[DouglasW]

I just picked up a 1974-era S&W Model 10-6 s/n D6635xx. It's in nice shape (passed the revolver check-out (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430) with flying colors) but has bluing wear consistent with lots of holster carry, and I noticed what looks like "IHP" engraved on the left side of the frame just above the trigger. Anyone definitively know what agency this is from: Illinois Highway Patrol? Iowa? Indiana? etc.

Not worth the money to get it lettered from S&W, just curious.

Thanks

[ugaarguy]

DouglasW, congrats on the new revolver purchase. IHP is probably the Highway Partrol for one of the states you list, perhaps someone with definite knowledge will know which one. It sounds like you've a got a great shooter that's already broken in with some finish charecter. As Old Fuff says "pretty doesn't make it shoot better." Let us know how it shoots once you get it to the range and post a pic or two if you're able. Enjoy that old workhorse S&W.

[DouglasW]

Thanks. I'd always heard great things about S&W triggers -- but, wow, this revolver's trigger is as smooth as ice. My only other Smith is a 642, so that doesn't count. Can't wait to get this old Model 10 to the range!

BTW ugaarguy, after staring at your username it dawned on me: Are you a bulldog by any chance? Hope not! -- I'm a Tech guy, myself. Go Jackets! :D .

[JMACDONALD]

Congrats on the new model 10. However I don't think that it was Illinois, they were the first state police agency to go to autos in the late 60's (original S&W model 39 9mm). It must be Idaho, Indiana, or Iowa. - mac

[DouglasW]

Thanks Mac, that narrows it down by 25% (I'd forgot about Idaho, too). If anyone can eliminate one more agency, that might leave me with a 50/50 chance of guessing right.

Anyone know which of the "I" states still had "highway patrols" vs. "state police" in the early 70s?

[ugaarguy]

DouglasW,

Once a dawg, ALWAYS A DAWG! How sweet it is! So, yes, I'm having a bad football season :( .

Now, about those triggers. My first S&W was an M&P that Old Fuff and Xavier helped me pin down as a 1947 "Transitional Model." It has the old pre-war long trigger with the post war metallurgy and hammer block. That's a sweet shootin revolver. I've picked up a couple newer (1950s K-22, and early 70 M66) S&Ws since, and they're also great shooters, even with the short trigger. All three of those revolvers were bought or traded for in the last year. So you be careful with that M10; K-Frames are addictive.

[DouglasW]

Yup on the addiction, uga...I'm already looking around locally for a K-22 :rolleyes:

A local gunshop has this one:

http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976763151-1.jpg

but at double the price I just paid high for the Model 10...and it has a 6" barrel (I think I'd prefer 4" to stay consistent with the 10...were K-22s were even available in 4"?)

And sorry to hear about the Dawgs....I'm sure you have other redeeming qualities :p

[DouglasW]

Just got back from putting a hundred rounds of 158gr .38 through my new-to-me 10-6 at the range. Wow. Just wow. There is something special about this old fixed-sights duty revolver -- I even hit what I aim at ...:p

[ugaarguy]

DouglasW, glad to hear you had a good range trip. Those old M-10s with fixed sights and 158gr rounds seem to magically hover on the target and hit don't they?

Re: Your K-22 bbl length questions from your previous post. A little back ground. Before 1957, when S&W went to model #s, the M10 was known as the M&P. Due to target shooter demand the K-38, K-32, and K-22 Target Masterpiece revolvers were introduced. These had the micrometer click rear sight and partride front blade like the one in the pic you posted. Most had 6" bbls. After demand from various LE agencies, notably the FBI and LAPD, K-38 and K-22 Combat Masterpiece were introduced. The combat versions had a Baughman ramp front sight to ease in draw and holstering, and generally had 4" bbls. After 1957 the M&P became the M10, the K-38s were numbered 14 (Target) and 15 (Combat) though there are examples where guns had opposite bbl and sights than what the # would indicate. The K-22s became the M17 (Target) and M18 (Combat). I do not know believe the K-32 was ever offered in Combat form, nor do I believe it was made after the change to the numberng scheme. I could be wrong, so best to consult "The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Jim Supica. It may be hard to get right now as the 3rd edition of the SCSW is out of print and the 4th edition is due for release soon. In the meantime take a look at the FAQs in the revolver forums at www.smith-wessonforum.com.

Forgive the long answer, but yes a K-22 or M18 should not be hard to find in the 4" bbl configuration mentioned above. I noticed the K-22 in the pic appears to have original S&W target stocks. The target stocks are getting hard to find and quite collectable, esp. if original to the gun. If the price is good and budget allows that might be a nice Target K-22 to go with a Combat version. Have fun hunting the K-22 that's just what you want.

Edit: The K-22 in the picture appears to be a 5 screw model - one screw at the front of the trigger guard, and four on the sideplate, the last sideplate screw will be at the top back of the frame covered by the grips. The 5 screw models are also more desireable than the 3 and 4 screw variants.

[XavierBreath]

Another shooter discovers the joys of the Model 10. I tell ya, it's gonna become a cult rivaling the cults of 1911 and Glock! The Model 10 is a classic shooter. It really can't get much better, just fancier and more expensive.

Ugaarguy is dead on. The 22 revolver you seek is the Model 18 Combat Masterpiece. It will have an adjustable rear sight, a ramp front sight, and a four inch barrel. It's weight matches the weight of a loaded K-38 Combat Masterpiece. Summit Guns clearanced a bunch of Model 18-4s at $365 (http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/09/model-18s-at-summit-gun-broker.html) last month. I kinda wish I had bought one.

The K-22 in your photos is a five screw gun, meaning it is pre-1957. Unfortunately the grips are not original, or they would have uncheckered diamonds around the screw estrucheon. Still, it's a great gun, and if the price is right, it would be a potential candidate. What would be a good price? Well K-22 prices are all over the map, and the go up steeply for original pristine condition guns. This one is a shooter. A fair price would be around $350. You will rarely see a K-22 priced under $400 anymore, but shooter K-22s still sell for $350 or so. I recently bought my second K-22, a Model 17-4 (http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/smith-wesson-model-17-4.html). I paid $400 for it. I searched years to find my first K-22, because I wanted to pay under $250 for one. I finally found one for $199 (http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/03/pawn-shop-circuit-k-22.html), but I wasted several years looking when I could have been shooting. Don't make that mistake. They sell for around $400 because they are worth that, really more. You will shoot it a lot. A whole lot. It willteach you how to shoot S&W wheelies with precision. You will shoot all your handguns better as a result of shooting the K-22 so much. Yep, it's worth the money.

Welcome to the wonderful world of quality Smith & Wessons!

[DouglasW]

Thanks for the advice, XB. Yep, I'm a proud new member of the Model 10 cult

You are right on the money about the K-22 pictured above. It is listed at $395 at a local gunshop -- their prices are sometimes flexible, but I think I'm going keep looking for a shooter (not safe queen) Model 18 instead. My other revolvers are all 4" and less, so I'd rather have that length barrel in a .22.

Here's a snapshot of my new-to-me 10-6. It's got a few miles on it...and I love it :D

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=46462&stc=1&d=1161056328

[DouglasW]

One more question, Xavier [or anyone else, of course]

Since this revolver is certainly a shooter and the hogues fit my hand well I'll probably keep them...but just supposing I was wandering around a gunshow with a few extra dollars in my pocket...what would be the correct original grips for a 1974 era 10-6?

Thanks!

[jibjab]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=44287&d=1157253843

Hey Douglas, the Pic shows some original wood for a mod 10-5 not sure about your 10-6, I put some S&W k-frame target grips on mine and I am most pleased .

http://http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=227858

[DouglasW]

Oooooh pretty. :eek:

Thanks for posting that photo, Jibjab. What dash/year is that Model 10...I noticed it has a different front sight than my 10-6?

[XavierBreath]

Correct grips would be magnas with no diamond, such as these below. They are all over ebay, and usually sell in the $15-20 range. A decent gunshow price for a set would be ten bucks assuming they were in good condition. Don't expect them to automatically fit. S&W grips are handfitted prior to bluing the gun. You will have to fit them a bit.

http://www.bayourovers.com/SmithWessonM10-4.jpg

[jibjab]

Here is the Mod 10-5 with the k-frame target grips :)
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