Just curious..... Who here is an original owner of their P&R and earlier S&W's. All frames invited. Let's see the pictures of those guns that have been with you a long, long time... Give us a short story about it..

My Model 57, shipped from S&W in March 1979. I was working for a gun shop, and one of the owners, who was a police officer, was sent to S&W for Armorer's school. He asked me if I wanted him to bring a gun back for me, and I asked for a Model 57, which he bought and brought back. I've had it ever since. I put the Jordan Trooper stocks on it for shooting, but I still have the original grips too.

Who you calling old???

The flap and thumb-break holster were purchased when I bought the gun! Mid-1970's, high school summer vacation... I worked at a gas station and made time payments to the FFL. My dad did the paperwork, because I was too young. I never saw the gun until it was paid off - I cut the packing tape on the carton!

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"I also cook."

Don't have pictures handy, but I have have and frequently carry a M60 I bought in 1970. Also have a M18 from 1972. I bought both NIB.

Your question is kind of depressing! My first thought was, that's a silly question, EVERYONE here still has at least one of their original purchases. Then I realized probably many started purchasing well after the P&R era.

This is the first one I bought. Actually, Dad signed for it. I was too young.

Not recessed, of course, but pinned. I bought this Chiefs Special in 1973. I carried it regularly for 30 years. It is more or less retired now, but I did sight it with BB heavy .38 plus-p this Summer. It usually rests in a "secret" place in my home now. I usually carried it in my right hip pocket, not in a holster. Hot, humid Georgia weather has taken a toll, as you can see. I have fallen in Whitewater Creek with it in my pocket several times when working on an irrigation intake pipe. I have thought about having it refinished, but, nahh. I don't think so.

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Georgia On My Mind

Born in 1976 and didn't get my permit until 1995. Both were long gone by them.

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Vaya con Dios

Bought this one in 1966

Model 58

Pinned but not recessed. I bought this M14-3 new in 1979/80 through the gunshop I was working at during that time. The gun remained nearly unfired until just a few years ago when I decided to focus back on revolvers after a 30+ year run with 1911s.

"Let's see the pictures of those guns that have been with you a long, long time..."

Hey! It was just the other day. It doesn't seem all that long since they were first acquired!

These have been shown several times in the past few months.

This Model 14-4 and Model 17-4 were purchased as a pair, brand new in early 1980, for literally around $40. It was during the time that silver spiked and I scooped a few rolls of common date Roosevelt dimes out of the bottom of the coin box that had been bought at face value, sold them for something like $21 on the dollar and purchased the pair of revolvers. Also purchased a pair of the very first extended-wear contact lenses for my wife at the same time. The Model 14 cost $209 and the Model 17 cost $259.

I had been wanting an 8 3/8-inch Model 14 for several years. It was a dream gun of mine. Since I was feeling flush, I purchased the Model 17-4 with matching long barrel. Didn't actually think I'd really like the Model 17 at the time of purchase. Never dreamed that I'd end up firing more rounds through it than any other firearm I've ever owned while the Model 14 may have had 1500 rounds fired through it.

Model 14-4


Model 17-4


A few months later though I paid through the nose for this Model 29-2 but it was worth it. It was $489, take it or leave it, back when the Model 29 could be sold well above suggested list. This one was used for hunter pistol silhouette competition for 4 seasons, has taken a couple of deer, and has been used for a lot of fun plinking and handload development work. It never has given trouble using heavy loads.

Model 29-2


After trading in and out of several new and used Model 19, Model 28, and Model 27 .357 revolvers, I settled down with this 6-inch Model 27-2 in about 1981. I shot some hunter pistol silhouette competition with it before getting out of the discipline when they began allowing scopes in competition. Original purchase price was $295.

Model 27-2


A couple more, purchased new that didn't stick around. Wished I'd kept them now.

Prior to obtaining the 6-inch Model 27 above I had purchased an 8 3/8-inch Model 27. This one seemed so nice and matched the other long-barreled revolvers that had been accumulated, but must have had a "slow" barrel. Most .357 Magnum handloads gave higher velocities from the 6-inch barrel than they did from the 8 3/8-inch barrel. The 8 3/8-inch Model 27 was used once to swat at an owl who tried to land on a friend and me while I was blowing a wounded rabbit call one evening.

A nice new 4-inch blue Model 19 came and went sometime in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

Hello. I bought this Model 19 NIB in the '70's and later gave it to my father for home protection. With his passing it returned back to me.



Best.

I have a 19-3, 629, 18-3, and a 66-1.

I bought this 5" 27-2 new in about 1970. It had no extras. I sent it to the factory and got all the extra,s. The wide target hammer & trigger, wo rs and rr, smooth presentation grips, wood presentation box. I couldnt resist getting my name engraved in gold in a gold oval. I think that was $66s.

Ya know.... For many of us our old S&W's are like old friends. Many of us had to struggle to buy those guns back then and parting with one today could be like loosing an arm.

I chose the pinned or pinned and recessed models because of the time frame. Because they were no longer made after about 1982 that would indicate those who posted have owned their revolvers for over 40 years. Those guns have lived through good times and bad just like their owners. I'm sure many had to sacrifice to have kept their handgun treasures so long.

Many S&W models were extremely hard to find and to buy during those years. I find the quest to have found them and stories about what people paid, as well as what people went through for their acquisition interesting.

That these pistols were held on to for over 40 years is a tribute to both the firearm and their owners in my opinion...

I hope others will post their pictures and stories here too. I believe there are many people who enjoy reading them as much as I do.....

More that that. The one of mine you see literally is "family." The connection to my Dad is especially important to me.

Over the years, that gun has fired thousands of rounds and has gone with me many places - probably some it shouldn't have. It has been through one complete rebuild (at S&W), has a replacement barrel, has been factory refinished, and has completely worn out two sets target stocks. Worthless to a collector, but it is priceless to me.

don't have picture posting capability,but i bought new and still have the following-- model 53-83/8, model 25-2-61/2, model 41-51/2hb, model 15, 2-model 29-4and 61/2, model 57-4and6, model 25-5-4and6, model 66-21/2. most were bought during the 70's. revovlvers pinned and recessed where available and the model 41 is a pre-a prefix.

I bought three M28s and a M19 new. All of them are long gone.

I do have a M25-5 4" blue that I bought new. Of course, it isn't recessed. I sold it once, but was able to buy it back three years ago.

I've posted the picture a number of times. I roundbutted it right after I got it (1980), a few years before S&W offered RB N frames.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here is an old picture of my first "bought new" S&W, a
K-22 that I bought new in 1957 at age 20. It's been with me 53 years and is still here and in pretty good shape.
teesur.

I have a few that I bought new and still have:
18-4 4" blue (22 LR)
28-2 4" blue (357)
29-2 6 1/2" blue (44 Mag)
60 2" (pinned but not resessed as it is a 38 Spl)
63 4" (22 LR)
66-1 4" (357)
66-1 2 1/2" (357)
I have a few others that have been bought used over the years. They are like part of the family, they have been around so long.

My first P&R was a 6" model 19 in 1974, followed by a couple of blue 29s a 6" and a 8 3/8". The only one left that I bought new is a 629 no dash. Will post a pic later.

Your simple story is powerfully moving to me for my own reasons. My membership renewal has already been multiplied in return value.

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Idaho , Elmer and Milt

My list of P&R guns I shoulda never sold:
1971 - NIB purchase Model 14 K-38 Masterpiece
1972 - NIB purchase Model 19 Combat Magnum (4" of course)
1979 - Used Model 28 4". No idea DOB, but I carried that gun on duty until the 686 was released for sale.

I miss 'em all, but I'm actively looking for a good Model 28 4" or Model 27 3.5".

Original owner of a 4" S&W mod 28-2 bought in 1982. I had ordered it from my local gunshop with smooth trigger and target grips. I later had a Wolf Spring kit installed. I carried it on duty for several years. Great gun that I still enjoy today.

My original P&R's purchased new and still have are 2 ea. 29's, a 28 and a 19.

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S&W Accumulator

Being a first year baby boomer, I became financially capable of acquiring quality firearms in my late 20's and early 30's. Those who care enough to do the math will note that means I began purchasing new Smith and Ruger revolvers in the early 1970's. The late 60's found me with primarily Rugers, a super single six, then a Blackhawk, and finally a Flattop and Super Blackhawk 44 magnum. What was next.....of course, a model 29. My first 'N' frame was a Model 29-2 4inch blue in 1973, then it was off to the races. I bought roughly two new Smith 29's, 27's, and 25's annually, as often as I could find them primarily from Montgomery Wards in Southern California and other venues. I also acquired a number of 'K' frames, and still possess a few 'J's, but 'N's with the caliber beginning the number '4' were (and continue to be) my favorites. I continued doing so as funds became available up to my last pinned and recessed in roughly 1980, an early model 629 6 inch. I believe I still own all of them, but a few could have dropped from my memory. Most were/are 3 T's in mahogany presentation boxes. The majority are model 29's, in that I was and continue to be enamored with the caliber. My favorite 27 is my five inch, primarily due to my belief that a five inch 'N' frame is perhaps the most well balanced and attractive of them all. Being as all were pinned and recessed, it didn't mean anything to me at the time. My steady purchases of non pinned and recessed continued through the 1980's up to the mid-90's with most being stainless and blue three inch 'N's and a few Mountain Guns. Then, the IL and other factors caused me to stop new purchases and hunt for more of the the older models.

Referring back to the original posting, I bought all these firearms because of my timing in life and had no idea, nor did I even care, that they were pinned and recessed, or that they would become desirable or increase in value. I just enjoyed the beauty, workmanship, and shear pleasure of handling and shooting the best of the best. I continue doing so today.

I believe Smith continues to manufacture unique and quality products but my heart remains with the earlier models. For the past 10 years, I have continued periodic purchases of five screw Smiths and three screw Rugers, when the timing and condition warrants my doing so.

That's my story and I imagine it mirrors that of many other vintage forum members.

Here are three of the "N" frame Mod 29-2s in my collection that I'm proud of...

They were all acquired during the time when Mod 29s were almost non-existent through regular channels The Vietnam Was was still in progress and firearms production was being consumed for that effort.

It was also a time when the "Dirty Harry" movies had been out and people were paying 4 times the retail price to purchase all barrel length 29s when they could find them. Many 29s were sold for $500 and that could be two months pay.

I was a first year college student when I bought all three of these pistols. I was working on a ranch during the summer hauling hay and making $1.50 per hour. To say it was a hardship to buy them at the time would be an understatement.

Here is a picture of the three 29-2s I've managed to keep all these years. They remain new and unfired since leaving the factory and I'm the original owner. (I have others I shoot and hunt with)...

Those are beautiful. I don't know how you managed to keep them all these years without relenting and shooting at least one of them!

I understand your story well. Mine is different in the details, but I think I can say I know where you are coming from.

Thanks for the complement....

I was fortunate to create a successful business while still in college. The money that didn't go into the business went into guns.

I was also fortunate to have started my collection in 1971 during the period of P&R S&Ws. A network of friends up and down the west coast, as well as some jobbers and distributors, would notify me when particular firearms of interest were delivered to dealers and I would be on my way.

When many of my friends were out partying I was chasing handguns. I've ended up with quite a large collection of NIB pistols of which I am also the original owner.

Yes, I shoot them too... I've also hunted big game (black bear and elk) successfully with them for over 35 years. Two of the pistols in my current shooter group have been with me from near the beginning.... a 6 inch Mod 57 and a 2 1/2inch 66. They were duplicate revolvers as is a Mod 29-2 8 3/8 not shown in the picture of current shooters below.

I love S&W handguns and nope, none are for sale. They all have their individual story and I couldn't part with any of them. My family will have to deal with there future when I'm gone....

Still got 3 I bought new in early 70's still in original boxes - my first real job under my belt. $9k a year was real money then.
The first was a model 60 in 1971 when they were bringing a 100% premium over retail. Dealer told me they had to buy tons of S&W leather goods and ammo to get one model 60. Ser #R51xxx. Retail was $65.00 IIRC- That's how long ago it was. I bobbed the hammer and have carried it as a kit gun and for defense over the years.

#2 was a mod 34 4" Sq butt around the same time frame - early '72. It was $110 + tx. Great trail gun, and really nice blue finish.

#3 Mod 29 Nickel 6 1/2. Probably 1973. Dirty Harry was making my day and mod 29 were back ordered 18 months to the public. Police officers orders were getting thru with preference. A friend of mine was ordering one and I wanted the mod 19, so that's how they were ordered. His cost was $135 for the mod 19 and $191 for the mod 29. By the time they came in, he was broke and I bought both. That was a stretch but couldn't turn it down. 29's were no where to be found. I put a scope on it years later and kill my biggest deer with it ... a 10 pointer at about 10 yrds. He just dropped to his knees and rolled over. I'm looking at him as I type.

Whoops - make that 4. I got an early mod 66 with all stainless sights, from local hardware store. The owner kept a couple handguns in his safe and you had to ask to see one. My oldest son has it now.
Charlie

Thanks guys! I guess I expected there to be more of us "old timers" who still own "original purchase" P&R revolvers to be active on this board. I hope there are more people who will show there older S&W.

Here are a couple more P&R "N" frames not often seen... They are very early 629's.

This is my first S&W handgun which was purchased in 1973. At the time I ordered it from the local gun shop I could not make up my mind if it should have magnas or targets so the shop owner suggested ordering it with both. Remarkably both sets of stocks are numbered to the gun. I don't believe I have ever seen another pair of numbered targets. Although the photos are bit poor, here are a couple shots showing the gun with both sets of stocks.

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Doug

[QUOTE=firearmsunlimited;135701641] <snip>Remarkably both sets of stocks are numbered to the gun. I don't believe I have ever seen another pair of numbered targets..<snip>

That is something I haven't seen -- or even thought of before! If I had only known!! Hmmmm ... One pistol order with both Goncalo and Rosewood targets, smooth and checkered. The same in magna's all numbered to the same pistol -- please. ..

Where were you to tell us this forty years ago???

BTW... I wish I could take pictures as well as some of you guys. I have a lot to learn . I'm thinking about photographing my whole collection again... I'm learning, for instance, that picture color and temperature looks very different when viewed on a very high resolution desktop monitor and then again on an inexpensive laptop....

Purchased new 29Oct71, for $135.72, including tax. It went to work the next day. - 'ole joe

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Semper Fidelis
West Virginia

That was the same price ($135) I paid for my 29-2 with three 'T's in the presentation box in March of 1973! Mine is a 4 inch. I guess inflation wasn't an issue at the time. It went to work in a suede lined Safariland Jordan high rise, black basket weave. Oh, like yourself, it remains in my possession today also.

Inflation wasn't the issue w/ me. Salary was. My wife chipped in to make up the difference I needed. - 'ole joe

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Semper Fidelis
West Virginia

Our local police dept. ordered some of these Smiths from the local hardware store to use as practice weapons. They found out that it was cheaper to reload .38's than to buy the .22 LR ammo, so they backed out of the purchase. The hardware store got stuck with the pistols and they sold them off at cost. My father bought this one. (I think he paid $50.00) He only shot a few cylinders through it, but I put all the wear on it when I was in my early tweens.
I have posted this picture before so please excuse the repeat. Ken

Go ahead and start photographing, but before you start serious editing, invest in a monitor calibration program. There are a couple out there, like SpyderPro, for instance. Very helpful - especially if you are trying to transfer what you see on the screen to a print.

Eltioloco, whether repeated or not, that is a great shot of your .22 CM. I really like it. I'd be the last to criticize pure "record" shots as they serve a useful purpose in our hobby just like they do wherever there is a need for pure illustration, but I do enjoy pics like that one that tell a story. Nicely done.

M29since14, Thanks for the complement.
Everything in this photo means a lot to me.
My Grandmother made the little pouch for my Father out of a flour sack to be used as a possible bag. When my Father was a youngster he used the bag to carry his .22 shells in.
The box of low velocity .22 bullets was always in the pistol box with the pistol and cleaning kit. I was taught to use the cleaning kit before putting the pistol away.

The photo tell us that. Thanks for the story.

I'm going to run this thread through one more time and invite a few others to share their S&W pictures and their stories with us.

As for me, I've seen at least a dozen revolvers I'd like to own. When I read some of these stories that too brings back so many great memories.... These stories can put them in a time capsule that can make firearms so much more than just a hunk of steel and wood....

Great bunch of people here with some outstanding personal treasures....

Who has been an original owner the longest and what sort of revolver is it?

It looks like teesur and his K-22 with 53 years together!

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"I also cook."

I purchased this 19-3 in 1974. It has been my home protection gun for all these years. I take it to the range or farm fairly often and it has never had a single missfire or problem of any kind. The Ahrends grips are a new addition.

I have two that I bought new and still have. Many others have been sold or traded and I have a few P&Rs bought used. My two originals are a M-53, .22Rem Jet I bought in 1965 when I was a senior in college. Paid $126.50 on time (for a long time). The second is a M-19-3 I bought in 1970 as an AF 1/Lt making somewhat less than $400 a month. The catalog price at the time was $135.00. I had one on order from the George F. Cake Co, Dallas, TX but I was so far down the waiting list I bought this one new in a San Antonio Pawn shop for $175. I carried it on duty in later years. I wouldn't sell either.

Keep shootin'

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Here's my first center fire handgun, bought in about 1965/66, used, for $75. It's still in excellent shape and a tackdriver with my midrange wadcutter reloads!
I made a mistake on this one! I had it out yesterday, looking at it, and it's not recessed! Sorry! Dick

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Back in May of 1982. Model 63. I was out of school had just passed the bar was single, 26, living in New Orleans and working at the Court of Appeal making the PRINCELY sum of $27,500 a year
And ya know what???????? I spend EVERY RED CENT OF IT

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Forum consigliere

That's a hoot Caj. Sounds like fledgling lawyers and junior bank officers were both "well payed" for their labors. That's exactly what I was making in 1982 at 25 years old.

Did a pretty good job of spending it as well. Of course I had the first kid in May that year too.

I was the original owner of both of these Model 28s. The top one was made in January of 1967, and bought in that year. The second one I bought for my dad in 1968. It was made in January of that year. My dad passed away in 1987, and I inherited his gun. This pair brings back some fond memories of when we used to go shooting together.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I would hope this sort of counts as I have my Dad's orginal 10-5 that he bought in 1968. When he died I inherited it from him and it will stay in the family forever. Other then that I own 30+ pinned S&W revolvers but none of them did I buy new.

I bought a 29-2 about 1968, and a 27-2 about 1970. I bought serveral new that I no longer have, darn it.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102