Identify a S&W .38 special revolver

[Anna's Dad]

Can someone identify this S&W .38 special revolver and possibly provide an approximate value? If you can't read it, it says "38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG." on the barrel. Frame states:
MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

It's not mine so I don't have access to the gun. I can try to get more info if needed, but if the pic will suffice that would be great.

Here is the picture: http://s691.photobucket.com/albums/vv278/Annas_Dad/

Thanks in advance.

 

[bluetopper]

Open the cylinder and look on the frame under the barrel and tell us the model number.
Looks like a 10-? Just guessing.

The pic is dark but it looks like new. Is it?

 

[Anna's Dad]

I actually don't have access to the gun. It's a pic of one someone is selling locally. Just trying to know what is is/worth so I can make an offer.

I'll call the guy and ask questions, but I'm not even sure what to ask since I don't know much about revolvers. I'm guessing he doesn't either since he didn't post any real info other than what I indicated.

Thanks again.

 

[22lr]

Looks likes a Model 10 I have only I have a round butt. But that's just a guess.

 

[Oro]

It appears to be a 70s vintage Model 10 M&P (could be very early 80s, too). It appears to be in very good or excellent shape - you should do a check-out as per the sticky in the forum to verify mechanical condition. If it passes that, have no worries. These have been in continuous production since 1899 with very few, and minor, modifications.

As to value, it could go from $275 to $400 depending upon your local demand and market. $300 would be a good price to get that one home. You can find comparison prices by searching gunbroker. Yes, you can shoot +p in it (this is always the next question!).

 

[Brian Williams]

Oro is right, offer $250

 

[XavierBreath]

I went ahead and copied the pic here. It appears to be a Model 10-5, in pretty good condition. Pinned tapered barrel with a ramped front sight. Original grips.

Value around here would be around $250-$275.

 

[Anna's Dad]

Thanks all. I'll make an offer based on your feedback.

 

[RippinSVT]

I know some of those old Model 10's were made for Brazilian (?) military export, possibly hence the latin script.

 

[isp2605]

The "latin script" had nothing to do with Brazilian export.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS was is common legal language that S&W stamped on all their guns meaning Registered Tradenames. It's sort of akin when you see "Patent Pending" or a copyright stamp. It's just a legal term and does not denote foreign import. People see that marking on S&W and come up with all kinds of stories. Another story uninformed will tell is they are Spanish knock offs of S&Ws. I saw a dealer at a gun show using that line on a guy who was trading him a S&W 66-nothing. The dealer was trying to rob the guy by telling him it really wasn't a S&W but a Spanish knock off because of the wording.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Marcas Regstradas does indeed mean registered trademark. It was an effort by Smith & Wesson to combat counterfeit guns made in Spain. Without the Spanish language trademark claim, their patents and trademark were harder to protect in Spain and Latin America. That's all it means. Colt didn't feel the need to do it.