I returned yesterday from the S&WCA annual Symposium and thought in the interest of perhaps enticing people to consider joining, I would post a few photos here. First a few words about the Association. It was founded over 50 years ago by a few forward thinking individuals, including S&W historian Roy Jinks. Lest you think it's a collection of stuffy old guys, there are younger guys in the group and new blood is always welcome. For more info, follow this link: Information about the SWCA

Now for the pics!

Here's an interesting Model 12-2:



Wait! What's that cylinder release doing on the right side??? Well, this gun is one of an order of 12-2 models ordered by a French Police agency. What appears to be a cylinder release is actually a safety that prevents the gun from firing when engaged. Leave it to the French to need a safety on a revolver!


Next up is a "Do-it-yourself" Model 28 kit:



Indeed, other than the frame, everything is there to build a Model 28. These kits appear to be assembled from guns that were taken apart. There were two put up for sale in the auction and one even included part of the frame still attached to the barrel. Yours truly now owns it, but I've no idea what I'll ever do with it short of using it for a conversation piece.


The gun below in in the possession of a forum member though I will let him identify himself if he wishes. It was purchased new in Hollywood California and it's new owner sent it out for an outstanding engraving job. As pictured, it has both a 22 Jet cylinder and a .22 long rifle cylinder. The "star" who bought this gun and had it engraved? The King, Elvis Presley:



The guns I've posted here aren't even a drop in the bucket of what was on display. There were at least 3 guns owned by Teddy Roosevelt, one by outlaw Jesse James, and host of other noteworthy persons. There was a collection of various S&W models with serial number 0001. From Model 1's to more newer offerings, the gambit was wide and diverse and there was something there for everyone!

The SWCA has its symposium once a year and the symposium itself is nearly worth the price of joining. Besides that however, they are most knowledgeable group on all things S&W you will ever meet. Members also have access to free shipping date info as well as a discount on factory letters. And every member I've met has been friendly and never looked down on me for my lack of knowledge.

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I'll second what Tom S said; a great Symposium with many, many fine S&Ws and great folks to mingle with and learn about unusual S&W details. And there were interesting non-gun items too such as these two pieces of scrimshaw done by well known S&W factory engraver Russell J Smith. One of them went home with me, the other might show up at next year's gathering.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Including one 5 year old. She joined three years ago.

I had a great time meeting old and new friends. In case your wondering, security was provided by the county Sheriff's Department, 24-7. No-one enters the room without a SWCA badge.

__________________
Don Mundell

Thanks for the symposium info,
Where was it held this year?
Had the fortune of joining and attending way back in 2011 (IIRC) when it came down here to Orlando Florida which is only 3 hours away, that was a great show although I quickly ran out of cash!
Closest it's come since then has been NC and Baton Rouge, my buddy wanted to rent a van and drive up but the thought of transporting 100 S&W's worth over $1k each over thousands of miles and all the things that could go wrong scared me a bit....If the symposium is ever scheduled to return to South Florida I will be there for sure.

Concord, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte. Nice location. I made it all the way from Alaska, but it was a long day of flying with two plane changes on the way. Needless to say, I did not display.

Next year it is in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Hope to see you there. Be sure to join the SWCA so you can attend! If AZ is too far for you, it will be in Tulsa the year after.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Im an east coast guy and I hate flying (besides the fact I doubt Delta will allow me to check in 100 guns lol)...Florida is a very long state takes like 8 hours to hit Georgia from here an like 12 to Alabama.
the furthest west I've ever driven is central Kansas and that was in a mini van with a bed and 2 other drivers ( just missed getting hit by a tornado that day that leveled the neighboring town), Could see the bad weather up the highway and the X-GF refused to pull over till we starred seeing cars and trucks upside down on the shoulder and median....Doh!

On a side note if you are getting into collecting you might wanna consider getting a C&R (FFL 03) License, this allows you to buy from out of state residents and dealers and bring your acquisition home with you avoiding shipping and transfers.

Thanks for this info, I’d never considered it til now.
Is there a fixed age when a gun qualifies as C&R?

Most firearms 50 years old and older qualify as a curio & relic.

Bill

Yes, I am currently buying guns shipped in early 1972 as C&R, if not otherwise restricted, any gun 50yrs and older is a C&R.


To quote the ATF website:



Curios or relics. Firearms which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons. To be recognized as curios or relics, firearms must fall within one of the following categories:

1. 
   a. Firearms which were manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, but not including replicas thereof;
2. 
   b. Firearms which are certified by the curator of a municipal, State, or Federal museum which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest; and
3. 
   c. Any other firearms which derive a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event. Proof of qualification of a particular firearm under this category may be established by evidence of present value and evidence that like firearms are not available except as collector's items, or that the value of like firearms available in ordinary commercial channels is substantially less.

__________________
When words fail, music speaks.

You got me. I live an hour-plus from Glendale, on the other side of Phoenix (it is amazing just how sprawled out this metro area is!) and I can't let that get away from me. I'll be joining this year!

Hello,

What are the dates for the 2023 symposium in Glendale? Thanks!

June 21-25, at the Renaissance Hotel. Join the SWCA earlier.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thank you!