OLD magazine..great article on old school craftsmanship

[cmansguns]

Looking through some old (really, really old) gun rags kept around for 68 years, moved many times, and came across this 1953-1954 Gun Guide. Since I was only 9 I don't think I bought it...but here it is.

Thumbing through to look up prices in those days and options (stocks, sights, barrel lengths, etc.) I came across this fabulous article on the manufacturing process from raw steel to out-the-door by Smith & Wesson...complete with sixty (60) individual photographs, depicting every step of the way!

I didn't see any photos of Dr. Roy, but he might remember some of those pictured (and named) like the father son team that are pictured looking over a machine grinding extractor rods...Howard Blaisdell, age 75 with 52 years of service and his son Howard Blaisdell Jr, age 41 with 16 years of service at the time the pic was taken for this publication.

Since most of the machinists pictured wore typical shop clothes, most of the folks pictured with suits, ties, vests were probably engineers, but every photo showed individual, personal involvement at whatever operation, and even with that, no less than six quality control checkpoints and hand work.

All in all..........no wonder we love these old wheel guns. Made with superior craftsmanship in days when quality counted and you got what you paid for.

Enjoy

[quinn]

I think American Rifleman had a similar series of photos/story at some point but don't remember the date. The hand work that went into those guns is truly unthinkable today.

[stanmerrell]

That's interesting. I wish I'd kept all my old gun literature from the 70s. I had a pretty good stack, but left it all at home and went off to college in 82. I don't miss wearing ties to work, but appreciate the formality and seriousness of work in those days.

[two-bit cowboy]

Most interesting. Thanks for sharing the article. Like the coats and ties, the journalism of the era is a bit stuffy, but I love it all the same.

The "experimental model" Hellstrom appears to be "inspecting" in the photo on page 1, appears to be what became the Model 39.