For my birthday my girlfriend and I went to the NRA museum in Fairfax VA. While looking at the pictures I took and found something that looked not quite right. I didn't see it until after we left or I would have said something to the person working there.

Attached Images

20170805_095916.jpg (42.9 KB, 357 views)

What's wrong with it?

I don't get it . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It's a 5th Model .38 Safety...Not a 1st Model as noted on the plaque!!

__________________
Masterpiece

It's a fifth model with that serial number.

Welcome to the forum about the only thing they had right was that it is a Smith & Wesson and it in chambered in 38 S & W. They were most likely working off the info gave to them by the owner when he donated it.

Be that as it may, museum's have these things called "curators". They are supposed to know "stuff" about their "stuff" in their collection.

This place curated by FOX News by any chance?

You went to the nra museum !!!! Id love to do that to bad its half a country away. Lucky guy

__________________
No gold. Only lead. Bobby

The .38 Safety (Hammerless) was not a "Double Action"...

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Alan,

While I don't often disagree...On this one I believe you'll find you're mistaken!!

Reason being...All of the Safety Hammerless Revolvers...Both .32 & .38 Caliber...Are considered to be Dbl.-Action "Only"!!

__________________
Masterpiece

Don't think so. I believe it is MSNBC or CNN. 😉

True enough, were it not for the similar concurrent model called the .38 Double Action. Is this one the Safety Hammerless (New Departure, etc.) or Double Action, capitalized as in a formal name? Label it "double action only" in lower case and I approve .

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Alan,

I agree...Best case scenario is for the Revolver to be noted as (Dbl.-Action "Only") on the plaque for those who aren't aware of the difference!!

__________________
Masterpiece

IIRC the curator of the NRA museum is one Jim Supica and co-author of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson now in its fourth edition and former owner of Olde Town Station. I would say that he knows more about collectible S&W's than 90% of the folks that hover here.

That said, he may not have been involved in labeling this particular piece or it is possible that he just missed the correct details when supplied with the information by the person that donated the gun. Being an expert on every model and variation of S&W's would be a daunting task for most anyone and I find it hard to believe that many here are experts on ALL models.

Perhaps an email to Jim at the NRA Museum pointing out the error would be more productive than bashing his curator's ability here on the forum.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

I believe that Mr Supica is one of a few curators at the NRA museum (unless that has changed). Unsure how the museum responsibilities are divided up within that system?

I plan on sending an email when I'm back on my regular computer on Monday. No disrespect to anyones ability was meant, i had gotten a couple pictures of Smith revolvers and just happened to notice it while looking for something else.
As a side I was hoping they offered his book for sale at the store, and while they had a good selection of firearms books, that wasn't one of them.

That's why I like this place. Helping me figure out the Standard Catalog, one gun at a time . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It's really nice to see people that never make mistakes post other's errors here. I'm sure the folks at the museum will be happy to change the error in the labeling once it is brought to their attention. They will be glad it was handled with discretion. By the way, happy birthday! Did your girlfriend buy you a Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th edition? Maybe you can read it and post all the errors you find in it here.

__________________
Don Mundell

One should cut those folks some slack.

The NRA is primarily an advocacy organisation, not a historical collectors association, and while their accumulations (it's been decades since I've been to the museum) are impressive, having to represent everything that goes bang when you pull a trigger may leave the knowledge pool a bit shallow at times from a "purist's" point of view.

Over time I've noticed inaccuracies in their historical presentations, on their museum website as well as their firearms history videos. Those may appear cringe-worthy to a "specialist", but they don't matter to the average Joe and a collector would know better than to use those for serious research.

And as has been said, if Jim Supica is involved, I'm sure this particular mistake would be quickly corrected if pointed out to the appropriate people.

There is one near you at Basspro in Springfield,MO. It has many more visitors than Virginia each year and excellent displays.

NRA Museums: NRA National Sporting Arms Museum

__________________
PTLAPTA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! And you have a GREAT girlfriend!!

__________________
PTLAPTA!

Agreed. It's a good respite from the fishing lure crowd . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Thanks for pointing it out! We'll get it fixed.

Jim

__________________
Jim Supica