SOLD - Excellent Detroit Police Smith & Wesson Model 10-5

Description

06/26/26 - This is an excellent example of a Smith & Wesson Model 10-5 Detroit Police revolver chambered in .38 Special. This K frame example is all matching and correct, with serial number stamped on the butt and cylinder face, while the assembly number is stamped on the yoke and left side of the grip frame. The "N" markings on the underside of the barrel and on the grip frame next to the assembly number indicate the scarcer, more desirable bright nickel finish is from the factory, and not refinished as many police departments did with blued examples for the improvement to corrosion resistance and general wear characteristics. As all Detroit PD examples were, it is configured with a perfectly balanced. 5-inch tapered barrel. Though this model was among the most popular for police departments across the country for over a decade, these examples are highly prized, with the back strap notably marked with the department name and a police rack number, verifying it as a duty weapon. The revolver is in excellent condition, retaining about 95% of its finish, with crisp markings and minimal edge wear. There is a light turn line on the cylinder, some scattered micro scratches along the barrel and frame flats, and a few small specks of very mild carbon staining around the rear cylinder face. Fitted with a nice set of checkered walnut target grips with inlaid S&W medallions, showing light handling wear and modest softening on some checkering high points, but no cracks, chips or repairs. The bore is shiny with strong rifling, and just some minor fouling in the grooves. The mechanics are smooth, with tight lock-up and excellent timing. Trigger functions properly in both single and double action.

A note on this revolver's C&R status: We have narrowed this example's production to late 1976 or 1977, and without a letter, the actual ship date cannot that be determined, but it is likely '77. So buying this on a C&R would require some sort of proof of a '76 ship date from the buyer.