Police Model 10-8

[Whaler64]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I just purchased my first used revolver after owning a 686 and 617 for awhile. I ended up buying what appears to be a battered Model 10-8 police trade-in. Cosmetically it's a little rough, but it "feels" tight. Since I'm not familiar with the older blue guns, I was wondering if anyone could provide some history or insight on this firearm. The serial number on the butt frame is
5D91XXX. Behind the yoke is a different 5 digit number followed by "A8". Also behind the yoke is smaller and different type, the model, 10-8.

Thanks

 

[fyimo]

The revolver was made in 1979 based on the serial number and the other numbers are manufacturing process control numbers and inspection numbers. The 10-8 is the heavy barrel model verses the tapered barrel.
Here's a Model 10-5 with tapered barrel for comarison

 

[Whaler64]

Fantastic! Thanks for the info. Any suggestions on maintenance? I'd rather not have it re-finished, as it has "character" with the scratches and worn bluing.

With the exception of a couple rifles, all my other guns are stainless or Glocks, so a worn blue finish is new to me.

 

[wharvey]

Just rub it down with a lightly oiled rag. I like Breakfree CPL but any good gun oil will work. If there is some light rust put some oil on 0000 steelwool and lightly polish. Rust should just vanish.

All my guns are blue steel, even my EDC guns. No rust! Just don't like stainless, personal taste.

 

[GyMac]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your find. The 4 inch HB Model 10 is a great gun. I just returned from the range shooting mine and it's always a pleasure. It was my first .38 Special revolver (not including a Colt DS I had as a kid). Now I have 5 Model 10's. As for my favorite, that would be my 5 inch Model 10.

 

[fyimo]

Buy some (4) 0000 steel wool or (4) OOOO bronze steel wool and add a little gun oil to it and rub it over the surfaces and that remove any oxidation. Wipe off any dust from the steel wool or bronze wool and then polish the revolver with Johnson's floor wax or Renaissance wax and it will look like new. Then spray a little gun oil on extractor rod and crane and you will be ready to go.

 

[Whaler64]

Thanks guys, I'll get her cleaned up as much as possible. I didn't mention that a couple areas (leading edges of barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, etc.) have the bluing completely rubbed off. I also noticed that the right side of the frame has more scratches then the left, which is almost like new. Seems to indicate a lot of time in a right handed shooters holster. Do the bare metal areas require any other special care besides what was described by fyimo and wharvey?

 

[bananaman]

Whaler, did you pick this up from Buds? Just curious, I got a 10-8 from them a few weeks ago. Bob

 

[sheriffoconee]

clean it and wax it....a lot of guys keep a film of oil on their blue steel guns, but for the past two years I have been using Johnsons Paste Wax and have been VERY pleased...no rust, no damage and the finish really shines....put it on just like a car, wipe it on...let it dry to a haze, wipe it off...

 

[Whaler64]

Whaler, did you pick this up from Buds? Just curious, I got a 10-8 from them a few weeks ago. Bob

Yes. It's the first used revolver I have ever purchased. For $269 I figured I'd take a chance. It is as advertised...70%-80% with good lock-up. The barrel and cylinder are exceptionally clean.

Is your serial number close? Any idea where these guns came from?

 

[bananaman]

Whaler, mine is from 1981. Came from the island! (Australia) If you have, or had a round sticker on it with VPA and a number, then that is where it came from.