Ok Guys, after the great feedback I got on the 22/32 Transitional Kit pistol, I thought I'd post some info on other S&W's I had and see if any of these were highly collectible, interesting facts on them, and estimated current market value on these. I'll be thinning the heard before long and I'll probably sell off a good many of these. Not necessarily keeping the most rare, or the cheapest. I'd just like to know what a current market value is on these things.

Here is a list of the Model #'s and then I'll give a detailed description of them. If you can give me any feedback on any of them (production year, rarity, interesting facts about specific models, unique things to look for, etc.) I'd really appreciate it.
When it does come time to sell these, I'll give those that give input, first dibs when I go to sell them.
Model 29-2
Model 60 (no dash)
Model 19-2
Model 631
Model 60-4
Model 18-2
Model 15-2
Model 36
Model 34-1
Model 19-2
Model 66 (no dash)
Model 17-2
Model 36

Detailed Description:
Model 29-2: 6 1/2" Barrel. Blue. 44 Mag . Serial #28456_. This has a fat trigger and hammer? There is also a Star on stamped into the lower left of frame (under grip) and the same star inside when you swing out the cylinder. Adj. Sites. Pinned.

Model 60 (no dash). Stainless w/ Stainless Tyler's T Grip. 1.75" Barrel. 38 S&W Spec. Serial #62218_.

Model 19-2: 4" Barrel. Factory option with Fat Trigger/Hammer. Pinned. Diamond Grips. Adj. Sites. Serial #K1360_.

Model 631: Stainless 32 Magnum. 4" Barrel. Adj. Sites. Beautiful curved wood grips. Serial #BEZ315_.

Model 60-4: Stainless 38 S&W Spec. 3" Barrel. Black Uncle Mike's Grips. Serial #BFY650_.

The following pistols are like new to excellent in the box with Warranty Card, cleaning tools, S&W Brown Paper, etc.

Model 18-2 (22 Combat Masterpiece) 4" Barrel. Blue. Adj. Sights. Serial #K75730_. Pinned. 22lr. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 15-2 (.38 Combat Masterpiece) 4" Barrel. Blue. 38 S&W Spc. No Diamond Grip. Serial #K71745_. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 36 (.38 Chiefs Special) 2" Barrel. Square Butt. Box says Special Features: T.P. Target. Serial #39180_. Blued. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 34-1 (22/32 Kit Pistol) 4" Barrel. Square Butt. Blued. Serial #10415_. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 19-2 (357 Combat Magnum) 2 1/2" Barrel. Adj. Sites. Round Butt. Finish: BT Stock: R. Serial #K68625_. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 19-2 (357 Combat Magnum) 4" Barrel. Blued. Adj. Sites. Serial #K71478_. Box says Front Site: RR, Stock: T. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 66 (no dash) (357 Combat Magnum Stainless) 4" Barrel. Rear site is adjustable/stainless. Pinned. Serial #2K9643_. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 17-2 (K22 Masterpiece) 6" Barrel. Blued. Stock: S. Serial #K79005_. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

Model 36 (no dash) (Chiefs Special) Square Butt. 2" Barrel. Stock: S. Serial #39180_. Box Says Special Features: Target. Finish: B. Pinned. In Box with Warranty card, cleaning, etc.

I can upload pics if necessary. I think most of my details are correct. I also have a couple others, but they don't have the model # stamped in them, so I'll need to do a little detective work with the serial #'s, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

What is the letter prefix on your M29-2? It should be either an "S" or an "N".

Are you sure your M631 isn't a 4" barrel? Measure from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel. These aren't found often.

M19-2s are nice guns also.

Actually, all of your Smiths are nice ones.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

You have a nice group of revolvers. The best way to price them is to look at completed auctions on Gunbroker.
Pictures and details of condition are a must to determine value.

How about posting some pictures of the last one.......model 36 / target

Nice group....wish I had some $$$

29-2 S pre-fix ?? 1966-67
60 ???? not in pre R pre-fix range and too high for R pre-fix
19-2 number missing I think
631
60-4 1990-

18-2 1967
15-2 1967
36 1962-69
34-1 1965-69
19-2 2.5" 1966
19-2 4" 1966
66 1972
17-2 1968

Not an expert and may be off base some but hope this helps.....

rick

Nice well rounded collection. Could you post pics of the Model 19-2 (357 Combat Magnum) 2 1/2" Barrel, and the Model 15-2 (.38 Combat Masterpiece) 4" Barrel?

rags

__________________
RIP Shipmate

Awesome list!! There's a few on my wish list that are on your list list. If you post pictures of the whole lot you will make us happy.

The 29-2 has an S prefix.
Sorry, the 631 has a 4" barrel. That was a typo.
Will this forum let you upload pics direct from your computer, or do you have to use imageshack or something like that to link them in? Once I get my kids down, I can post pics for everyone.
A few of them have the factory fat trigger or hammer? What's the proper way to refer to those?

Oh, the big kicker on those Model 36's is, they are sequential! forgot to add that!
On the boxes for both of those, in the special features section on the boxes, it says: T.P. Target and the other just says Target. Anyone know the difference? What does it add to the collectors value if they are sequential? Both of these are basically new in the box.

Nice bunch of revolvers. That's a good collection right there.

I tend to discount the value of consecutive serial numbers. I look at individual guns, not two-packs. Others find consecutive numbers collectible, so opinions vary on that count.

__________________
David Wilson

Jimbeaux, thanks for the input. Her are a couple adds to your post.

60 ???? not in pre R pre-fix range and too high for R pre-fix (It's still in the box. I double checked. # is correct. I've read about the early ones having the stainless rear sight, and that's what this has. Don't know if that helps date it).

19-2 number missing I think (I double checked, the whole # is listed with an _ for the last digit.)

631 Update-(Grips were marked underneath with April 9, 1990)

I've got 2 other pistols that I don't know how to describe. They don't have a model # or a "Name" marked anywhere on them. If you could tell me how they're referred to, that would be great.

As far as helping with current pricing, as one member suggested, I normally watch GB and put similar pistols in my watch list, and then look at the auctions with bids to see what they are actually selling for. On a couple of these, I didn't know how they were referred to because they didn't have a specific model #.

Mystery Pistol #1: Almost identical to my 29-2. Caliber is 44 S&W Special. Blue. Barrel is 6.5". Pinned barrel. Adjust. Sites. Diamond Grips, but has a fatter factory hammer, but just a regular width trigger. Under the barrel in the recessed area and the bottom of the grip are marked with S-14586_. Grips have magnetic piece in top. When cylinder is open, there is a G5865_ over an 8, stamped inside.

Mystery Pistol #2: Almost identical size/shape of my 19-2. Caliber is 44S&W Special. Blued. Barrel is 4". Adjust. Sites., Diamond Grip, Pinned Barrel, Under barrel inside recessed area is marked S 14108_ and when the cylinder is opened, there is an O, under that the #5327_, over an 8.

Any help in identifying what these last 2 pistols are is greatly appreciated. I'm fired up to know how active this forum is, compared to some of the others I frequent. Thanks for your help on this.

The last two sound like 1950 Target Model 44 Specials. Very desirable and the 4" would be very valuable as few were made on special order. The serials would be from 1955.

SaxonPig beat me on the pop quiz. I thought it was an open book (3rd edition) exam.

Great list of smiths.

Mystery Pistol"s........GASP...1950 Target Model 44 Specials
yea, I'm jealous....

I knew they be able to help you over here,,lol

The 631 is in the $800.00 zone, especially if you have the box. Pictures will help a lot when it comes time to sell.

I agree with SaxonPig. Also known as Pre Model 24s. The matching # on the butt, barrel, cylinder, back side of crane (looking thru one chamber with the cylinder open), backside of the extractor 'star' and inside of right grip are the serial number. Disregard the #s in the yoke with cylinder open, they are factory assembler and inspector #s.

The 6.5" should have diamonds in the grips to be correct vintage for that gun.

Do either of these two have a box and or paperwork & tools?

Sorry to hear that you have to sell some of these, it's a nice collection of older choice model Smith revolvers.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Is this your collection or did you inherit it?

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

The 29-2, the Model 19's and the 1950 .44 Specials are all excellent guns in addition to the 631, but overall the whole collection is quite valuable.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

Mystery 4" .44 Special #2 does indeed sound like a pre-24. I (and many others as well) would love to see a photo of that gun ! Is the S&W insignia small and on the left side or large and on the right side plate ?

Jerry

__________________
.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Hondo, you were correct. That first mystery pistol did have the diamond grip, and all of these pistols should be like they came from S&W. Also, the frames on these 2 50's Target Pistols are identical, one is just a longer barrel.
On the 6" barrel, it definitely has a factory fatter hammer and trigger.
On the 4" barrel, the trigger is fatter, but it's something overlayed on the trigger that makes it fatter. It's got the same groves in it, etc. as the other fat trigger, except it's secured on the right side by 2 allen screws. On the left side of the trigger extension, there is a "P" and on the right side of the trigger an "AI" or "A1"

On both of those Mystery Pistols (50's Target Models), neither of them have a serial # on the grips, but both have the same style diamond wood grips, that are oversized, and have an indention where your right thumb would sit on the left of the pistol. They do not have the football shaped thing on the inside of the grip, so i'd assume they are what came on them. When I get a chance this week, I'll post high res pics of them with grips removed, and closeup of proofs, etc.

Neither of the 50's target pistols have a box, papers, or cleaning supplies. The 4" Barrel Pistol #2 is the only one that shows any real signs of use, but it's just slight holster rubs on the left side of the muzzle and other common areas. Definitely used, but NOT abused in any way. The 6" barrel one is in excellent shape.

I've got great high res images of all of these, and will post them when I get time this week, so if any of you have requests, shoot me a PM or post it here. Send me your email and it's easier for me to shoot you a photo instead of going through the trouble to post it and link it into this thread.

Does anyone know a way to do a batch upload of pics to this forum instead of cut/pasting in all the imageshack links in separately?

Thanks in advance for any more input you guys could give me.
As I said early on, those that give beneficial input to this thread will get taken care of.

Oops. Wrong tone for me, so I will drift off elsewhere. I am happy to share knowledge and express appreciation for fine revolvers when I see them, but I am not a research assistant and I don't do pre-arranged reciprocal back-scratching.

It's a good specimen collection of model-marked revolvers. I wish you good luck selling the ones that you need to.

__________________
David Wilson

"On the 4" barrel, the trigger is fatter, but it's something overlayed on the trigger that makes it fatter. It's got the same groves in it, etc. as the other fat trigger, except it's secured on the right side by 2 allen screws. On the left side of the trigger extension, there is a "P" and on the right side of the trigger an "AI" or "A1".

That's an aftermarket trigger shoe. It gives the effect of the wider target trigger. Some of them can interfere with holstering, aqctually causing the shoe to hang on the holster and discharge the revolver.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

David, I would edit my last post, but I wouldn't want it to look like I was retracting something I said.
As I mentioned early on, I know a good bit about collecting several variants of rifles and pistols and follow market prices on those closely, but S&W revolvers are not my area of expertise. I am blown away by the amount of knowledge many of this forum members have and I have a great deal of respect for the amount of time that goes into acquiring that knowledge.
I've been extremely pleased with everyone's responses on this forum.
To expand on my last post, I will be selling off most of these revolvers and I'll be using the feedback from here to help me determine which ones stay and which ones go. I'm not necessarily selling the most rare, cheapest, most expensive, etc. I'll just keep a few that I'm drawn to and sell the remainder.
I'm hoping this will be a GOOD thing for those who are interested in some of the pistols in the collection. I'm very aware that I could just list these on GB and let the guy with the most $ get it, but honestly, I don't want it to go to the guy with the most $. I'd rather it go to someone at a fair market price, who had always wanted one of them and truly appreciated the revolver for what it was, and not how much it was worth.
One member had PM'd me about a specific model and mentioned he'd been looking for one of them, so I PM'd him back and said he had first dibs on it and to send me his email and I'd send him pictures back. I didn't make him do any research for it. So, before I list it for sale anywhere, I'll offer it to him.
As we all know, if you're into guns long enough, you'll stumble onto a great deal every now and then. I'm hoping I can make this one of those situations for some members here, and wasn't just popping up on this forum to bribe people into doing research for me, in hopes of getting something back.
I've also offered to photograph any of these from any angle, showing proof marks, boxes, grips, or anything else some other collectors might need to help fit pieces of the overall picture together for them and their knowledge of S&W Revolvers.
Again, thanks for all those who have volunteered their knowledge on these, and if there's anything I can do to help return the favor, I'll gladly do it.
If any of these models catches your eye, shoot me a PM with your personal email and we can go from there.
-Sam

The problem will be determining this elusive "fair price." What one man thinks is fair, another considers highway robbery. Also, you will get wildly varying estimates depending on who you ask.

The auction really is the best way to get a fair price for your guns.

I would start the 1950s at $1,500 each and see what happens. They might sell... they might sell for a lot more... or you can try again at a lower starting price.

Nice guns. The 1950s are very much in demand (and the 4" in particular). Good luck.

Yea, on those 50's, they'll probably end up on GB because it's hard to get a comp on them.-sam

How correct you are on the 60.....manuacture date is sometime between 1965-1969.......R prefix started in 1969. SN's 490001 to 712250 normally have satin finish as per SCSW. 19-2 manufacture dates 1961-66. However, K1360X is in the 1947 range....Combat Magnum was introduced in 1955 at SN K260001and became the Model 19 in 1957. That is why I was wondering about a missing digit. Great collection and they have to be fun to handle.....a Model 15, Model 18 and Model 19 all in 4" would be all a man ever needed......probably not all he wanted !!!

rick

Now how did you acquire all of these beauties, we like stories and pictures!! I would suggest listing all here first, we like giving S&W's good homes (safes, top night stand drawer). If you select the search function can search by tag, the most used show up plus they show up at the bottom of this page. You can seach the guns for sale section using these tags to see what they sold for previously.

Ok, guys, I finally got around to taking some photos. I'll start with the worst condition revolver of the whole lot, so the condition only gets better from here, and trust me, this one looks like a beater compared to the finish on all the others.

They aren't as clear as I'd like and the lighting isn't great. Also, the humidity is crazy here this time of year, and when I take anything metal, glass, etc. out of my house and into my workshop, it just continues to fog up for about 20 min and the oil on the guns doesn't want to rub off evenly. Hence the rainbow effect you'll see in some of the pics, but they give you a good idea of the overall look. The lighting isn't great either. I took these under 2 fluorescent tube lights that are over my workbench. That's what caused the long white reflections in the finish. Sorry! It was the best I could do at the time. I'll probably re-shoot these with indirect outside light before I post them in an auction.

I'll post the pictures in separate lots as I have time over the next couple of days. I only shot pics of about 6 or 7 of them so far.

Any input you guys would like to offer on these would be welcomed. Some of the models I have, I've given first dibs to board members who emailed me.













Ok, I think these are back up now. Don't know how I deleted those last ones.

Ok, Here is the 6.5" Target Model. Some images are duplicates, but with a different background/lighting. I figured I'd just post whatever I had so you could compare them.
Let me know what yall think.
Serial # is S14586_.

That is the most beautiful 1950 Target 44 Special I've ever seen. It features a target hammer, standard trigger, and target stocks. Someone has taken good care of it and stored it well. The bbl will likely measure as 6.5". The stocks are scarce, of the proper era, and valuable in and of themselves. The 44 Special is a round with a dedicated following (of which I'm one). As, I believe, someone has already indicated it was made 1955-56 timeframe. My reference list it as being worth around $900 in excellent condition but the grips would add to the value. I'd estimate fair retail to be somewhere in the $1000 to 1250 range.
Your 4" is indeed in lesser condition but also has the target stocks. The hammer and trigger are standard and an aftermarket trigger shoe has been installed. You may remove this with a small allen wrench if you wish. The bbl length is far less common so, even with the condition, I'd say it is likely worth $250 or so more than the 6.5". All these "values" are mere educated speculations, mind you and other members may have valid-yet-differing opinions. The opinion of an actual buyer is, of course, what matters in the end.

Ok Guys, here is the 631. I've read several different #'s on how many of these were made with these grips, in the 4", with adjustable sites? Anyone have any idea, or seen what one sold for lately?

Grips are marked on inside with matching serial # and April 9, 1990.

According to the Standard Catalog of S&W, 5474 of these were produced in 1990. The grips are correct and it is built on the small J-frame. It was worth around $500 in that state (Exc, no box) when the book was published six years ago. With the economy the way it is and so many people selling off good collectibles, it probably has not shot up too much from there. It is a nice, practical little gun that would appeal to shooters and collectors alike though.
In 1998, S&W made up another 40. These too had the cool combat stocks, red ramp sight, etc...the only listed difference is they used a wider, serrated trigger while the thousands made in '90 used a smooth combat trigger.

The Model 36 Targets are probably the most valuable of the guns you have listed. Unless they will letter as shipping as a pair it really won't add that much. S&W rarely shipped consecutive guns together as they rarely made guns in sequential order.
BTW Welcome to the Forum

Yes, you have to use a 'host' for pictures.
The proper term for 'fat' hammer or trigger is Target hammer or Trigger.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Yes, the trigger was a .347" wide target trigger instead of the standard .312" smooth combat trigger.

one65r: is the trigger grooved?

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I'll have to check the trigger tonight. I'm pretty sure this is a 1990 model, hence the date on the inside of the original grips. Honestly, I thought there were considerably less of these run in that initial batch. Is the # you mentioned above (approx. 5K), the total # produced, but not broken down by barrel length or grip style. I know the 4" is the most sought after one, and I've seen some with some ugly grips on them also. I think this thing is beautiful and every person who has ever seen the collection, this is the first one they pick up because of the way it just feels good. You mentioned a value closer to $500. I've only seen about 6-7 of them sell and the cheapest was the shorter 2" that looked pretty ragged with not so attractive grips and it sold for $630 back in May. All of the 4" ones I've seen have sold between a little over $800-$950. We'll see. I think another forum member here already has his eye on this one so I'm sure it will stay in the family.

Yes, 5,474 was the toatal number of the 1990 run. The 4", like yours, was by far the most common variant. There were only 190 2" examples and then another 2" "Ladysmith" version in unspecified numbers.

Ok, I had read this thread and a few others and I thought it said otherwise, but maybe I was misreading something.
S&W model 631, 32 mag
And this thread:
http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com...p/t-58148.html
And I'm by no means trying to trump anyone's information with these links, I'm just showing why I was lead to believe that about the 4" model.
I thought if you read it 2 places on the internet, it was automatically true?

I'm quoting you figures right out of the SCSW and I see no actually stats within the thread you reference. All collector books can have errors, but it would make sense for S&W to make more 4" guns so I tend to believe Supica nd Nahas. There may be folks on the forum with a higher level of expertise and they will certainly chime in at some point. You might get around $800 for it on gunbroker or auctionarms, but I would doubt a collector would want it that badly without the box.

As I said in the posts you linked to, the 631's are selling for above $700.00 easily, I would say NIB would be 800 to $1000.00. Don't laugh, we are fanatical about our 32"s. I have over 10 of them, dang kids have most of them now!! (Four adults plus extra's for my grandkids).
I think the quantity of them produced is not the biggest selling point, the people like me that love shooting the 32 magnum are the ones that will pay those prices.
I never owned an .357 revolver until two years ago, I finally got a model 66. I have not even shot it yet, heck I don't even have ammo either!!

Any more info or pics and prices ?

rick

Hello One65r
The info on the Model 15-2 is a little bit puzzling. You say it does not have diamond grips. The serial number suggests production in 1967. At that point S&W was still shipping these with diamond grips - they did not stop doing that until the next year, 1968.
Now, we know that S&W did not always ship in serial order, so I suppose this revolver could have gone into the vault and not been shipped until they were all out of diamond grips. But are you sure this one is without?
Also, are they Magna or Target stocks?

I have really enjoyed this thread and am intrigued by the selection of Smith revolvers you are holding. I particularly enjoyed reading about and seeing those lovely 1950 Model .44s. I have a lettered, NIB 24-3, but an original 1950 is merely a dream gun for me. Anyway, yours is very beautiful. Thanks for showing it to us.
Regards,
JP

The only problem with that is that the stocks were a fitted item IIRC so even if the gun languished in the vault for years, the diamond stocks would have all ready been with the gun.

There is no telling exactly when S&W stopped using the diamond stocks on all models however, the general feeling is that it phased in in 1968.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

James,

I have to agree, I thought the same thing!

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I'm still here. I just added a 3rd addition to my family about 2 weeks ago, so priorities first along with my day job. Needless to say, this is a big project to undertake even without all the other stuff I've been juggling.

I thought I had all of these photographed, but I just got through looking at them to post specific pistols people had requested, I realized I had skipped a few. I'll try and get to them tonight and if I get a chance today, I will post the pair of 36's, and a few others.

Regarding the grips on the Model 15, I had 4-5 sets of Smith grips that went with these pistols and had just been put in a box over time to keep them together (normally I label everything, but 2 pair of these weren't). One of the sets has a diamond and I believe is identical to the non-diamond set that is currently on the Model 15-2. Once yall see pics, I'm sure some one will be able to fill in the gaps. Will the symbol on the box in the Stock section, designate between Diamond and non diamond grips?

I know one set is serial #'d to go with the 6.5" model pre-24. It's a smaller set that came with the pistol along with a set of target grips that aren't #'d to the pistol, but the larger grips have always been on it. Would this have been common? Serial # and match a pair of the original smaller grips to the 50's model target pistol, and then add a set of the larger target grips before it left S&W? Shipped with 2 pair of grips?

I may post a pic of the grips in another thread, because I can't remember exactly which gun 2 of them went with.

Thanks again for everyone's input and PM's. It's been a overload of welcomed information. Honestly, this has fueled the flame for my revolver appreciation, so while most of these still have to go, I'm putting a lot more thought into what I may hold on to, or what I can sell from other parts of my collection in order to hang on to a few more of these. I also figured the least I could do was to join as a paying member of the forum, and start contributing back a little if at all possible. Unfortunately, right now, if it doesn't come from pictures or the boxes, I'm not going to be much help.

On a side note, does anyone know a way to bulk post pics to imageshack and get the link codes for the enlarged pictures and not just the links for the thumbnails that link to the larger picture stored on imageshack's server? You know what I mean? Right now, I'm having to upload all the pics, and then cut/paste the links in individually.

Ok, here's some shots of the 36's. I'll probably re-take these once I've had a chance to wipe them down and get the fuzz from the safe off of them. I'm in MS and the heat/humidity prior to the past few days has been insane. When I moved these from my air conditioned house into my workshop, the difference in the temperature just causes these to fog up repeatedly for awhile and it's hard to even out the oil that's on them. The lighting isn't that great either. Now that we've had a cool streak, I may smooth out the smudges and link and work on some better lighting for my next shots. Let me know what you guys think.

One member mentioned checking to see if these shipped as a pair or separately and how that would add to the value. To me, if they weren't shipped together, it's amazing to me, that they ended back up together. If you look at the writing on the boxes, one just says Target under the Special Features section and one says T.P. Target. I'm sure different builders marked the same features slightly different.











So, what do yall want to see photos of next?
I figured out how to do a batch post of photos, so you just click the thumbnail and it takes you to a larger photo.

Yet another rare set of Smiths,
The previouse owner really knew what to collect, those target sighted Model 36's are rare birds too.
Wow!

WOW! Two target Chiefs Specials! Unbelievable.
Thanks for posting these photos.
JP

Those two Chief Special targets were part of a group of 1006 that were produced in 1966. See page 227 of the History of S&W by Roy Jinks. That was the largest single production of that model.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

I had the pleasure of meeting one65r and viewing his collection today. Even as a jaded collector, I was impressed. The pictures in this thread don't do the guns justice. I felt like I took a time machine back to the mid-60s. I'm selling my collection, or I would have made several offers.