looking at a pre model 10

[hm427donzi]

I found what I think is a pre model 10, serial number 125775. 2 inch barrel, K frame, half moon sight, square butt, diamond grips, 5 screw, nickel plated. It's a good shooter condition with some nickel blotting, priced at $275. What do you guys think? Thanks.

 

[linde]

I found what I think is a pre model 10, serial number 125775. 2 inch barrel, K frame, half moon sight, square butt, diamond grips, 5 screw, nickel plated. It's a good shooter condition with some nickel blotting, priced at $275. What do you guys think? Thanks.

Even though it's typically spaced 1/2" to 1" apart, I believe the letter C is part of the serial number. C125776 would be circa mid-to-late 1950 and would match your description. $275 for a nickel shooter grade would be a buy in my opinion.

Good luck . . . and welcome to the Forum.

Russ

 

[gboling]

From the information you have given it appears that it is a .38 Military & Police model of 1905, 2nd change. I cannot suggest a value but the use of +P ammo is not recomended in a gun of that age. Surely a collector will weigh in with more info.

 

[DCWilson]

If the serial number you report has a C prefix, I would date it to 1950/51. Yes, it is almost certainly worth the price you quote.

One caution: If the gun has a V prefix, it could be a cut down and refinished WWII Victory model. If the ejector rod does not lock into a lug under the barrel but just hangs free, that is what you are looking at. These guns are much less valuable, and I would not want to spend more than $150-175 on it, if even that. Some of these converted Vics originally chambered .38 S&W rather than .38 Special, and they were bored out to take the longer cartridge. There is a case diameter issue at play here, and .38 Special cases may swell where the charge holes are sized for the slightly larger .38 S&W cases.

Can you show us a pic of the gun? We can tell you at a glance whether it is likely to be a good one or is problematic.

 

[DCWilson]

From the information you have given it appears that it is a .38 Military & Police model of 1905, 2nd change. I cannot suggest a value but the use of +P ammo is not recomended in a gun of that age. Surely a collector will weigh in with more info.

Gboling is correct if the serial number does not have a letter prefix. But there were no two inch M&Ps produced at that time, so I suspect we are talking about a later gun with a V or C in front of the numerical portion.

 

[hm427donzi]

The butt of the gun had a ''C'' but I wasn't sure if it was part of the serial number because it was about 1 inch before the actual number. I thought the gun was cool because it had a 2 inch barrel and nickel. The diamond grips looked good, the nickel was getting a little blotchy and the hammer and trigger was showing miner signs of flash rust. I think some of it would clean up so I would still call it a good shooter quality. I was hoping that I had found something that would be collectable.