Smith Model 10-5 no logo

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OldSchool88

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Hi all,

Just got my first Smith and it's a Model 10-5. I understand this model is made from 1962 - 1977 I think (I could be wrong if so please correct me). But there is something about this gun. It's either in REALLY good shape for it's age or it's been refinished. Owner I bought it from said he bought it this way and hardly shot it. I believe it's hardly been shot at all if the condition is original.

However! My big question is this: There is no logo on either the side plate or the left side beneath the cylinder catch... so is there supposed to be one at all or was it removed during a refinish job?

Thanks for the help.

O by the way the serial number starts with C620XXX if someone could help date it please?

Thanks all
 
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Welcome! The serial number puts it as a late 1962 or early 1963 ship date. It should have a large sideplate logo, so the possibilities are a refinish or a factory error. Photos would be helpful here.
 
And you expect an answer to your question without pic(s) to look at???

this_thread_is_worthless_without_pics.gif


RLee-1.jpg


:D
 
OldSchool88 said:
. . . My big question is this: There is no logo on either the side plate or the left side beneath the cylinder catch... so is there supposed to be one at all or was it removed during a refinish job?

O by the way the serial number starts with C620XXX if someone could help date it please?
Click to expand...

I believe a large S&W logo should have appeared on the sideplate and was simply overlooked. I have one shipped in 1966 shipped without a logo. Would estimate it shipped in mid-1963.

Russ
 
linde said:
I believe a large S&W logo should have appeared on the sideplate and was simply overlooked. I have one shipped in 1966 shipped without a logo. Would estimate it shipped in mid-1963.

Russ
Click to expand...

Send it back under warranty, it's defective :)

Love to see some pictures.
 
Here are some pictures







So the idea is my side plate made it out of the factory with out a logo? Possible. I like this idea because it means maybe the gun is original. On the other hand the gun could have been refinished. But I hope that's not the case. If you'd like more detailed pictures of other parts of the gun please ask and I will try to do my best.
 
Doesn't look like a refinish. Also, if the sideplate has been off, it was done by somebody who knew the right procedure and had the right tools. The grips look a little beat for the overall condition of the gun. Are they numbered to match? According to SCSW, 1962 production.
I'd call it a factory goof. enjoy it.
 
Tupperware said:
Doesn't look like a refinish. Also, if the sideplate has been off, it was done by somebody who knew the right procedure and had the right tools. The grips look a little beat for the overall condition of the gun. Are they numbered to match? According to SCSW, 1962 production.
I'd call it a factory goof. enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Well I did take the grips off and the serial number on the grips match the gun. So the grips are original. I will be calling Smith and Wesson to find out what can be done. I'd love a second plate with the logo on it and have both. :D
 
OldSchool88 said:
I'd love a second plate with the logo on it and have both. :D
Click to expand...
Good luck with that :(
Technically, the sideplate is unique and is fit to the individual frame during assembly. I'd say there is little chance S&W will do anything for you in this regard. If you can find a spare sideplate from a close serial range, I have found that they interchange anywhere from reasonably well to nearly impossible to tell. Just depends. You can damage the frame and/or the sideplate trying, though. I'd leave it alone.
 
Tupperware said:
Good luck with that :(
Technically, the sideplate is unique and is fit to the individual frame during assembly. I'd say there is little chance S&W will do anything for you in this regard. If you can find a spare sideplate from a close serial range, I have found that they interchange anywhere from reasonably well to nearly impossible to tell. Just depends. You can damage the frame and/or the sideplate trying, though. I'd leave it alone.
Click to expand...

Well if I don't ask it's a definite no. So I thought I'd mention it here. Thanks for the info.
 
Why bother? The gun is unique as it is. I'd leave it alone and just enjoy it. But, that's just me. Oh, by the way, Gunny and the gang thank you for the pics! :D
 
I like that the gun is unique I was just excited about my first Smith and having that big shield on the side. But just by the pictures (and sometimes pictures are hard to judge by) you guys think it's in original shape? No refinish? If so then it's had low (VERY low) round count. There is hardly a wear mark on the cylinder from turning and hardly and brass coloring or impressions left around the firing pin.
 
That doesn't look like a re-finished gun. As wiser heads have suggested, I'd just enjoy an unusual find. And shoot it. A lot. If I could find any .38 Special ammo.
 
Got an idea. On the new smith and wesson model 10 from the classic line of guns there is no logo in the picture on the side plate. What if my side plate was replaced for what ever reason? The bluing would not match though but it does. And you all seem to think it was not refinished. Just kicking around ideas hoping to settle on one.
 
The sideplate looks original and not messed with, so I'd opt to leave it alone. You could get an S & W logo sticker for it if the absence really bothers you ;) .
 
Well I thought with some of the people local here that have had a chance to handle the weapon and look it over closely there has been a lot of "refinished" and "not refinished" talk. No certain answers. I've seen most here think it's the original finish but I thought I might ad some more detailed photos. Might help some with the debate. Every time I am answered with a "it's been refinished" they point out why and I start to wonder maybe.... maybe not.















What do you think now with some close ups? Has any of your minds changed or do you still think it's original?
 
From the photos - the finish is very uniform, the metal underneath is undamaged, the seam of the sideplate is very tight, the metal edges are not rounded, the hammer and trigger are case-colored and unworn, and the stampings are clear. All these point to an original finish.

If you look at the stampings with a 10X magnifying glass, the edges should look slightly raised. Any polishing, no matter how careful, will take the raised edges off.
 
I was told (by someone who seemed to care less and had a bad attitude and poor customer service at a local shop) that in the first picture there is a difference in color indicating a rebluing. He also pointed out the color difference in the bluing in the notches in the cylinder but it made sense for those to be discolored because of constant contact with the cylinder stop but I did not argue with the man. Nor did I particularly agree with him. Also... there is the high probability that the manufacturer did not let one of their guns go out the door with out their stamp on it. In my opinion not impossible. But not very high chances either.
 
I would love to try the magnifying trick but mine is in the tool box I left at the range with my boss. :(
 
OldSchool88 said:
Here are some pictures







So the idea is my side plate made it out of the factory with out a logo? Possible. I like this idea because it means maybe the gun is original. On the other hand the gun could have been refinished. But I hope that's not the case. If you'd like more detailed pictures of other parts of the gun please ask and I will try to do my best.
Click to expand...

The gun doesn't look refinished overall but I do notice a rather distinct color difference between the frame and the sideplate in the first photo. The frame looks a bit plum colored and the sideplate blue, quite noticeable where the sideplate meets the frame in front of the yoke retaining screw. Perhaps the side plate was replaced at some point.
 
Last edited:
hsguy said:
The gun doesn't look refinished overall but I do notice a rather distinct color difference between the frame and the sideplate in the first photo. The frame looks a bit plum colored and the sideplate blue, quite noticeable where the sideplate meets the frame in front of the yoke retaining screw. Perhaps the side plate was replaced at some point.
Click to expand...

It's the original side plate. I've had it apart and the numbers all match to the frame, the crane, and the inside of the side plate. Could be the angle of the picture with the flash. The gun in my hands ... the bluing is really tough to see inconsistencies between parts.
 
Here are some different pictures of the side plate. Trying my best to give a couple of different angles with the light.







 
My model 10-7 has the logo on the left side plate, below the release. Just saying because your posting allot of pics on the right side of the gun.
 
AzogNewOrleans said:
My model 10-7 has the logo on the left side plate, below the release. Just saying because your posting allot of pics on the right side of the gun.
Click to expand...

There is no logo on the other side either. And all the other 10-5 models I've seen the logo is on the right side pate. I believe if there was one it belongs there. I did see a short barreled 10-7 at the shop the other day and it had a logo below the catch but it also had different grips. Not sure how to judge this one...
 
I've spent a lot of time looking at S&W revolvers under a 10x loupe. I'm the type that just cannot enjoy a refinished gun, so for what its worth, from the pictures you posted, I really think your revolver is unmolested and shipped from the factory just as it is now.


Randy
 
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