Here's my "grail" gun.
Shipped March 11, 1960, my 6.5" M-27.
George with Salt Lake Collectibles found me the nicest set of Coke Bottle Grips I've ever see. They are like brand new and perfect.
I also really like the trigger shoe. I like the feel of it when I squeeze the trigger.
Everybody hates the trigger shoe except me.
A friend added a w/o rear sight for me.
The gun is not perfect. It has some holster wear and a few scratches.
I'm quite sure that its been fired a lot.




Here it is with its big brother, my 6.5" M-29-2 shipped Jan 14, 1964.

Life is good. I hope everyone finds their grail gun.

I posted this in another thread and thought it would be better to post it here.
It doesn't matter what year your's is to fit in this thread.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

I have three that I'd like to get. Model 58, Model 20 4"or 5' and a Colt Metropolitan Mark III

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Let's be careful out there

Three inch Model 19 (500 or so made in the mid-70s) or a gun that was never made a 3" 65NL.

I've got three 3" 66s ..... two -3s I got new in the late 80s the third a -4 I found used about a decade ago

I sold about 1/2 my guns last year keeping my favorites.

I sold one that monetarily was probably worth 4-5 times what this one is worth. For me its not their $$ value.

For me, its the epitome of all revolvers.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

There are still guns that I would buy to fill niches in my collection but a Registered Magnum would be at the top of the list of my grail guns.

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SWHF #595

...closest I have to a grail gun would probably be my Weatherby Mark V...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

I like Regulation Police I frames so for a long time getting a target model was a "grail gun"



Then I found two more!





The bottom one is the earliest known of the model.

Guess I need to "grail" after something else. Probably 6" nickel M frames. Missed two at RIA so I'm still on the hunt for those.
Or a bright blue half moon Baby Chief like two-bit cowboy's.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

While I have a number of guns I wanted that took years and years to find, none has been more elusive for me than finding a really nice S&W shipped in my birth year, 1939. Late last year my dreams came true with this M&P target that was shipped in June, 1939 to a sporting goods store in New Haven, Connecticut, about a mile from the old Winchester plant.



Amazingly, as this is being written, another really nice birth year S&W is in the process of being shipped to me - details and photos later when it comes in. Its condition is amazing.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I guess the closet S&W I have that is often a grail gun is my 1954 vintage pre-model 27.



Some folks may consider a 4 inch 629 no dash a grail gun too.



This 1958 vintage Marlin 336SD in .35 Remington is often a grail gun for those into Marlins.



As for guns I would really like to have, there are many but these are some top candidates:

- Registered or Unregistered Magnum
- Marlin Marauder (1964)
- Early Marlin .410 lever action

I always wanted a 3" heavy barrel .38 spl., got it - Model 36; then the same in .357 got it - 60-14; then 4 3/4" single-action birdshead target trigger, got one in both .357 & .45 Beretta Stampedes; then a 3" Ruger Bearcat, got it - Shopkeeper... replaced by 2 even better 3 1/2" (one converted to .22WMR). Now what do I have left to wish for??

I don't have my grail gun yet. But isn't that what a grail gun is supposed to be? Something that you seek, but haven't quite found or achieved yet?

That 6" 1960's vintage Python that I found last summer should have been "it" for me, but alas, it was not meant to be. I came up short and someone with greater means than moi snapped it up.

Perhaps if the new Python ever comes out in a deep blued finish that begins to approach the original... maybe I'll get a second chance before the evil virus gets me.

That is soo awesome. Good on you.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

The beauty of grail guns is - Once you find your current grail gun, you can move on to finding the next grail gun. You can see my list below, there is a definite progression.....

657 4" - didn't find it, but a close second model 58

Then it was a pre-war 44. Found a 2nd model.

Then it was a 3" 657. Found 3, sold 2.

Then it was a 4" 657 again. Found a 657 6" and sold it.

Then it was a first year 58. Found a nickle one, still have it.

Then it was a 1917. Found a Brazilian, then found a 625 5", still have it.

Then it was a Registered Magnum. I found one, and my dad got it.

Then it was a Non-Registered Magnum. Found it, still have it.

Then it was a 4" 657. Found two still have both.

Then it was a Registered Magnum, found it, and it was a birthday gun It will be buried with me.

Then it was......heck, I don't remember anymore, but I probably bought it and moved on to another one, then another, then another.

It is the grail guns that I have sold that perplex me

I have even bought a few that I didn't even know to look for, but love them any how - Jovino's, King conversions, even a Kieth44spl Reg Mag in 44 Special

What's next? I have to pace myself I suppose, or I will have exhausted all of the S&W models and variations before I am 50

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On the Oak Savannah

Nice.

1954 would be a birth year for me and a pre-27 from then would be nice to have.

I had two pre-27s, both from 1957. A 3.5" and a 4". I recently sold both of them.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

I only own two rifles, a Ruger 10/22 and this DSArm SA58 FAL.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Grail Gun? You mean something that is unobtainable by mere Mortals?



There are two, both Pythons. I have handled both revolvers

The 2 1/2" stainless 22LR Python, serial number "C1". This one was sold at auction a year or two ago for more money that I could afford.



One of the five, 6" Royal Blue, 41 Magnum, Pythons that were made in 1965.

I was offered one 20+ years ago, but I did not have a spare $10,000 at the time (I don't have that cash now either)

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"Acta non verba"

...I guess closest to a grail gun S&W I have is my 1905 M&P target...

...I looked for it a long time and was glad to find it...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

I have one. Not saying what it is. The prices are going way up and I basically can’t afford one off GB anymore. Waiting to find one I can put my hands on but it hasn’t happened.

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-Matt

I won't call it a Grail, because I was able to achieve it, but I had been lusting after one of the 6" Pythons that came through the Custom Shop to get the Elliasion sights s a Factory Option

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"Acta non verba"

Wow, I'm honored! It wasn't even a grail gun when a forum member offered it to me.

Mine was a first year (and my birth year) 1952 Centennial, then I discovered that was, as "colt_saa" said, unobtainable by mere mortals. I became excited to settle for an almost ANIB '55 Centennial.

I have about dozen more Chiefs on my wish list, but I wouldn't call all of them the holy grail. A Baby Chiefs that shipped in my birth month -- June '52 -- would be it, I reckon. I have six birth year Baby Chiefs, but one with a June ship date has alluded me. Any body have one they want to trade?

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I got several "grail" guns. And like the "Holy Grail" my chances of ever putting my hands on one of them are slim to none.

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Expect the unexpected

Yes - a 4" Model 25 in 45 ACP, P&R. No others need apply.

For me, Grail guns have been kinda funny. I had collected/accumulated guns for quite a number of years until I realized that I didn’t have any nickel ones. I had always thought the perfect gun was blued steel and wood.

Then I realized my first Grail gun was a nickel Model 17. I was lucky enough to get one, be it a refinished K22, from my buddy fat tom. My next Grail gun was a nickel Model 27. I got one. Then my next Grail gun was a nickel Pre-model 10. Larry Miller, a forum member, was gracious enough to allow me to be the next caretaker of his near mint one. Since then, I really haven’t had a Grail gun. But because I think everyone should have one, I will continue my nickel obsession.😀 How about an original nickel Highway Patrolman? I think this will be one that will be really difficult to obtain at a price I can afford. Here are some pictures.
Larry

I will add a picture of the nickel K22 when I can dig it up later.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

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Here are a couple of ex grail guns.
The rifle is a .22 Hornet built from a Springfield M1 .22 by Griffin and Howe.
The pistol is a Cavalry SAA inspected by Ainsworth that showed up at my door in very poor condition.

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I have a couple actually...….

True/lettered snubby WWII era Victory and Commando model revolvers.

Doubt it will ever happen due to what most folks want for them moneywise, but maybe someday???

Dale

I have some guns which might be considered more 'fantasy guns'. There are some modifications which I suspect people did to guns at one time or another, and I would like to find such a gun. Really though, at this point, for real guns that exist that I could consider my "Grail Gun"? There's just one that fits that description:

I have a couple. First is a high condition 357 Magnum (pre-27) with a 6 1/2" barrel, more specifically, a non-registered magnum. I have found them on occasion, but for more than I'm willing to give. Second is a very early production Colt 357 with a 6" barrel. I have a 4" which took me 10 years to find. The hunt is half the fun.

My grail gun? Easy. S&W Model 19-3... four inch barrel... nickel plated... white outline rear sight and read ramp from sight. Bianchi 111 holster w/ Bianchi belt w/ brass buckle. Had one like this when I graduated seminary in 1983. Gave it to my father b/c my wife and I were so grateful to what he and my mother did encouraging us, as we followed the call of God in pastoral ministry. My father died in 2008. When we went looking, the revolver was gone. Would like to again have one like it. Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

Got a 6 1/2" pre 27 I'm willing to part with............. if I've got the date right............. looks like a ....... a 19...........39

PM me if you're interested......

Several, but all are Colts. Probably the only S&W Grail Gun I would like is a Mexican Model.

Not sure what the definition of a 'grail gun' would be, but I am thinking it would be something you want or have wanted and finally found. I would divide those into two categories; collectibles and shooters.
For collectibles, I have a first year Colt M1911 that was sent to the Navy and is so marked. Also have a first year Registered Magnum (reg 122) and a pre-27 that is a FACTORY ORIGINAL pinto.
For shooters I have a modified Model 57 that has a 5" barrel and is hard chromed, and another shooter which is a modified WWII Remington Rand with Colt hard slide and has been accurized.
I can post pictures if anyone else is interested in this kind of stuff.

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John
SWCA #3401 SWHF #737

Maybe I should have used favorite instead.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

I gave up on finding my grail gun so I decided to have it built. I know in my heart that if I ever did find a 5" 44 3rd Model Target that I could not afford it.
I took a 44 2nd Target and an NOS pre-model 21 barrel to a gun maker. Didn't ask what it would cost or how long it would take.
Then I figured, what the heck, as long as this is my "wish" gun, I might as well have the frame color cased while I'm at it.

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

My favorite ones are S&W Model 23 Outdoorsman 61/2" barrel "transition" model and the Model 20 Heavy-Duty .38/44 with 5" barrel!!!
RR

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"Off we go..."

Well, that's a whole different ballgame! So now I can count family heirlooms and favorite shooters?

I think you better stick with our respective searches for the Holy Grail.

My Grail gun is a Ruger Sp101 chambered in .357 magnum with a 3 inch barrel.
Ruger website model number 5719

I have a couple grail guns on my list.

1) Jimmy Stewarts Reg Mag tops my list. He grew up pretty close to where I did and for what I have heard about him was a patriot and man of integrity. Also the Philadelphia Story got me hooked on his movies.

2) The elusive fixed sight prewar K 22 Outdoorsman

3) K22 Super King Target preferably sold right from King

If I engage in such dreaming, a 1948 vintage K-32 with light barrel and narrow rib qualifies as my “grail gun.” In my hunt I’ve been able to have a recreation of a Model 16-3 built, but if I’m honest with myself, this is like putting champagne in a red Solo Cup... it works, but it lacks a certain level of class.

Another dream, which is perhaps able to be achieved, I’d like a Baby Chiefs Special with the King’s Super Police conversion... and it wouldn’t even have to be from King to make me happy!

Froggie

S&W never made one. How are you going to use half moon clips with .45 ACP cartridges if the cylinder is recessed? Even if only full moon clips were used, the chambers still wouldn't be fully recessed.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Manurhin MR73

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Oops! I was trying to indicate pre-1980. Meant ‘pinned.’

A nice shooter grade pre war 6-1/2" 38/44 Outdoorsman with a "cockeyed" hammer. While I am wishing add a nice set of Ropers!

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shrade

Here are mine. A couple 3” 629 44 magnums. Looked for one for a while. Ended up finding two, a 629-1 and a 629-3. I guess I’d still like to find a 4” 44 Spl Triple Lock that I could afford.

Mine is a birth year (1965) 29-2 4" barrel blue. They are out there but not in my price range.

For over 30 years, I lusted for a 1926 .44 Special. The few that I found for sale had price tags that rivaled most of the cars that I had bought. I finally found one when I had enough money to buy one. Please read post # 1 of the attached thread for the story about the purchase and to see some pictures.

Let's see those 1926 .44 Specials!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Right now that's a K frame 32 M&P ...or a 4th model 44 special....it changes after I find the last "grail gun" i found

Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

My first ever grail gun was a fiberglass stocked Springfield Armory M1A - my Army basic training weapon was a fiberglass stocked M-14. Only one in the company - trust me, I took a lot of ribbing for that! I did obtain one in 1990, I think, it sat unfired forever, I finally did shoot it a few years ago, then it sat in my safe. Then the fiberglass stock got messed up with water and fire quenching chemicals in 2018's fire and we restocked it with an official Army wood stock. Now it's for sale because it ain't the same anymore!

A 4" Model 19 was a grail gun after 1997 when the one that I had blew up on me. Bad ammunition. Long story of no importance here. So I replaced it on this Forum a couple of years ago. It survived the fire like all of the other guns but was one of the guns that got messy. Buh-bye!

So, yup, I did have another grail gun and finally obtained that one on this Forum, too. A 4" Model 25-5 in .45 Colt that I really love. It came through the fire unscathed and looks like this:



One other grail gun that I had for many years and resolved that issue only a couple of months ago - one of the raciest, sexiest, best looking guns ever, a SIG Sauer P 230. Yes, it's a .380 and uses old European technology like the magazine release in the butt but, still, so gorgeous.....

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Come and take it!!

Since I am narrowing my collecting to mostly dash 2 versions of the Model 19 family I would have to say a 19-2 3inch. I have seen one picture of a blued version and I have no idea if they made any in nickel.

Good pickup. I just glanced over that one.