Hey Rusty & Greg!

[Johan van Zyl]

You'll recall we spoke about my Smith & Wesson Model 10 a while back. I finally received an answer to my query I sent to Mr. Roy Jinks of S & W. I received a long letter from the firm, but the letter contained only one sentence of information; the rest was all advertisement for S & W. It said my revolver was sold in November of 1979. Well, that means I purchased it new in Brandfort in South Africa exactly two years to the month after it was sold by S & W. More information will cost $30, which in South African currency is slightly less than the price of a new genuine khukuri made in Nepal and sold in Johannesburg. (I bring in this khukuri bit just to show I'm not O.T.!) Well, there it is, guys, the wrap-up. Stay well.

 

[Rusty]

Glad you got the info you wanted. In some ways the model 10 is not the most interesting revolver to some collectors because I can't think of another pistol produced in greater numbers. And for 100 + years with few changes along the line.

The other side is to look at it as having withstood the test of a century of use and still in the running.

Maybe you ought to look into the Winchester model 94 lever action. It's my understanding that Jeff Cooper of Gunsite ran it through a rifle course with several folks and they found that past 15 or 20 yards the lever action was quicker to get on target and hit with than the AK47.

Kind of similar with the model 10. On the range the rangemaster would blow the whistle and I used to draw my Model 19 and get three shots off and then between the 3rd and 4th shot the rest of the line would open up. I'd reload and the line would be getting quiet again and I'd usually get all 6 off before someone else got reloaded. Well, the guys with the autopistols could catch up to me if they practiced. This was about 1979.

They make the Winchester Trapper ( 16" barrel ) in 30-30, 44spl/44mag, and 38spl/357mag. 9 cartridges up the tubular magazine plus a 10th in the chamber in the 38 & 44 would make a nice companion to your revolver if you got the 38/357 model. I'm getting one when I get a chance. ( Have to make do with a Trapper in 44 til then. )

 

[Johan van Zyl]

Well, with your comments you're making me recall what I've been thinking about more often these last few years, that if I had known then what I know now, I would have spent only the very minimum on the bare necessities with my first few years' meager salary during 1966, 1967 and 1968, and the rest I would have spent on........here it comes:

Antique khukuries, 1967 Frosted Krugerrand, Kruger coinage of the ZAR, a Colt Peacemaker in .45 LC, a Winchester lever action in .44-40, a Boer War Mauser, an OFS Martini Henry, a Colt Mod. 1911, a German Luger, a..... oh what the heck!

 

[Walosi]

Johan -
Use your M10 and enjoy it, but care for it and keep it. Stangely enough, it is beginning to assume some collector interest now that it is no longer in production, even though it still exists in quantity.

 

[Johan van Zyl]

Thanks for good advice, Wal.

 

[Ripper]

Hi Johan,
Thanks for the update.
Here's some info I found on the Model 10:
Model and Dash numbering system
--------------------------------
Model 10
-1 1959 Designation for Heavy Barrel
-2 1961 Changed extractor rod thread to LH on standard barrel
-3 1961 same as above, for heavy barrel
-4 1962 Screw in front of trigger eliminated
-5 1962 1/10" to 1/8" front sight, on standard barrel
-6 1962 Screw in front of trigger guard eliminated on
heavy barrel model
-7 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
-8 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder
on heavy barrel model
You might find some more info here:
Smith & Wesson Forum

Stay well yourself. By the way, how's that officers uniform coming along?
Regards,
Greg

 

[Johan van Zyl]

Now that's what I call specifics. Thanks, Greg! You can be sure I'll have a look at that forum, too. No luck yet on the uniform issue. This time of the year (assignment & exams to mark) leaves me little time for outside pleasures.