After taking a few years away from buying Smiths the urge over took me in December when a few of my favorites showed up and all were first year guns!! I've posted these already but had a chance to take some better pictures outside today.

First up the Combat Magnum that I hemmed and hawed about for a couple weeks before deciding it need a home in the safe. It came to me with smooth targets but I found a beautiful set of correct walnut diamond targets that 410 was nice enough to part with. The barrel shows wear on both sides but there is hardly even a turn line. It was the first of the month and the most expensive. Great way to break the ice. K262xxx

The second was a K22 Outdoorsman that I stumbled upon and had it with in a few days. Finish is a solid 90+% with muzzle wear, a heavy turn line and a few light scratches. It is an amazing shooter and has already had a couple trips to the range. The stocks are in great shape and numbered to the gun. Single elevation screw and gold call bead. 6352xx

Third was a 38/44 HD that a local shop has had for years but hasn't been willing to sell for some strange reason. I went in looking to kill time and saw they had it in the case with a Sale tag on it. I got to handle it for the first time and it is in well worn shape. Maybe 40% finish. The original stocks are long gone but the service cut stags have been on this old work horse for a long time. On its first trip to the range it is obvious why it is so worn, this gun flat out shoots and the stags feel great in the hand. The best news was when I sent the serial number in to our 1Aspenhill he confirmed that it was shipped Dec 1930! another first year gun. 374xx

The guns are all held up by 38-55 brass that feed the 1896 Mod 94 that I bought off a guy looking to sell an estate rifle after the shop that I bought the 38/44 from said that they weren't buying guns and told to go else where. Since it is third or forth year gun and not a Smith I will have post it else where

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No pic's, it didn't happen.......

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Love early Combat Magnums,
Does K-262,xxx have a 10 groove or 6 groove backstrap ?

It is a 10 grove frame.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Guys let's see some of your first year guns!

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Sweet Potato pie...Daddy likeyyyy

"Gotta love first year guns Combat Mag, K22 Outdoorsman, 38/44 HD"

... Why yes...yes I do...

Very nice - thanks for sharing.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Nice trio you have there sir.
Also good to hear they are all shooters.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Great guns! Great month! Enjoy and congrats!

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38-44heavyduty.com

I was lucky enough to be able to get a May '54 Highway Patrolman from a fellow forum member (I had a 5 screw already but not a first year) to help fill out the HP assortment (Thank You Katherine) . I too have been looking at first year Combat Magnums for some time (birth year gun) but have not 'pulled the trigger' on one,,, maybe some day. That's a great looking collection and yet another angle to consider as a collection niche (I need to hide the bullets from the Mrs. before she kills me). Anyway,,, the May 1954 HP with a back ground that also has an easy time sucking money from the checking account.

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