What in the heck did I just buy?

RodTheWrench · September 26, 2013, 11:56 PM

I saw it, I liked it, I traded for it. Must be due to the current S&W revolver kick I'm on.

What is this thing? How in the world would one go about finding out who did the custom work on it?

I was told it's a model 10, 38 Special. The cylinder measures just 1 9/16" long so I would assume it's a 38 only.

What were these kind of guns made for and when? Of course I assume it was made for competition, but what kind? The SA trigger breaks like glass at 2(?)-ish pounds - VERY light!

Sorry for all the questions, but who in the world made barrels for these?

I definitely want to get it to the range to see what she can do, I'm assuming a high accuracy pistol that I won't mind keeping.

And as long as I'm assuming, wouldn't you say the value of this gun is in the eye of the beholder? Or is there a demand for these types of modified Smiths?

RodTheWrench · September 26, 2013, 11:58 PM

More pictures.

RodTheWrench · September 26, 2013, 11:59 PM

Last ones.

Venom1956 · September 27, 2013, 12:22 AM

its a custom PPC revolver. you'll enjoy it very much. the model # should be inside the crane and depending on age if its a .357 the chambers would be recessed.

You'll love it.

MrBorland · September 27, 2013, 06:50 AM

It was originally a 5-screw .38spl, rather than a .357mag, as the former (like yours) didn't have recessed chambers. The 5-screw configuration indicates the base gun was a pre-1957 gun, so the model # won't be stamped on the gun, but it was likely a pre-10, though it could've been a pre-17 (aka K-38).

As mentioned it's a PPC revolver. Built correctly, they're tack drivers, but are built to shoot target ammo, typically HBWCs. It's got a Bomar sight rib. AFAIK, the popular heavy PPC barrels of the time were Douglas and Apex. I'm gonna guess it's a Douglas barrel.

As far as value, there's not much market for them, as there's not much demand for PPC guns any longer. As such, they can often be had for a bargain, considering what they are. If it were a documented gun in good shape made by a top PPC 'smith of his day, my WAG is it might sell for $1k-ish. Much depends on the 'smith who did the work (could simply be a PPC gun in appearance only), so if unknown or undocumented, the value goes down considerably.

Nice gun. Range report soon, eh?

micromontenegro · September 27, 2013, 09:49 AM

An old PPC gun, probably based on the K38 Masterpiece, judging by the target hammer. You're in for a good time, methinks.

PetahW · September 27, 2013, 10:08 AM

.

A gunsmith might have swaped in a bbl from a S&W Model 586 before installing the Bo-Mar rib.

.

James K · September 27, 2013, 11:51 AM

I don't think the 586 existed when that gun was built.

Jim

RUT · September 27, 2013, 01:01 PM

It looks just like the Model 14-3 I once owned complete with "Bomar rail".

Dave T · September 28, 2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

A gunsmith might have swaped in a bbl from a S&W Model 586 before installing the Bo-Mar rib.

The barrel is too big in diameter to be a 586, and the under lug is attached with screws rather than being integral with the barrel. It was done by a gun smith and from the pictures a pretty good one.

Also, the configuration of the top strap (both front and rear) makes the original a fixed sighted revolver, probably a pre-Model 10.

Dave

micromontenegro · September 30, 2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Also, the configuration of the top strap (both front and rear) makes the original a fixed sighted revolver

Good catch, you're right.

Bob Wright · September 30, 2013, 02:45 PM

As a matter of interest I saw a similar race gun at the Memphis Gun Show Saturday, built on a Model 10. The gun had a very large diameter barrel that had been flattened on each side, similar rib and sights.

Asking price was $1000.

Bob Wright

September 27, 2013, 12:22 AM	#4
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 3,656	its a custom PPC revolver. you'll enjoy it very much. the model # should be inside the crane and depending on age if its a .357 the chambers would be recessed. You'll love it. __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug

September 27, 2013, 01:01 PM	#9
RUT Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: NH, USA Posts: 812	It looks just like the Model 14-3 I once owned complete with "Bomar rail". __________________ Liberals don't care what you do... as long as it's mandated.

September 27, 2013, 06:50 AM	#5
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	It was originally a 5-screw .38spl, rather than a .357mag, as the former (like yours) didn't have recessed chambers. The 5-screw configuration indicates the base gun was a pre-1957 gun, so the model # won't be stamped on the gun, but it was likely a pre-10, though it could've been a pre-17 (aka K-38). As mentioned it's a PPC revolver. Built correctly, they're tack drivers, but are built to shoot target ammo, typically HBWCs. It's got a Bomar sight rib. AFAIK, the popular heavy PPC barrels of the time were Douglas and Apex. I'm gonna guess it's a Douglas barrel. As far as value, there's not much market for them, as there's not much demand for PPC guns any longer. As such, they can often be had for a bargain, considering what they are. If it were a documented gun in good shape made by a top PPC 'smith of his day, my WAG is it might sell for $1k-ish. Much depends on the 'smith who did the work (could simply be a PPC gun in appearance only), so if unknown or undocumented, the value goes down considerably. Nice gun. Range report soon, eh?

September 27, 2013, 09:49 AM	#6
micromontenegro Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2010 Posts: 647	An old PPC gun, probably based on the K38 Masterpiece, judging by the target hammer. You're in for a good time, methinks.

September 27, 2013, 10:08 AM	#7
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. A gunsmith might have swaped in a bbl from a S&W Model 586 before installing the Bo-Mar rib. .

September 27, 2013, 11:51 AM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I don't think the 586 existed when that gun was built. Jim

September 30, 2013, 02:45 PM	#12
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	As a matter of interest I saw a similar race gun at the Memphis Gun Show Saturday, built on a Model 10. The gun had a very large diameter barrel that had been flattened on each side, similar rib and sights. Asking price was $1000. Bob Wright