Don't tell me the bargains on classic S&Ws aren't out there.

[The Real Hawkeye]

Picked up this mint condition pre-1981 Model 10-5 with pinned lightweight barrel and original box for $319. Heck, you can't get a current production Model 10 for less than $500, and they're not nearly as well made as the old pre-81s. I bet they all have a key hole in them too. Needless to say, I'm feeling pretty good.

 

[MCgunner]

Wow, nice find!

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Can you believe it? Original box. The gun looks unfired. I think it was purchased, left in the box, placed on the top shelf of someone's closet and forgotten for 30 years or so.

 

[BigG]

Hey!

You didn't get any extra high caps with that pistola, man!

Seriously, good find! They are out there if you are looking and carrying the green stuff.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Thanks. Now my S&W Mod 22 (.45 ACP) has the little brother he's always wanted.

 

[jad0110]

RH,

Man, those are some NICE wheelies! I agree about the new Model 10. The blueing isn't really blue, more like black nail polish . Two of my Smiths were bought new, both stainless for that reason.

Anyway, very nice Model 10 and 22. A well worn but functional Model 10 for less than $200 is something I may pick up, one day.

Thanks for sharing the pics!

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Can anyone tell me when it was made? Serial number is C9560XX.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Man, those are some NICE wheelies!

Thanks.

Anyway, very nice Model 10 and 22. A well worn but functional Model 10 for less than $200 is something I may pick up, one day.

You mean like this?

 

[samtechlan]

Great looking gun. Can one shoot +P in that model 10?

 

[XavierBreath]

Can anyone tell me when it was made? Serial number is C9560XX

Very likely 1966.

That's a beautiful Model 10 Hawkeye! Only one thing......if the serial, and therefore my dating of the gun is correct, the grips likely are not original. The C serialed Model 10s have diamond magnas. The diamond was deleted in 1968. I could be wrong. Pull the grips and see if the correct serial number is stamped inside one of them. If it is, then I am incorrect. As it stands though, I suspect your grips have been replaced. I hope I am wrong......It doesn't make sense on such a nice boxed gun, but maybe a dog chewed up the original grips or something.... It's still a darned nice gun!

Can one shoot +P in that model 10?

Yes.

 

[MCgunner]

Great looking gun. Can one shoot +P in that model 10?

I think 1957 and newer are +P rated? That vintage, no problem, and frankly I wouldn't worry about +P in an older M10 that's in good functional condition. They're strong medium frame revolvers. Even if the metalurgy is less than modern in the older guns, the frames are beefy. I might want to limit the hot stuff in an older gun, though.

Hey, anyone who likes wheel guns should own a M10. It is the standard for DA revolvers.

 

[10-Ring]

I've seen a few lately....I think they come in waves & if you're not in the right place to see them, you're just a little outta luck

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

That's a beautiful Model 10 Hawkeye! Only one thing......if the serial, and therefore my dating of the gun is correct, the grips likely are not original. The C serialed Model 10s have diamond magnas. The diamond was deleted in 1968. I could be wrong. Pull the grips and see if the correct serial number is stamped inside one of them. If it is, then I am incorrect. As it stands though, I suspect your grips have been replaced. I hope I am wrong.

You had me shook up for a minute, there, Xavier, but I am very happy and relieved to tell you that I just took the grips off and the serial number engraved in type style numerals on the inside of the grip matches that on the frame of the gun. It's all original. Must be some mistake with your facts.

 

[XavierBreath]

I can't dispute that Hawkeye! That's why I suggested you check!

It's possible that the frame was made and serialed in 1966-67, but it was not finished, gripped and shipped until 1968 or later. This is one that only Roy Jinks knows for certain.

I rechecked my dates........1966-67=C810533-C999999
The diamond was deleted from the grips in 1968.
Seems you are at the begginning of one and the end of the other!

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Thanks, Xavier, but it seems unlikely that someone would go to any trouble to duplicate a Model 10 from 1966. It would cost more to fabricate than the gun's market value would justify. Interesting link, though. Thanks.

 

[XavierBreath]

What I am saying, Hawkeye, is that the gun is absolutely proper.

It's not uncommon to find S&W guns that shipped outside of the serial number/date ranges. Often the frames were forged, cut and serialed, and then used as orders were placed. On these guns the lockwork and cylinders were fitted to the frame, then the grips. The grips were then removed, one of them stamped with the serial and screwed together, and the gun was off to be blued. Once blued, the grips were reattached.

Thus, the frame could have been manufactured and serialed, and then left sitting for a year before grips were ever fitted to it. The C prefix serial is likely misleading, and the gun likely shipped in 1968.

Again though, only Roy can say for certain.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Often the frames were forged

Again, why would anyone forge this frame.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Look. Someone has the same exact gun for sale at GunsAmerica for $500.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976670171.htm

 

[XavierBreath]

I know where there is a LNIB S&W M&P with the box, docs, the wax paper, and perhaps a brush. It's a five inch transitional. It's been on a dealer's shelf priced at $500 for over a year.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Yes, and the one on GA will probably be there for a while too, unless he's willing to bargain down (which I'm sure he is). Didn't actually say it had sold for that much, just that someone had one for sale for that much. Blue Book says $400, but the box will add a premium. Not likely a hundred dollar premium. But no one pays asking price for guns on these sites.