mercy purchase.

The Serial # is S9646xx.
The stocks do number to the revolver.
I don't know the going rate for this Model or much about them. Just that it's a fairly early Post War Pre-10.

The Pre-18 had a fair bit of high edge wear, two places of minor pitting on the right side plate, and the lettering was all filled in with white paint. The correct Gold Box was rough but sound. He had looked up pre-18's on Gunbroker and thought his was a $1200.oo gun. To me it was at best 95% and a $750 gun. I politely declined and bought the snubby pre 10 for $500.

If the Snubby had a box it would have been in my comfort range money wise. I'm trying to let it grow on me. So say something nice about it, even if you don't mean it

Maybe I'll sell it and put the money towards a nice boxed Pre-15 which I actually want. I'll have to cogitate on it.

Emory

 

[beagleye]

Dude that thing is sweet! Pre war hammer, post war gun plus safety bar widget, and in the S range, which isn't that many guns, plus a snubby. Snappy looking original finish too and numbered grips. You could get your money right out if you don't want it.

 

[Nyteman 44]

5 Screw 10

Nice clean and crisp looking piece. When you look at the garbage guns out there in todays market, I really believe your inner self wanted it. It is a classic looking piece. Boxes are boxes. Would you have bought a perfect box with a 50% gun. in my estimation, you did well.

 

[Goony]

Maybe you paid full retail, but that's a really nice example, hardly the sort of purchase to be having any buyer's remorse over.

2" M&P's in that serial number range have been documented as shipping in December of 1947.

 

[crofoot629]

I feel better already.
"pre war hammer". See, I didn't know that. You guys never cease to amaze me with your knowledge

Just the kind of thing that makes me think I came out OK. Hope I didn't take advantage of "the older guy" now LOL.

Emory

 

[DCWilson]

That's a very nice specimen of a postwar snubnose M&P. Those have been selling in the $400-500 range for a couple of years now, and I have seen a couple go for a little over $500. You did not get hurt at all.

I picked up one of these a couple of years ago for, if I recall, $430. It cost me another hundred bucks to get it shipped into California and have its sale recorded with the DOJ, but I didn't mind. These are very accurate and compact little revolvers.

Yours probably shipped in late 1947. By S990000 (shortly into the spring of 1948) the M&Ps were being produced with the short action and speed hammer. Those are nice guns too, but there is a certain classic quality to the long action hammer profile like the one on your gun.

 

[BBQLS1]

I like it.

 

[410bore]

want your money back?

 

[David LaPell]

Don't feel bad I know where there is a pre-Model 10 that was renickeled and not very well for $350, you did great.

 

[Engine49guy]

Thats one of the cleanest post war long action snubs that I have seen.
You are not upside down with that one at all.
Might be full price but you didnt overpay and how often do you find super clean one liner snubs.

 

[JCS&W]

Geez, you got ripped off! I hate that for you. Tell you what, send it to me, let me think about for..oh..a year, then I will send it back to you. I bet you will be glad to have it by then. Keep it. I will grow on you.

 

[old bear]

So say something nice about it

Those diamond magnas really look nice.

 

[Memphis]

My friend, I can say nice things about that gun and not have to lie one iota or scintilla! But I'm biased since I have recently been bitten by the snub-bug. Seriously, I was perusing the standard catalog of S&W today even before I saw your post, looking up the "S" snubs. As you already know there weren't very many of them out there (compared to the others). One JUST like yours is on my I-want-it-next list. I was lucky enought to find a pre-war 2 incher and simply cannot put it down. I will be patient and try to find it some friends. I think you did fine on price too. I know I'm not supposed to covet anybodys anything so I'll just leave it as "I'm happy for you". Thanks for sharing the pics.

Roger

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

It looks like a good trade to me! What's not to like about owning a Smith snubby?

 

[JSR III]

I have a 5" brother to yours with serial number S 9555XX that shipped in 11/1947. I paid $595 in 2005. I really don't think that the price that you paid is bad at all. I also bought a later 2" post war C 847XX in the box in 2001 that I paid $450 for.

I think that you could put this in the for sale section of the forum and get you money back immediately.

 

[Texas Star]

If this was indeed a "mercy purchase", how much credit might you have acquired in karma or in Heaven? That could come back to you in the form of an even better deal, some day. I sort of believe that can happen.

And if this man needed that money, isn't it worth something that you were able to help? What value is charity if it truly comes from the soul, in a desire to aid those in need when you can?

I doubt that you got burned much on the gun. Still, you need to bone up on M&P's and how hammer shape, etc. can tell the app. date of production.

I agree that the Model 18 was overpriced.

 

[Iggy]

You done right by that feller and got a good deal yourself. All in all ya done fine.

 

[crofoot629]

If this was indeed a "mercy purchase", how much credit might you have acquired in karma or in Heaven? That could come back to you in the form of an even better deal, some day. I sort of believe that can happen.

And if this man needed that money, isn't it worth something that you were able to help? What value is charity if it truly comes from the soul, in a desire to aid those in need when you can?

I doubt that you got burned much on the gun. Still, you need to bone up on M&P's and how hammer shape, etc. can tell the app. date of production.

I agree that the Model 18 was overpriced.

I think the seller was happy to put $500 in his pocket, but he is far from destitute.

For me it was more that he took the time to meet me at the Gun Club in 95 degree heat, and that I passed on the Pre-18 that would have put substantially more money in his pocket. The seller is just a really nice guy, and I appreciated that he thought of me as a potential buyer. It never hurts to have guys calling you up to buy older S&W's.

I think the transaction turned out great for both of us. I just was out of my depth on making an informed purchase. It turns out it worked out well for both of us.

Thank you all for the great replies.

Emory

 

[long colt frazier]

I would give you your money back if the condition is as good as the photo.
You did alright in my opinion.
Mark

 

[smithnframe]

Very nice! I just traded for a model 10-5 snubby in about 90% condition. Once again.....very nice!