Anything engraved by Nimschke...

,,,(yea, I know...wrong board)

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Pace

All above are great choices, but how about a somewhat economical choice?

5-Screw Highway Patrolman Revolvers, especially in 4" variation. These long time "working guns" are getting harder to find and especially hard to find in fine condition with original boxes. Heck, I don't even see many early HP empty boxes for sale too often either.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

How about a Pre War 4" Heavy Duty with Humpback Hammer?

Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

I like this C M (22 cal.)that I recently pick up.
Dick

THIS is what I love about the Forum....I learn something every time I visit! I was not aware that such a beast actually existed......

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Even older, even crankier....

You finally learned how to post pictures. I am so proud of you. Welcome to the 21st Century.
Paul

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"NUTS"

I'm a big boy now. My Mom just took the cork off my fork!
Paul, Where in the H E double hockey sticks have you been? I thought I'd see your picture on a milk carton, or a feature on America's Most Wanted. Big gun show on Jan 25 & 26 in Marlboro MA.

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Don Mundell

I can't disagree with what anyone likes. I like them all and have been pretty successful in adding at least one of each to my collection over the years. Most of mine are at best high condition shooters but are nonetheless highly coveted collection members. My tastes have progressed over the almost 40 years I have collected these fine gus.

I initially sought Pre-WII N-Frames like the 38-44 Outdoorsman, Non-Registered Magnum and Registered Magnum below.











But in seeking examples of these I began to appreciate and acquire some of the smaller frame guns of the same period like the M&P 38 Target (Model of 1905, 4th Change), 32 H.E.(Model of 1903, 3rd Change) and Terrier below.








In recent years I've come to appreciate the antique Smiths and the Top Break DA's and their place in history like the Old Model Army, 2nd Model Schofield, and group of Top Breaks shown below.

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Rush

Bill, which specimen of wood was used for that particular set of grips?

This thred generates so many prizes and Christmas is coming,
Maybe I ought to take my .44spl 22nd Target out for a few dozen rounds.

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Halfway and one more step

For me it would have to be a triple lock target. Were any of the ones in 45 colt targets? I love 45 colts and that would be the absolute tops. I would probably have to sell my house to buy it though.

I have a triple lock target, but my personal fav is very similar to a RM; a Pre-27, 5".
(I like it much better than a 3 1/2")
I might add that I bought these a few years back before prices went through the roof, but money wasn't so easy to come by for me as it is today.

Each purchase I thought long and hard about and was a budgetary stretch at the time. Believe it or not, I knew about the T-lock for three months before I convinced myself to send the $, about 50% of current estimate.

T-Lock Target (three digit), with Sanderson grips and target.


Pre-27 exactly the way it came to me, no wonder I like it, eh?.

Personally... I'm after a 1950 .44 Military; but I think after the RM, the TL, a 3rd model target, 5 scrw 44mag (type 1), and a 3 1/2" .357 would all be pretty high on the popularity list. (at least in my mind)

The 6" barreled Kit Gun has become harder to locate in these parts anyway. Another is the Target Sighted .32/20 (.32 WCF) has become somewhat difficult to locate. Yes, I'm late to the party but thought of these and didn't see them mentioned, missed them if they were.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

A 1926 or 1950 .44 Military. Of course, I'd settle for that 29-2 fixed sight round butt snubby, like Bill Cross has.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

1917, 1950 (pre-26), 1955 (pre-25). Gotta love moon clips full of 45acp.

I think the 4" Pre-24, bright blue finish, is my favorite, but Combat Magnums are a very close second:

I wouldn't object to having one of these:

My wish list would include a 5" pre-26 target if such an item had been produced. I seem to shoot 5" N frames consistently well. I would love to pick up an HE 3rd 5" .44 spl and a pre-27 5" .357 for both collecting and shooting on Friday afternoons when I'm doing my weekly stress relief at the range.

For me a post war pre Model 21 M&P is my grail gun. A RM 3 1/2" would be a close second.

For me, the most desirable pre-model marked Smith & Wesson would be the 1950 Target .44 Specials, high polish blue, special ordered four- and five-inch barrels. I just love these guns. Four- or five-inch 1950 Targets in .45 Colt and .45 ACP would be close behind.

I love these guns.

This is a devilish thread. I didn’t see it when it first came up, but I have read all of it now.

That’s a tough question. I am a collector and shooter of S&W revolvers, the vast majority being pre-model marked, yet I can’t make a simple answer. The question calls for the choice of one gun and then asks the reason.

Would it be the gun I prefer to shoot above all others?
Would it be the most rare one?
Would it be the most expensive one?
Would it be the one hardest to obtain?
Would it be my favorite handgun caliber?
Would it be the best for home defense or for carry?

Jeez, how do you decide this question?

I suppose it must be the one left in the gun safe if the gods declared all must go away but one. That’s how I interpret this question.

I have this exquisite Model 1955 Target (pre-25). It came with its original diamond target stocks, all in pristine condition. I did one better: I had Keith Brown make me a set of Roper stocks of English walnut. And here it is:











It's not the rarest, not the most valuable, and not the oldest I own. But right now if I had to keep just one this is it.

Tomorrow I might have a different choice. Let's be thankful the gods allow us to have more than one!

Curl

About covers it...................... should have been a short thread...... with a lot of likes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am partial to a caliber more so than a model. .41 for me. Smith's and OM Blackhawks.

To me...it's Pre War n frames.
My 4.5" Non Registered magnum is a grail acquisition and high on the desirable list. Next up would be 4" guns....triple locks, heavy Duty's and the Wolf & Klar .44's.

Attached Images

image.jpg (73.7 KB, 30 views)

Kelpatt...S&W made at least nine 1950 45 Targets with a 5-inch barrel, blue finish, and walnut target stocks. They were shipped to H. H. Harris in Chicago, IL in 1960.

Bill

Wow, Thanks for pic Bill.
My dream gun in living color.
Appreciate your expertise and taking time to show
me such an awesome Smith. Cheers

Bill,
Were there shipments of the heavy barrel .45 acp pre-25 model 1955 in 4" or 5"? Those would be high on the list if made. Kel

Any pre-war .38 or .44 Special with target sights and a special affection for the .38-44 Outdoorsman and ALL the .44s (TL, 2nd HE, 3rd HE).

In the 38 K Frame Target models ... ANY pre-war, any transition to 5 screw .38 Masterpieces and Combat Masterpieces. Then the Single Action Only variations of the 1960s and 1970s.

I never had much use or affection for the .32 Caliber, even though I once owned a pre-war K32 Masterpiece I sold to Ray Brazille for a very handsome price and 2, early post war K-32 Masterpieces, as new or near new in box both in the K+5 digit serial number range. Sold those, too. But I still have a pre-war Colt Officer's Model .32 Caliber Target, in box with test target, papers, etc.

The .32s just didn't hit the hot button for me.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

A 2" Victory,