Worn Model 10-6, seeking date of mfg & opinions on cerakote/parkerizing etc options

[Jboogie]

Jboogie - going back to the hammer and trigger make sure you ren wax those also. Glad no rust under the grips. Great NYPD connection. What state are you in - interesting to know the guns travels.
Your T grip should be coming along in a few months based on my last order (8 months) and what I read on the forum. You won’t get any communication from them or be able to contact them. They will just show up one day.
As to your Security Six - as you noted grips for 150 series hard to find. This is the only company I could find that makes them:

150 Series Archives - Texas Grips

Thanks Baxter. As far as the gun traveling, I purchased it from a shooting range local here in Columbus, Ohio. So it seemingly did travel a bit. It would be interesting to learn how it got there. I suspect as another user said, the officer has probably since passed away and a family member (who clearly doesn't have an interest in shooting) hocked it.

Which would be the same case for THIS specimen I found at a different gun shop near me. I was perusing the ammo inventory at this shop when I saw tucked waaay back in the shadows of their used gun case, a tag that said "BYF 43". Me being a military/milsurp history guy, I immediately perked up and asked to see it. It was this essentially pristine BYF (the code Mauser used to manufacture guns during nazi occupation) P38 with 1943 stamps, no import marks. The only problem with it is that someone had the idea to etch a long number into the slide... I figured it was still worth snagging for the cool factor. They had it listed for $420, but this was during a 20% used gun deal they had to clear out some of their inventory, so I got it for about $360.

I posted it on the P38 forums and someone there pointed out the numbers were a Social Security Number. One thing led to another, and I learned that the SSN belonged to a WWII veteran. He was drafted, spent time in the European Theatre in 1944-1945, and a paystub I got from a records request showing him discharged and living in the same city as the one I live in and where I bought the gun. So, I think this individual acquired the P38 while serving in Europe, brought it back in his pack, and at some point used an electric pencil or something similar to put his SSN on the gun as I learned was apparently common back in the day, sometimes even encouraged by police for the event the gun is ever stolen and recovered... and years later it ended up in this gun store's used gun inventory and treated like an old piece of junk. I'll take better care of it.

Sorry for the unrelated diatribe, it's just interesting to me how some gun's have histories.

 

[bobsguns]

I hear what you all are saying on not messing with the finish. Especially when you add in that I'd probably pay nearly what I paid for the gun to have anything halfway decent done, it probably doesn't make much sense.

I would at least get a quote from Turnbull's on a refinish job, their cheapest one. Or even Smith. At least then you'd know how much it'd be.

 

[MajorD]

I would at least get a quote from Turnbull's on a refinish job, their cheapest one. Or even Smith. At least then you'd know how much it'd be.

From my perspective it will be too much. Refinish jobs of highest quality are expensive! I agree leave it alone, with the character of the life it has lived

 

[Doug M.]

Unless there is a need for a refinish of some kind to protect the revolver, it is almost certainly a poor use of money.

 

[ColoCoug]

The only problem with it is that someone had the idea to etch a long number into the slide...

I posted it on the P38 forums and someone there pointed out the numbers were a Social Security Number.

That's a great story, but I would politely suggest that you either remove the photo with the numbers on the slide or obscure them before posting. It's not a great idea to have the gent's SSN visible on the Internet. Unfortunate, but that's the world of today.

Thanks for telling the story.

 

[Malkovich]

Worn Model 10-6, seeking date of mfg & opinions on cerakote/parkerizing etc options

Hi all,

I was at my local range and while walking towards the door, I made that fatal mistake I always make, meandering by their used gun counter. I saw this S&W Model 10-6 buried deep under the glass. I asked to see it, the lockup feels pretty tight and the trigger moves and breaks smoothly. I think it has the heavy bull barrel, and Pachmayr (I think) grips that feel good in the hand. The downside is the gun has lost the bluing almost completely near the muzzle and has quite a few spots where paint is worn off, and a couple specs of what looks like rust/pitting on the ejector rod. I left it behind and made it to my car, started pondering in the driver seat and made the rash decision to go back for it.

The serial number is D492418. Does anyone know approximately when it was manufactured/sold based on that?

Second, I'll shoot the gun and function check it this weekend. Assuming all is well, does anyone have any recommendations on putting a new finish on it, say parkerizing or a cerakote job? I'm assuming getting a gun reblued isn't worthwhile for what can't be more than a shooter-grade wheelgun. Has anyone made a similar re-finish attempt and would you recommend it?

Any insight is appreciated, thank you all! I'm still breaking in the 19-4 I just snagged like a month ago, already back in the doghouse buying more wheelguns

Very nice 10, the wear adds to its appeal. What did get it for ? I’m thinking of selling my 10-8 HB.

 

[Major 2]

I'm with Hapworth and K Frame Keith keep it original and get K frame grips.
Use Ballistol to clean and preserve, and @ $300 I had been on it
in heartbeat.
https://ballistol.com/