Pre-Model 10

[rchall]

Saw a Pre-Model 10 recently for sale. S prefix gun with a long
action. Seller said he believes it to be unfired and it looks it
although there is a small area of pitting on the underside. No
box, tools, etc. just the gun. Grips numbered to gun and all
original. 38 spec. with 5" barrel and one-line address with
patent numbers on top of barrel. What would be a fair price
to offer for this gun considering its condition?

 

[hsguy]

The gun sounds like an interesting transition model. There are enough of these around that collectors would want a pristine example so the pitting puts it in the shooter class. I would value the gun at $250-$300 as a nice shooter. I think that these guns are a bargain, if you try to buy a new gun of comparable quality (if there are any) you could expect to pay at least double that price.

 

[rchall]

Thanks hsguy! The seller is in the $450 range right now, but I
thought that might be high considering the corrosion on it and
the fact that it lacks a box and other goodies. He's had it for
sale for awhile, but I just can't see paying that much for it.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I've seen plenty (and sold at least one) in near-mint condition for under$450.

 

[Art Doc]

A nice one is $300 or so. Corrosion does not a nice one make. Seller is dreaming. Tell him to wake up and offer him $200.

 

[rchall]

OK SaxonPig! Don't know if he'll bite, but worth a try. Thanks!

 

[jlynch34]

Bought a Pre-Model 10 with 2" barrel about three months ago and gave $230 for it. No corrosion but some wear on the end of the barrel. They are very well built guns and they shoot good.

Jerry

 

[Dragon88]

I paid $260 for my Pre-10, probably a tad high but I wanted it and I love shooting it, so it was a good purchase. This guy wants way too much.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
I paid about two months ago on a hardly fired pre-10 $330. Barely a turn line with original grips. Its a 4 inch barrel. They are classic revolvers but there a lot of them out there and I don't consider many of them collectors. I would offer $250 to $275 for a shooter and maybe $350 for a unfired in a box one.

Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[jlynch34]

Hi,
I paid about two months ago on a hardly fired pre-10 $330. Barely a turn line with original grips. Its a 4 inch barrel. They are classic revolvers but there a lot of them out there and I don't consider many of them collectors. I would offer $250 to $275 for a shooter and maybe $350 for a unfired in a box one.

Good luck,
roaddog28

I agree with roaddog28 that is about the right price for the pre-10's. The few I shot were all good.

Jerry

 

[Norton 750]

In the 200-250 range I buy them. 250 to 275 I start to lose interest, but depending on condition, history and "stuff" with the gun I may still be a buyer. Above 275, it would have to be just right....

 

[4011]

Explain Pre model 10 please. Mother in law gave me the old mans 38spl. It has no model number like I know of. You go by the serial number ?

 

[Buford57]

Explain Pre model 10 please. Mother in law gave me the old mans 38spl. It has no model number like I know of. You go by the serial number ?

Serial number would be a big help, taken from the butt of the pistol, include any letters, but you can replace the last 2 or 3 numbers with Xs if you want. Also 5 or 6 shot, fixed or adjustable sights and is there a shroud around the ejector rod?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum, 325w.

S&W started stamping the model numbers on their firearms in 1957. Before that, they all had names.

Thus, a Military & Police revolver built between 1945 and 1957, without a model number stamped on the frame, is called a pre Model 10.

I assume that the weapon you have is a six shot, medium frame .38 special. The serial number is stamped on the butt and would have a letter prefix, such as "S", "C", or "D", to be post WW II.

 

[4011]

model 10

Thanks, the one in question serial number is 27311x there is a C on the butt also ?? Also have the Victory model i would like a DOB on also 37854x I bought the V for my older brother in the 70's for his liquor store. was told then it was carried by a pilot in ww II wrong grips i know for sure. I'm not able to post pictures. sorry but thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Muley Gil]

Serial number C27311x would have been shipped around 1953.

V37854x was shipped between 1942 and 1945. Many Navy and Marine Corps pilots were issued .38 special Victory models.

 

[4011]

Markings

Were all the armed forces Victory model weapons marked U.S.Property ? This one has no markings.

 

[scha]

The first 65,000 revolvers for the US Navy were marked "US NAVY" on the topstrap. After that batch, the markings for military revolvers had the "US PROPERTY GHD" marking. Most of these were also issued to the US Navy, but some were US Army issue. There were also quite a number of 38 Special "Victory" models that were issued to civilians (plant guards, police, etc) and these have the same military style and finish, but no markings on the top strap.

Hope this helps.

Steve