Can anyone identify this competition revolver?

E

EricMousel

Inactive
Hello, I'm Eric and I'm new to the forums.

I came here to identify, and possibly assign value to, a revolver that I own but (obviously) don't know a lot about. The pictures attached will likely explain more than what I can offer so I'll tell you what I do know and try not to blather on too much.

The receiver is made by Smith & Wesson. Past that, it's difficult to tell where the other parts came from. I've posted this thread in the competition shooting forum because the action on the trigger feels like 1/2lbs. to 1lbs. and it was made clear to me by my father, who gifted it to me, that it had been jeweled.

I'm interested in the value of the pistol because I'd like to sell it, but don't know where to start looking for a buyer. I have six speed loaders, a red-dot scope and a quick draw-type holster for it, as well.

Thanks to all of you fine folks and thanks to anyone who can help me figure out what I've got my hands on!


-Eric

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Hi, Eric - welcome!

All I can offer is that it looks most like a custom Bianchi Cup revolver built on a S&W Model 10.

The optics base and fixed sights under it rule out PPC.

It's possible it's an ICORE Open gun, but it'd likely be using moonclips rather than speedloaders. I can't tell - has the cylinder been machined to accept moonclips? Does it look recessed like the one in the pic below? If not, it's unlikely to be an ICORE Open gun.

Is the barrel marked? Maybe someone will recognize it and the other components.

A 1/2 to 1 lb trigger? I assume you mean the single action trigger.

As far as price, used PPC revolvers turn up occasionally and generally sell for $350-$600. Pretty good price for what they are. I tend to think used Bianchi Cup revolvers would fall into the same price category. If it can be documented that it was built by a well-known 'smith, and it's still in great condition, it can go for more.

Have you shot it? It ought to be a tack driver.

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Thanks for the reply, MrBorland.

The cylinder is not recessed in any way so it's unlikely to accept moonclips. The barrel is unfortunately unmarked as best as I can tell. As for who made it, I don't know.

I showed it to a gunsmith a couple of years ago at my local shooting range and he mentioned that the S&W receiver having 3 screws, as opposed to 5, was significant. Any idea what he meant by that?

If this pistol is a used PPC or Bianchi Cup revolver, where do you suggest I try to sell it? I'm pretty green when it comes to these things.
 
It has five screws, as opposed to three. The side plate of older S&W revolvers had four screws holding it to the frame, and there was a fifth frame screw that was also eliminated to create a total of three frame screws. S&W has reintroduced the fourth sideplate screw on some modern models, so we now have "four screw" guns, in addition to the earlier 3- and 5-screw. My circa 1915 N-frame has five screws, my '86 had three, and my '08 has four.
 
the S&W receiver having 3 screws, as opposed to 5, was significant. Any idea what he meant by that?
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I agree with RickB, your gun is a 5-screw. One on the sideplate is hidden under the grip, and there should be another in the front of the trigger guard. Gun Smiths in original condition, 5-screw guns are often favored by collectors since they're older. In the late 50's, Smith dropped the upper screw, briefly making 4-screw guns, then dropped the triggerguard screw to make 3-screw guns.

And speaking of 5-screw, since S&W went to their model numbering system in 1957 (maybe the same year the 5th screw was dropped?), the base gun is a pre-10 (aka M&P), rather than a 10.

If you open the cylinder and look on the frame below the end of the barrel, and see "M-10" stamped in there if it's a post-57 model 10. If not, it's a pre-10 M&P.

More definitively, you can also take the grip off and look on the butt of the gun: You'll see a serial # and you can get the date of manufacture from the list below. Again, if it's pre-1957, it's a pre-10 M&P.

C1 - C233,999………….....1948 – 52
C236,004 – C261,483…….1953
C277,555 – C314,031….…1954 – 56
C402,924 – C405,018…….1957
C405,019 – C429,740…..1958 – 59
C429,741 – C474,148…….1960
C474,149 – C622,699…….1961 – 62
C622,700 – C810,532…….1963 – 65
C810,533 – C999,999…..1966 – 67


If this pistol is a used PPC or Bianchi Cup revolver, where do you suggest I try to sell it? I'm pretty green when it comes to these things.
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There are numerous on-line auctions available. Gunbroker seems to be very popular. I've never used myself, though.

You'd need to have more posts to advertise it here, but other forums may not require this. Check THR, but be sure to read their rules first.

You could also sell it to a gun store, but they'll likely give you considerably less than you'd get if you sold it yourself, as they're trying to make a profit.

Try going over to the revolver subforum on the Brian Enos forum. Competitive wheelguners hang out there and they really know their revolvers. Likely someone there can give you more info on your gun.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=43
 
Thanks, MrBorland and RickB. I certainly know more about this revolver than I did this morning! I'll give Brian Enos' forum a try.

I don't want to sell this gun but, as for most people, money is tight right now.
 
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