Model 10 Question

[Husker_Fan]

I was in a local pawn shop to see if they had any deals and I came across a Model 10 with a prict tag of $1499. I love k-frames, but I have never heard or such an expensive model 10.

This is actually a pre-10. Tapered 4 inch barrel, blued finnish not matte or parkerized, long action, smooth stocks with silver medalions, no lanyard loop. I couldn't see the serial number on the butt, but I don't like to ask someone to take an item out of the case that is so far out of my budget.

Anyone have any ideas what this could be?

 

[clang]

Someone's idea of an April Fool's joke?

 

[Old Fuff]

Unless it has some feature(s) that you didn't mention, it's going to sit there for a long time. You can duplicate what he has for between $250 to $375 at any auction in the country

 

[Oro]

Two ideas come to mind to justify it:

1) target sights, and ANIB. Silver medallions place it in the 30's if original.

2) It's not a pre-10, but an HD or Outdoorsman, which are also .38 Special, and some casual observers confuse.

 

[Husker_Fan]

That's what I thought. This has fixed sights and is definately a K frame. What really got me is I asked the person (can't use salesperson here) behind the counter and all he would say is it is rare, and if NIB would have been a $2500 gun. It was about 90% being generous.

 

[Old Fuff]

It could be that they know very little about handguns, and when they looked it up in whatever price guide they use, their ignorence about the subject caused them to pick the wrong model. That sometimes happens more often then you'd might think - even among dealers who should know better.

Less often they make the wrong pick and underprice something.

 

[Husker_Fan]

That's part of the fun. The tag said "model 10."

This particular salesperson, I know from personal experience, has very little knowledge of firearms -- as in he believed .38 S&W was the same as .38 S&W Spcl. He said they used the other stamp on shorter barrels.

 

[Brian Dale]

...he believed .38 S&W was the same as .38 S&W Spcl. He said they used the other stamp on shorter barrels.

I'll take, "Reasons to do my research outside of that shop" for 1000...I mean for $1499, Alex.

Maybe they're smuggling diamonds in the butt.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I was bidding on a pristine 1920's pre 10 M&P, 96%, stag and silver inlay grips, target model and it went for $800.

Only thing I can think of is that it has some historical significance. Maybe J Edgar owned it at one time.

 

[yeti]

Maybe J Edgar owned it at one time.

Did it come with a size 46 Regular calico skirt? That would increase it's value, greatly.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, gotta be one of these.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...ry/inventory/rogers/handgun/927211_38_rog.jsp

 

[Phydeaux642]

Wow! $1,499 for a model 10. I've got a 1937 S&W .38-.44 Heavy Duty with a set of original Magnas I'd sell for that.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I'll bet it belonged to Elvis.

 

[Old Fuff]

Seems sort of strange that they couldn't explain to you what made this revolver so remarkable. If you go back, ask them so that we can all know...

 

[Husker_Fan]

I did ask, and all I was told is that it is rare, and if in perfect condition it would be a $2500 gun.

I thought it was a bit odd.

 

[Old Fuff]

I see....

Would it be too much to ask exactly which "rare" model/version it is? They must have some basis for their opinion. $1,499 (plus sales tax ) is a lot of bucks to lay down on the counter without some evidence to show why it's so valuable.

 

[Husker_Fan]

I get in there from time to time. I'll take a camera next time and ask if I can take a couple of snap shots.