Your model 10-5 is a fine specimen of a basic, no frills revolver - except for the "fancy" nickel finish of course.
The revolver is a 6-shot, all steel, fixed sighted .38 Special revolver that can trace it's lineage directly back to the S&W Model of 1899 - the first double action revolver with a swing-out cylinder chambered for the .38 Special.
It's long history includes not only protecting civilians at home, but riding in thousands of police holsters around the world. Available with barrel lengths of 2, 4, 5 and 6 inches this revolver is almost as common as a telephone. In fact, in some parts of the country before WW-II, there were likely people who had a Model 10 before they had a telephone!
In 1941, the Model 10 - then simply called the
Military & Police Model - went to war. S&W made one million revolvers for the war effort. Many of these were parkerized or phosphate coated and included a lanyard ring in the butt. The serial numbers started with a "V", hence they were also called "Victory Models". The Victory models were also produced for the British military in .38 S&W caliber or .38/200 as the British called it. Many of these returned stateside after the war and were bored out to .38 Special and refinished. My father bought one in 1948 for the princely sum of $33 shipped to his door by USPS! Some of the .38 S&W revolvers found their way to holsters of security guards at factories producing war materiel.
The military continued to purchase the M&P models up through the late 1950's for such things as security and military police duties. It continued to be one of the most common police revolvers until about the mid/late 1960's.
Probably more .38 Special M&P/Model 10's sit "guard duty" in nightstands or desk drawers than any other revolver. It's simple design and operation make it easy to use for novice gun owners. The cartridge is effective enough to drive off or stop an intruder without undue recoil or noise.
Postwar M&P's carried a "C" serial number prefix until about 1967 when the "D" prefix began. About the same time the half-round front sight was changed to a serrated ramp cut from the half-round, making it unique to that model series.
Here's a blued cousin to your 5" Nickel specimen. This one is from 1969 and is virtually unfired.
And a more "business end" view.
The five inch barrel has always been my favorite. It balances better than the 6-inch and gives a little more "feel" to your aim than the 4-inch version. It also has a "balanced" appearance that is graceful looking.
With yours having a
nickel finish you will want to
avoid using any powder solvents containing ammonia or any bore cleaners touted as "copper cutting". These agents can work beneath the nickel plating and cause it to blister and peel. Products like
Breakfree CLP, FP-10 and Weapons Shield should be safe products for cleaning your revolver. To protect the nickel finish, wipe it free of any oil residue and sparingly apply a good carnuba wax (
Johnson's paste wax works fine, so does
Flitz Rifle/Gun wax). Let it dry and buff it off. Avoid any wax products containing abrasives as they may scratch the finish.
