S&W 10-6 .357 Magnum Questions

[WillRuss]

S&W 10-6 .357 Magnum Questions (pics added)

A friend needed some Christmas funds for his kids so he sold me a revolver tonight that had been in his safe for 20+ years. It had some significant surface rust in a few spots, but it cleaned up pretty well with oil and steel wool. I'd call it about 80% now, with the original serial numbered stocks in good shape. (I can post pics tomorrow if necessary.)

Unfortunately, my attempts at researching this model online have been unsuccessful. Every reference for a S&W Mod 10-6 I've found was for a 38 Special, but this has "S&W .357 MAGNUM" stamped on the right side of the barrel, and "SMITH & WESSON" on the left. ("MOD 10-6" is stamped on the inside.)

From what I read in the sticky threads on this forum, the serial of D706XXX would place the manufacture date at late 1974 to early 1975, and I believe that's right around the time they came out with the Mod 13. I seem to remember reading that S&W did produce some prototype Mod 10's in 357, but I can't find it now.

Is this version uncommon or does it have any particular collector value?

 

[Beagle-zebub]

The barrel might have been cannibalized from a .357 K-frame. When you say the 10-6 marking was "on the inside," do you mean the inside of the frame?

 

[easyrider604]

I think the cylinder of a .357 Magnum would be a little longer than that of a .38 spl. If you have .357 magnum ammo or brass, try chambering them. If the shoe fits......

If you do not have any .357 ammo or brass, then perhaps a member or members who own a model 10 can measure the cylinder length of their 10, while those with a model 13 do the same. Then post their measurements here.

Old Fuff will surely know the answer to this question.

 

[Colt Smith]

Cylinder length on my model 10-6 is 1 & 9/16". Mine is definitely .38 spl only.

 

[C-grunt]

Well a 357 shouldnt fit in the cylinder if its a 38 right?

Try it out, BUT DONT SHOOT IT!!!

 

[ugaarguy]

WillRuss, yes, there was a small run of model 10s made in .357 Magnum just before the model 13 was released. For more information pick up a copy of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd. Edition by Supica and Nahas.

 

[WillRuss]

Thanks!

Thanks for all of the info, folks!

First of all, yes, I meant that "MOD 10-6" is stamped on the inside frame when you swing out the cylinder.

No, I don't have any ammo yet, but the cylinder measures just a hair over 10/16" long - or exactly 21/32".

If it's a replacement barrel, they did a great job! The pin seems to still have the factory bluing. I'll post some pics later this morning when I can get some daylight.

Oh, and thanks ugaarguy - I'll try to find that catalog. I'm curious as to just how many were made and if my serial number falls in that range.

 

[mossy141701]

WillRuss your revolver was manufactured for the New York state police in 1983,it was later recalled and replaced with mod. 27's. I also have one of these revolvers and it shoots great although I usually shoot 38 spl in it to take it easier on the gun. hope this helps. It handles 357 just fit as it was chambered for the cartridge, but I don't like putting it through all that pressure on a regular basis.

 

[WillRuss]

Thanks!

That's great info - many thanks! So does that make this a particularly collectable firearm? (I'd like to put a value on it for insurance purposes.)

As promised, some pics...

 

[The Bushmaster]

Has anyone thought to call S&W to find out if he has a Mod 10 in .357 magnum? I have nver heard of a model 10 chambered in .357 magnum.

I measured my Mod 10-7 and Mod 19-5 cylinders. The Mod 10 was 1.566" and the Mod 19 was 1.633"...

Where's our S&W expert anyway?

 

[Geezer Glide]

His cylinder measures only .041 different than yours. If either set of calipers has not been calibrated, this is a reasonable amount of difference. And we do not know the amount of tolerance S&W had on the cylinders. Looks like the guy has a rare piece.

 

[WillRuss]

I zeroed the caliper before measuring, it's a new battery, and I've calibrated it on known thickness of a headspace gauge. It's only off by .001". I would be interested in hearing from S&W. I'm hoping it won't cost me $30 just to find out if that's the original caliber.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I would letter this revolver, if it's a M10 that left the factory chambered for .357 it well have some collector value. I post this at the S&W forum.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/

 

[george29]

That is definitely one for the safe. Never heard of a 10 in .357
My M10 was manufactured in 1961, but being the K frame, I am having +P+ loaded for it and have no doubt that it can handle it.

 

[rcmodel]

Please read post #8 again.

mossy141701 hit the nail squarely on the head, and that is what you have.

With the finish damage, I doubt it would command much of a premium price from a collector.

rcmodel

 

[18DAI]

There were a few of those 10-6 around these parts last year.

They had been refinished in a semi matt black. Very nice shooters.

Congrats on yours!

 

[WillRuss]

Thanks to everyone for your info. I think it's a keeper!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'll be darned, you learn something new every day.

 

[Robus]

And just to add my $0.02 to the thread, I have the same revolver. I bought it used in a gun shop in Illinois around 1990. S# D537xxx. I've fired both .38Sp and .357 through it. It had belonged to an LEO judging by the holster wear on the bluing.

 

[Brian Williams]

S&W did make some 10-6 in 357, a good call to make would be to S&W to just check on it if it was sold as a 357, but it will cost you $50 to get it lettered from the S&W historian, Roy Jinks.

 

[Bubba613]

Yes, I had a Model 10 chambered in .357mag that I sold. It was a police dept special run.

 

[sctman800]

On the cylinder length, I will try to make it more confusing. I have a 38spl 10-7, .357 65-4 and a 66 no dash P&R.

10-7 1.562

65-4 1.625

66 1.674

I figure the difference between the 65 and 66 is the P&R being the .050 counterbore for the rim thickness, HTH. Jim.

 

[jakk280rem]

according to my standard catalog of smith & wesson 3rd ed. under the heading "model 10 specials and variations" it says:

New York State Police:In 1972 several thousand were chambered in .357 Magnum for the N.Y.S.P. with a 4" heavy barrel with a pinned barrel. Predecessor to the Model 13 with a counterbored cylinder measuring 1.67" in lenght with a somwhat flattened top strap and a sandblast blue finish. This variation is fitted with a smooth .400 combat trigger and .375 checked hammer. Fitted with plainclothes grips. Notched front sight, frame marked 10-6, ".357 Magnum" on barrel. No known police markings.

Sure sounds like they're describing your gun. a place to start at least.

 

[armybass]

Man what a great find. Congrats.

 

[Guillermo]

I love THR!

Every time I sign on I learn something. A .357 Model 10! Cool.

Bet she shoots sweet!