What's a good price for a 3" model 10?

Status
Not open for further replies.

adcoch1

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2015
Messages
3,798
Location
Centralia Washington
So I was perusing gunbroker today, and low and behold I found my grail gun! A 3" s&w model 10 in nickel finish, like new or very near it, in the box. Fired but not worn out yet, looked awesome. I don't actually care for nickel on most guns, but on the model 10 I truly don't mind it even though I prefer s&w blue on the older revolvers. The bidding is still going, and it is about $505 as of this afternoon.
What I want to know is, what IS a fair price for a rare little 3" model 10 anyway nowadays? This is literally the first one I've seen for sale, so either everyone holds on to them, or they are pretty rare... So, thoughts?
 
I got a 10-10 last year for $350 (blue). I think going after that one would be a bad investment, unless the finish is that important to you.
 
I bought a 3” model 10 off of here 6 years ago for 450 to my door. Blue and had some wear but was a good shooter with original grips.

Just some comparison info for you. I also bought a 3” model 13 around the same time for 500.
 
You guys are comparing well worn, blue, later model M10s' prices to "like new" rare, earlier model M10 in nickel? At least compare apples to apples.
 
3" is pretty much optimal for 38spl. Not exactly a snubby, but not so large to be tough to hide or too heavy to wear. I haven't seen one in the flesh in years, but I did have one, 10-5 I think, around 2006 that I picked up for about 200 at a pawn shop. Sold it a few months later for 325. One of a select few that I miss. 3" isn't crazy rare, and neither is nickel, but it seems like the combination may be. Good luck hunting...and if ya catch one I hope to see pictures.
 
A 3" model 10 is my grail gun, and blued or nickel is ok, I just want nice finish and good condition grips or i will throw on some custom ones. I want this gun to use though, not be a safe queen, so $300-500 is more my range. Just curious if that is at all realistic, and it appears it should be...
 
I got a 2 inch nickel M10 back in May for $425 and everyone says I did real well .I would expect a nice nickel 3 inch to end up at over $600 on gunbroker
 
I agree, if it's the gun you want it's worth what you are willing to pay. A 3" M10 is rare and a nickel one even more. $600 or a little more doesn't sound out of the question.
 
A brand new model 10 4" classic will set you back $625. People are willing to pay more for a real deal original. Is it pinned? Add 3" barrel nickel and the real thing for another 25% premium and it could go to $800. The days of $350 for a desirable old Smith in exc condition are gone.
 
But I bought a ratty police trade-in with 50% bluing and the stocks chewed on by a dog at a gun show in 1974 for $150. So anything more than that is a ripoff.
That's pretty funny cause that's how I got the 6" model 10 that I have now. It was under $300 and one side is gorgeous, the other has some finish gone and minor pitting on the frame. This thread has gone on long enough without any pics, so here she is...
20170617_192838.jpg
Now don't ya think she deserves a 3" brother to hang out with?
 
HOLY COW!!! That is going to command a dear price.

That seller has really nice merchandise. Atypical barrel lengths , great condition ... choice.
 
I am drooling. The 3” is mighty fine, and with the factory packaging and stuff it’s the cream of the crop, but the 3-1/2” 27 is killing me. There’s no way right now... I’m selling a boat in the spring though so it might turn into a couple fine revolvers. I had to bookmark that seller though, not only does he have nice stuff, he takes good pictures as well.
 
35077D1C-A723-4274-9DC2-2413B4BBF70B.jpeg 03CEEE15-C659-4CFA-B83F-BC1CFD572B0B.jpeg I have a 3” Model 10 No Dash that was shipped in 1960. They were special order guns until the 80’s. This one is a 4 screw. Supposedly ordered by a County Sheriff here in SC and was his carry gun. Gun is mechanically perfect and has enough honest wear to give it a lot of character. I’d love to be able to make it talk. I’m sure it could tell some great stories. I paid around $350 for it and not sure I would take $1k. It’s just cool and fits nicely in my 3” collection.
 
View attachment 813587 View attachment 813586 I have a 3” Model 10 No Dash that was shipped in 1960. They were special order guns until the 80’s. This one is a 4 screw. Supposedly ordered by a County Sheriff here in SC and was his carry gun. Gun is mechanically perfect and has enough honest wear to give it a lot of character. I’d love to be able to make it talk. I’m sure it could tell some great stories. I paid around $350 for it and not sure I would take $1k. It’s just cool and fits nicely in my 3” collection.
You Sir make me jealous! That is exactly what I'm looking for! Nice price too...
 
You Sir make me jealous! That is exactly what I'm looking for! Nice price too...

Thank you for the compliment. I just love the guns with a little history (although it may be speculated) and character from honest use especially by a LEO. One of my most favorite things to do is go to an out door range and lay a few of the guns with character out on the bench. Love to watch the younger guys walk by and punch each other, point and snicker at some of my older guns. Even heard one guy state one time "if that's the only gun I could afford, then I would just stay home". The real fun is when I start tearing up the center of a bullseye while they are struggling to keep the bullets on the paper with their plastic guns. All the snickering stops and usually one will walk up and start asking questions and before its over I'll offer to let them try out one of the revolvers. The young hot shots are usually amazed at how accurate they can shoot the guns that are older than their father. More than once I've had offers to buy one or more of my old junk guns. While I have my share of stainless and nicely blued revolvers, the old ones with character will always have a place in my collection
 
I like that too. I pull out my hacked up trail gun(its an old rusty ruger sbh in 44 that was beat up finish wise when I got it) and proceed to out group the other guys ar at 100 yards. Shuts em up REAL quick...
 
When it comes to auction bidding I follow the old maxim: The price you’ll max bid is what it’s worth... to you. If someone else covets it more than you do then it will go beyond your max and become theirs. Set a reasonable limit and don’t get suckered into a bidding war and you’ll do ok.

It sold for over $1,000.00 when you add in shipping. That’s a LOT of coin, so I’ll bet it’s going into the recesses of a safe somewhere not to be seen for another 25 years...before it’s auctioned off again.

Stay safe!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top