I'm no expert either, and my collection is still just a handful, but in my experience, the quality & styling of S&W in general is much higher than most brands. For me, getting a good handle on the revolver checklist to know what to look for in a used gun was a big help... to recognize a good, bad, or just plain worn out gun, regardless of time period.

I think the 50s and 60s era you mention is a great "bang for the buck" period. Quality pieces for shooting or collecting.

There's a great bunch of knowledgable folks on the forum with wonderful collections and some amazing photography. As you look at the collections, and study the different models in the reference catalog, you'll quickly realize which models or styles attract you the most.

Josh P