Model 10-5 Value

[jsimmons]

My dad had a stroke a couple of years ago, and his wife decided she wants to sell his handguns. One of these is a Model 10-5 that he got from his brother after he passed away some years back. It has a "C81xxxx" serial number.

It belonged to my uncle who used it as a service weapon when he worked as a security guard. It's blue with a 3-inch tapered barrel, and while it does show some wear, the cylinder still spins free and smooth. It doesn't appear to be a M&P version (no markings or roll marks that indicate as such). The grips are slightly worn, but not so much that the varnish has worn off.

There are some numbers and marks on the frame just under the "MOD 10-5", but I don't know if they mean anything. They are "22396", a "5", and a "3". I think this gun was made in 1966/67, and it doesn't appear to be anything special.

It comes with a brown hand-tooled leather holster and matching cartridge holder. No speed loaders were included, and it has 11 (40-year old?) rounds of non-FMJ ammo.

Questions:

0) Am I correct about the date of manufacture? (1966/67)

1) Am I correct about it being a nothing-special version of the piece?

2) I want to buy this gun instead of selling it for my dad, so what should I offer? Is $250 a fair price?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Your dates line up with those in the SCSW.

S&W made millions of this model. And, it is an M&P. S&W didn't stamp the M&P on guns to identify them as such. So, other than its family history, it is not a special revolver to anyone outside your family.

I think that $250 might be a bit low if it is in the condition you describe. But, I can't tell you a fair price. That is between you and your father. You could look at completed auctions on gunbroker.com to see what prices have resulted in sales of your model.

 

[s&wchad]

I'm sorry about your dad's condition.

The Model 10's were also known as the .38 Special Military and Police revolver, but they're not marked as such. The 10-5 engineering change was produced from 1962 to 1977 and the date you listed is correct for the serial number.

While some Model 10's were made with 3" barrels, the 4" barrel is much more common. FYI, barrels are measured from the front of the cylinder. The numbers in the frame cut are assembly and inspectors numbers and do not indicate anything out of the ordinary. If in fact the gun has a 3" barrel, it's worth more than a 4" version.

The holster could have substantial value, depending on the manufacturer and condition. Check the back for a makers mark. Assuming a 4" barrel and a "run of the mill" holster, $250 sounds fair.

 

[jsimmons]

I'm sorry about your dad's condition.

The Model 10's were also known as the .38 Special Military and Police revolver, but they're not marked as such. The 10-5 engineering change was produced from 1962 to 1977 and the date you listed is correct for the serial number.

While some Model 10's were made with 3" barrels, the 4" barrel is much more common. FYI, barrels are measured from the front of the cylinder. The numbers in the frame cut are assembly and inspectors numbers and do not indicate anything out of the ordinary. If in fact the gun has a 3" barrel, it's worth more than a 4" version.

The holster could have substantial value, depending on the manufacturer and condition. Check the back for a makers mark. Assuming a 4" barrel and a "run of the mill" holster, $250 sounds fair.

The barrel is a 4-inch (I didn't know where the measurement started - grin). There are no manufacturer marks on the holster that I can see. Since my uncle lived in San Angelo, TX when he bought the gun, he could quite possibly have had the holster custom made. I can definitely tell, though, that it's hand-made. It may have been made at a local San Angelo custom boot shop. The leather is thick and the holster is very sturdy. Given the modern gun owner's love affair with plastic and tactical nylon holsters, I'm not real sure anyone would really be interested in the holster, but I like it.

Here are some pics:

 

[diamonback68]

To be fair, I would give him $300-350 for that rig. Let your conscious be your guide.

 

[jsimmons]

To be fair, I would give him $300-350 for that rig. Let your conscious be your guide.

I can do $300.

He also has a Glock G17 Gen 1 (August 1988, post-ban gun with 10-round mags) for sale. That one looks like it's going to be worth a lot more (I'm still researching it), and although I wouldn't mind having it myself, I think I'd rather have the Smith (if I have to choose between the two).

I already have a pair of 1911A1's, and prefer to keep everything in the same caliber, but the Smith is calling to me.

 

[Iggy]

That is a keen looking gun and holster. Not to mention it's history. Glocks are Glocks, but that rig has soul.

 

[OFT II]

That's a fine looking holster. It may have been made by M.L. Leddy who was a custom boot and saddle maker in San Angelo. If it was then it's a high quality holster.

 

[jsimmons]

That's a fine looking holster. It may have been made by M.L. Leddy who was a custom boot and saddle maker in San Angelo. If it was then it's a high quality holster.

That's who I think made it. My dad has a couple of pair of Leddy cowboy boots.

 

[OFT II]

That's who I think made it. My dad has a couple of pair of Leddy cowboy boots.

Then your uncle and dad had good taste in leather.

 

[jhvaughan2]

Your not going to loose money at $300 if buy it and decide to sell later. I'd say that holster would go for more than you think, especialy in these days of "love affair with plastic and tactical nylon holsters".

By all means if you can afford only one get the S&W. You'll have another chance for a Glock but only this one chance for your uncle's revolver.

 

[KJM]

The barrel is a 4-inch (I didn't know where the measurement started - grin). There are no manufacturer marks on the holster that I can see. Since my uncle lived in San Angelo, TX when he bought the gun, he could quite possibly have had the holster custom made. I can definitely tell, though, that it's hand-made. It may have been made at a local San Angelo custom boot shop. The leather is thick and the holster is very sturdy. Given the modern gun owner's love affair with plastic and tactical nylon holsters, I'm not real sure anyone would really be interested in the holster, but I like it.

Here are some pics:

I would give 100 easy for the Leddy holster rig..

The Glock 21, if a TRUE Generation 1 glock, in great shape should bring 500. Gen 1s are not a dime a dozen... someone on here was just talking about one of them at 500...

 

[squekydad]

I inherited my 10-5 and will never sell it. Lucky for me I got a round butt snubbie and is my CCW of choice. It,s a great gun and more important is its family history. Grab that 10-5 asap, gone from the family forever if you don't

 

[Old TexMex]

Very nice rig, real Texas craftsmanship. I miss my mdl 10...
Sorry to hear about your father, all the best, amigo.

 

[sipowicz]

I love my 10-5....along with my 2" 15 it's my favorite shootin iron. It also has tons of sentimental value since it belonged to my uncle Artie who passed away this year.

 

[ar15ed]

that holster is awesome!