Model 10 S&W Shah Stamped

[Jimbob2.0]

Can anyone tell me a little more about the Model 10 S&W .38 S&W revolvers that were bought by the Shah I am a collector of persian firearms and have come across one. Its overpriced but I am intrigued.

1. How many were made (I have heard 7,000)
2. When were they made (year, assuming before 1979)
3. Were they ever delivered, I am looking at one that is Cherry that is remarkable if it was ever exported and saw service. Not so remarkable if they were made and surplused in the states.
4. What is the typical sale price range on these, bluebook doesnt have anything beyond a standard mod-10.

Expert advice needed as I know more about Dan Wessons than Smith and Wessons!

 

[indiuckian]

I kind of go by how many are seen rather than how many were made.
If you collect Persian Arms then you must have been keeping your eye out for such things. How many have you seen? Is this one in good shape?
Value???To a former guard of the Shah living in the states and retired perhaps wanting to pass on something to a son, a weapon like that may be worth thousands of dollars. If it is priced high and your only intention is as an investment it may not be the one for you. If you collect Persian weapons and this weapon fills a hole I would not worry as much about price. If not you may end up 10 years from now with the same hole in the collection with the cost to fill it a bit more than it would be now. Just my 2 cents. The information you have about production numbers is what I have seen (I think) posted here.

Indiuckian

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Thats the question, I have never seen one. Have seen the Lugers and every variation of Mauser but never a revolver.

Dont mind paying a little premium, as it fits and probably fun to take out and shoot once every couple years.

What I dont want to do is buy it and find out thousands were dumped into the US market.

 

[indiuckian]

I wouldn't worry about the amount...

"dumped in the US market". Hundreds of thousands of m1 carbines, m1 garands, us marked 1911's, remington rolling blocks, mausers of every configuration, etc....Were dumped on the US market at one time or another. I have one of the NRA m1 carbines given to me by my Grandfather, that is Winchester, 98% all original with the receipt from the Ogden Arsenal for $17.50 plus $2.50 railroad delivery shipping. Manufacture date 6/44. I bet that carbine is worth 5 times what he paid for it.
The point being is if a firearm is desirable (m1 carbine) it doesn't matter HOW many were made (6 million I believe) but whether they are desirable and historical. And then condition, then originality (or visa versa) all go into play in assigning value.
What you seem to be saying is I want to buy a rare Shah marked Smith and Wesson revolver that is the only one I have seen and I want the price to be lower than what it is worth which I can't determine because.....I can't find any info on one. It is hard to determine value without a past sale. I have only heard of one and the Gun shop would not price it nor sell it (they may have since). It had no import mark and if the dates of manufacture for the Shah guns are mid 70's the weapon would have had to have been brought here personally (or never left the country)?
I think the fact you can't seem to find much info should answer the question about a large number being "dumped" on our shores.
What I would do is watch this revolver for two months and when it sells you will know what its value is. Start watching for them again and when you see another one sell take the two "sold" prices, divide them by 2 and by that time you may not care any longer.

 

[coneten]

I have seen one..only one of these Smith & Wesson Shah marked revolvers. I remember many Iranian trainees at Keesler AFB in the 60's. We were selling the Shah fighters, training pilots and support aircrewmen. I would think that the Smith revolvers that were contracted to Iran were top grade...the one I saw was just that..excellent +++. Do a search on this forum and you might find more info on the revolver in your post. It might be the same one posted about earlier.

 

[indiuckian]

I am a sucker for history and I can't help but think that the Shah of Iran being overthrown is a watershed moment in modern history due to the events that followed and continue to this day in the Middle East. I was twelve and my little brother still has a roll of "Ahyatolla Khomeni" toilet paper that was sold at that time.

Now that and the Shah marked revolver would make a nice display. If you want you can tell me where it is and I will let you know if they are asking too much?

 

[missiondude]

Here is some more info...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/135955-iranian-s-w-model-10-a.html

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Thanks guys, it was on Gun Broker and I popped for it. Overpriced (buy once cry once) but I collect persian guns (started with Mausers) so I guess it has a little extra value to me than a normal cherry Mod 10. Plus its pristine and not import marked. Everything I have gets shot, but this one will get shot relatively little (once every couple years)

Would like some details on this gun if you have them, thanks for posting the other thread I had found that.

 

[acl864]

Very nice! Maybe not something that's going to shoot up in value but in future years the story behind it (and it's relative rarity) should make it more valuable.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Ya I just hope the pics arent touched up, though the seller seems very upstanding.

Well see when I get it.

 

[Shootsomething]

Smith model 10 - Shau Stamped

A little bird told me the pistol shipped today and I can vouch for the seller he is a very upstanding guy The pistol is nicer in person than in the pictures; no touch ups.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Thanks, look forward to getting it. I have high expectations.

My transfer FFL is going to get a surprise given he was private security in Iran before the Shah's fall. I actually hope he will be able to tell me a little more about it.

 

[28Shooter]

Congrats on the new gun Jimbob! You'd have been sorry if you didn't buy it.

 

[indiuckian]

He is a good guy to deal with...

I purchased a 29-2 police marked from this seller about a month ago. He didn't have the Shah marked model 10 then which ended up being good for you.

Indy

 

[indiuckian]

My transfer FFL is going to get a surprise given he was private security in Iran before the Shah's fall. I actually hope he will be able to tell me a little more about it.

Please share what you learn from him. Researching is sometimes as fun as the collecting. I have a page of notes from where I spoke to a couple of LPD officers about my 29-2. It doesn't really add to the value but it sure adds to the enjoyment of collecting.
Guns can't talk but people can so I try to learn first hand from those that carried these any stories, antecdotes, etc... There seems to be a bit of a void of information on these Shah marked weapons and I hope your dealer can enlighten us some.

Indy

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Will do, it will look nice with its new expatriate friends below

28shooter are you a MdShooters.com member?

 

[28Shooter]

Yes I am, you know we MdShooters are everywhere. I knew it had to be you because there could not possibly be two Shah-marked Model 10s out there at the same time. Congratulations again on a most interesting handgun.

 

[bshepherd]

Nice looking revolver, I am sure you will like it. I also have one of the Persian Mausers. It is a work of art, kind of like S&Ws are.

 

[billmac]

I just purchase a model 101, 4" barrel, Nickel plated, adjustable rear site. can anyone give me any info. on this gun?

 

[Timsar]

pics please