Two Models of 1905

I finally went by Neil's pawn shop and paid off the Model 10-8 that I had placed on lay away back in October. The sale price on the nickel service revolver was $239, and I only had $37 more dollars to pay.

At one time not long ago, I would have passed on a Model 10 that was over two hundred bucks, but times have changed. You just don't see them what I used pay any more. I suppose that goes for a lot of things. Earlier in the week I looked over a blued Model 37 with a three inch barrel, but the $425 price tag switched me off cold. I'm willing to recognize the prices have gone up a bit, but I'm not willing to pay 2015 prices yet.

I took the modern day Model of 1905 home and cleaned it up, and then found some period appropriate magna grips in my spares box. It's my first heavy barrel Model 10. I've just always preferred the taper barreled M&P, but I have to admit the heavy barrel handles nicely. When compared with my eighty-eight dollar Model of 1905 (no change) that I picked up at the last gun show, the Model 10-8 looks like a jewel.

The Model of 1905 was the first five screw Smith & Wesson revolver. It was manufactured for one year before the first change occurred. There is something about those old brown revolvers that I enjoy. They are invariably inexpensive, they are about as tactical as a pair of Hush Puppies, and the patina reeks of a past unknown. Yeah, I appreciate the old beater guns nobody else wants too.