Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub Nose

egraypitt · January 29, 2013, 03:24 PM

I have had a Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose for many years. It is stamped Smith & Wesson on the left side of barrel, and .38 S.&W. SPL on the right side. It has the official S & W logo below the cylinder release on the left side and is marked on the right front Made In USA, Springfield, Mass. The S/N is on the butt and is 451227. I would like to obtain an owner's manual for the gun, as well as, know the date of manufacture. Also, current market value would be appreciated (conditon 8 out of 10). Can anyone help?

carguychris · January 29, 2013, 03:55 PM

Does the serial number have an alphabetical prefix, and is the gun actually stamped "MOD 10-x" (where "x" is a single-digit number) inside the cylinder yoke cut?

If the gun is marked with the model number, it should have a "C" or "D" prefix before the 6-digit number; this prefix is considered part of the serial and is essential to correctly verifying the age. No-prefix, V-prefix, S-prefix, and low C-prefix guns should not be model number stamped. (FWIW V-prefix guns may have the "V" on the opposite side of the lanyard loop hole or lanyard loop plug.)

Are you looking for a period-correct manual or simply ANY manual? The "Revolvers - Modern Style" PDF manual on the S&W website is adequate if you don't care about the manual's provenance.

Re: value, please post pictures- it's hard to accurately judge condition based on a description, and these guns often have modifications or refinishing that affects the collector value.

Buzzcook · January 29, 2013, 03:57 PM

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...01-30-2011.pdf

An 80% gun is not going to have great value. But if you find someone that just really really wants a snubbie you might get $400. Otherwise $250 or less.

Viper225 · January 30, 2013, 03:06 AM

In my area the 80% model will probably be $400 for a 2" Snub. In very clean condition more like $450 to $500 Retail.
In my area Model 10 and 15 Snubs are not on the shelf very often.

I put $600 in a very likely unfired 15 Snub a while back with no box or papers. That was probably too much money for it, however how often do you come across a new 15 Snub that is 30+ years old.

Bob

sarge83 · January 30, 2013, 10:04 AM

They are going for $325 to $350 in my neck of the woods. But they do not seem to be moving at my local gun/pawn establishment.

**Mike Irwin** · January 30, 2013, 10:54 AM

How about a picture?

I don't have my guides in front of me right now, but a snub in that serial number range would make it a pretty early snub.

carguychris · January 30, 2013, 11:14 AM

^^^ Mike: those are my thoughts exactly.

A no-prefix or V-prefix snubbie could be a legitimately rare and valuable gun IF it hasn't been refinished and/or poorly modified... and that's a big IF.

A C-prefix gun could still be an uncommon and interesting variant if it has a mix of earlier and later features, which is frequent in the low-to-mid C-series range, but value is not likely to be particularly high.

A D-prefix gun is nothing special, although they will usually sell for a slight premium over equal 4"-5"-6" guns in areas where CCW is popular.

**Mike Irwin** · January 30, 2013, 11:42 AM

I'm just wondering if it has a barrel lug for the ejector rod...

carguychris · January 30, 2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

I'm just wondering if it has a barrel lug for the ejector rod...

Ditto, but the OP's statement that the barrel rollmark reads .38 S&W SPL.- rather than .38 S&W SPECIAL CTG. or .38 S&W CTG.- suggests that the barrel is 2" original factory length.

Of course, all we can do is assume, considering that the OP hasn't checked back in yet...

**Mike Irwin** · January 30, 2013, 04:07 PM

"Ditto, but the OP's statement that the barrel rollmark reads .38 S&W SPL."

That's actually a problem, I think.

Original Model of 1905 Fourth Change snubs should have the barrel marked ".38 Special CTG" on the right as the pre-war marking.

A 400K range serial number would put it in the early 1920, I would think.

egraypitt · February 3, 2013, 04:14 PM

All your posts were fantastic. I'm not a gun novice but certainly not an expert like you fellows. I had identified my S&W .38 SPL as a Model 10 by matching it to a picture. I assumed the Model would be on the exterior of the gun, but after reading your posts I popped open the cylinder and gazamm, there is was...Mod 36. The cylinder support was stamped with the number 69982. When I looked it up, it was referred to as a "square butt" .38 SPL.
The number 451227, which I gave in my original post, was stamped on this square butt. After examining the number with a magnifying glass, it's possible there is a dash between the 5 & 1 (45-1227). Talking about butt's, I kind of feel like one now. So with this new and correct Model number and additional 6 numbers, I still have the same requests. I would like to have a manual for this gun and the date of manufacture. I apologize for causing all the trouble and will try and be more thorough in the future. Thank you all very much for you good info on bad information.

RJay · February 3, 2013, 04:42 PM

If it reads Mod 36 it is not a Model 10, it is a early J frame , Model 36, Chiefs Special. Should have 5 holes in the cylinder, Your serial number dates it to 1963-1969, I would guess 1964 or 1965. The number on the cylinder support is a assembly number and means nothing outside the factory. If you go to the S&W site, I believe you can get a manual, or Google Steves Pages and download one.

egraypitt · February 4, 2013, 12:14 PM

Ron,
Thank you so much for the information you provided. Sorry for my mixup between Model 10 and Model 36. I was able to download and print the 4-page manual from Steves, and I will consider the manufacture date to be either 1964 or 1965. Your help was invaluable.

January 29, 2013, 03:24 PM	#1
egraypitt Junior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Posts: 3	Smith & Wesson Model 10 Snub Nose I have had a Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose for many years. It is stamped Smith & Wesson on the left side of barrel, and .38 S.&W. SPL on the right side. It has the official S & W logo below the cylinder release on the left side and is marked on the right front Made In USA, Springfield, Mass. The S/N is on the butt and is 451227. I would like to obtain an owner's manual for the gun, as well as, know the date of manufacture. Also, current market value would be appreciated (conditon 8 out of 10). Can anyone help?

January 29, 2013, 03:55 PM	#2
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	Does the serial number have an alphabetical prefix, and is the gun actually stamped "MOD 10-x" (where "x" is a single-digit number) inside the cylinder yoke cut? If the gun is marked with the model number, it should have a "C" or "D" prefix before the 6-digit number; this prefix is considered part of the serial and is essential to correctly verifying the age. No-prefix, V-prefix, S-prefix, and low C-prefix guns should not be model number stamped. (FWIW V-prefix guns may have the "V" on the opposite side of the lanyard loop hole or lanyard loop plug.) Are you looking for a period-correct manual or simply ANY manual? The "Revolvers - Modern Style" PDF manual on the S&W website is adequate if you don't care about the manual's provenance. Re: value, please post pictures- it's hard to accurately judge condition based on a description, and these guns often have modifications or refinishing that affects the collector value. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak Last edited by carguychris; January 29, 2013 at 06:56 PM. Reason: minor reword...

January 30, 2013, 10:54 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	How about a picture? I don't have my guides in front of me right now, but a snub in that serial number range would make it a pretty early snub. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 30, 2013, 11:14 AM	#7
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	^^^ Mike: those are my thoughts exactly. A no-prefix or V-prefix snubbie could be a legitimately rare and valuable gun IF it hasn't been refinished and/or poorly modified... and that's a big IF. A C-prefix gun could still be an uncommon and interesting variant if it has a mix of earlier and later features, which is frequent in the low-to-mid C-series range, but value is not likely to be particularly high. A D-prefix gun is nothing special, although they will usually sell for a slight premium over equal 4"-5"-6" guns in areas where CCW is popular. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

January 30, 2013, 11:42 AM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I'm just wondering if it has a barrel lug for the ejector rod... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 29, 2013, 03:57 PM	#3
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...01-30-2011.pdf An 80% gun is not going to have great value. But if you find someone that just really really wants a snubbie you might get $400. Otherwise $250 or less.

January 30, 2013, 03:06 AM	#4
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	In my area the 80% model will probably be $400 for a 2" Snub. In very clean condition more like $450 to $500 Retail. In my area Model 10 and 15 Snubs are not on the shelf very often. I put $600 in a very likely unfired 15 Snub a while back with no box or papers. That was probably too much money for it, however how often do you come across a new 15 Snub that is 30+ years old. Bob

January 30, 2013, 10:04 AM	#5
sarge83 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2000 Posts: 426	They are going for $325 to $350 in my neck of the woods. But they do not seem to be moving at my local gun/pawn establishment.

January 30, 2013, 04:07 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"Ditto, but the OP's statement that the barrel rollmark reads .38 S&W SPL." That's actually a problem, I think. Original Model of 1905 Fourth Change snubs should have the barrel marked ".38 Special CTG" on the right as the pre-war marking. A 400K range serial number would put it in the early 1920, I would think. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 3, 2013, 04:14 PM	#11
egraypitt Junior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Posts: 3	Feeling Stupid About Questions On S&W Model 10! All your posts were fantastic. I'm not a gun novice but certainly not an expert like you fellows. I had identified my S&W .38 SPL as a Model 10 by matching it to a picture. I assumed the Model would be on the exterior of the gun, but after reading your posts I popped open the cylinder and gazamm, there is was...Mod 36. The cylinder support was stamped with the number 69982. When I looked it up, it was referred to as a "square butt" .38 SPL. The number 451227, which I gave in my original post, was stamped on this square butt. After examining the number with a magnifying glass, it's possible there is a dash between the 5 & 1 (45-1227). Talking about butt's, I kind of feel like one now. So with this new and correct Model number and additional 6 numbers, I still have the same requests. I would like to have a manual for this gun and the date of manufacture. I apologize for causing all the trouble and will try and be more thorough in the future. Thank you all very much for you good info on bad information.

February 3, 2013, 04:42 PM	#12
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	If it reads Mod 36 it is not a Model 10, it is a early J frame , Model 36, Chiefs Special. Should have 5 holes in the cylinder, Your serial number dates it to 1963-1969, I would guess 1964 or 1965. The number on the cylinder support is a assembly number and means nothing outside the factory. If you go to the S&W site, I believe you can get a manual, or Google Steves Pages and download one. __________________ Ron James

February 4, 2013, 12:14 PM	#13
egraypitt Junior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Posts: 3	Thanks to RJAY Ron, Thank you so much for the information you provided. Sorry for my mixup between Model 10 and Model 36. I was able to download and print the 4-page manual from Steves, and I will consider the manufacture date to be either 1964 or 1965. Your help was invaluable.

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