Pinned, HB Model 10-6

[kennethdlarson]

So I bit and bought one of the recent Bud's Model 10s they have advertised for $269. I got it in about 10 days ago. The finish is about 50-60% with significant surface rust underneath the crappy rubber euro grips that were on it. I chunked those ASAP!

The side plate is beat to hell and gouged. I went over the entire revolver with a Big 45 scouring pad to clean off the rust. I did go to Gun Parts Corp and ordered a used set of walnut grips and a new MIM cylinder stop as there is a bit of play with the original one (nothing too crazy, but I'd like to swap the old one out with the new sometime to see if it tightens things up).

The cool thing is is that it has German proof marks on the barrel/frame and the serial number was re-stamped on the left side of the top strap. It has the German nitro stamp (Eagle over an "N") and the Ulm (antler) proof house mark with a stamped "73". It is definitely a shooter grade revolver but as I've been stationed in Germany before, the proof marks are a definite bonus!

I have a new truck gun!

 

[ColbyBruce]

The S&W 10/64 revolvers will do most anything a man needs it to do in the CONUS.

 

[TNZ71]

Congratulations! Don't hold back let's see some pics!

 

[Texas Star]

I hope those Euro grips you threw out weren't Trautsch (sp?) brand. Those aren't cheap and are supposedly good stuff.

The designer/owner died and I don't think they're now made.

Many departments in France used them, maybe in Germany, too.

 

[kennethdlarson]

Sorry for the delay - here are some images of the 10-6 with the proof marks and the grips that came with it. I think I did OK.

 

[KEN L]

Beauty is in the eye of.........

 

[ABPOS]

It's beautiful. Those grips / stocks are ugly. LOL.

 

[kennethdlarson]

I cleaned the revolver up tonight and the barrel and chambers came out beautiful and drama free. Definitely a well used but not abused piece. There is some stacking on the DA pull but the SA release is nice. Just awaiting a grip screw for my mismatched magnas (left panel is plain but the right panel is a diamond stock) to complete the German import of 1970's Springfield lineage....

 

[dwcopple]

So would you recommend ordering one? I'm on the fence. The testimonies on Buds page are hit & miss.

 

[ABPOS]

Stacking, on a smith? Huh.

 

[Marlin57M]

So would you recommend ordering one? I'm on the fence. The testimonies on Buds page are hit & miss.

I also purchased one of the 10-6's from Bud's for $270 and would recommend as a shooter. About 70% on finish - honest wear and no abuse. Gun is tight and shoots great. Came with the Trausch grips. First time I have experienced these grips. While they are a little odd looking, they are very effective when shooting heavier loads. I understand the designer was French and passed in 2012, with grips in demand by some. I like them.
For the price, a great shooter.

 

[Texas Star]

It's beautiful. Those grips / stocks are ugly. LOL.

Those are genuine Trautsch grips. Supposed to be very comfortable and control recoil well.

Used by French and other Euro police in S&W and MR-73 revolvers, maybe on Rugers, too.

Oops: I was still typing when Post No. 11 was made.

 

[Absalom]

Jacques Trausch was indeed a French manufacturer. The OP's gun is a bit of a oddity. The proofs are definitely German Ulm proofs from 1973, and the gun looks to have had a heavy-duty service life typical of Bud's deals on revolvers in that price range. But I'm pretty well-versed in the history of German police weaponry particularly in the 1970s; departments there don't buy their own guns, it's a state adoption and acquisition, and no German state issued revolvers for regular service at that time (or ever, voluntarily; the post-war Victorys dictated by the occupation powers were a much-resented exception).

So this is either a special order for one of the nascent SWAT-type units that emerged in West Germany after the Olympics disaster of 1972, who could get whatever guns they wanted to try, and did use quite a few revolvers; it could also be from a private security firm; or it could simply have been imported through a German distributor, requiring proofing in the first European country it entered, and then moved on to France; the French grips would support that.

Interesting to contemplate.

 

[kennethdlarson]

dwcopple,
Yes, I would recommend getting one - just realize it'll strictly be a shooter. Hit it with a Frontier Big 45 cleaner and your favorite CLP and then enjoy. It seems like BGS has been shipping out some pretty interesting ones the past couple of weeks.

 

[RMFnLA]

I cleaned the revolver up tonight and the barrel and chambers came out beautiful and drama free.

There is some stacking on the DA pull but the SA release is nice.

Cleaning the inside might clear this up if you didn't get that far.

 

[palmetto99]

I purchased a 581 a few years back that had odd proof marks. Found out through S&W that they were West German.

 

[kennethdlarson]

So I finally was able to shoot it today. I put 20 rounds of Magtech 158 gr FMJ and ~40 rounds of my home-rolled 158 gr Extreme plated non+P and +P Winchester 572 loads thru it. I can see why people over the years have enjoyed shooting Model 10s. It is combat accurate if you do your part when shooting double action.

 

[crazyphil]

I've had my 10-6 HB for going on 20 years now. The longer I have it,
the more I like it. I also have a 10-5 with a 2" barrel. Like it too.
Here they are:

 

[Warren Sear]

Here is my 10-6 with nicely figured walnut Nill target grips that I re-modeled into combats of my liking.

 

[shouldazagged]

That's some fine walnut.