Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-17-2010, 04:50 PM
red9 red9 is offline
SWCA Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 1,045
Liked 2,500 Times in 460 Posts
Default Heritage series value

My collecting interest is primarily the older target revolvers. One exception has been the Heritage series, in particular the target models case hardened by Doug Turnbull, the master of case hardening. I think they are among the most beautiful (non-engraved) revolvers ever made.
These guns were ordered by Lew Horton c. 2001. When offered, I usually see them at, slightly below, or slightly above original issue prices, while everything else seems to have gone up. Is anyone with a crystal ball willing to guess what the future holds in store for them?

Bob Hart #946
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Heritage.jpg (92.3 KB, 371 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 03-17-2010, 05:33 PM
RidgwayCO RidgwayCO is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 12 Posts
Default

I own a M24-5 Heritage in .44 Special and a M25-11 Heritage in .45 Colt, both color-case hardened by Doug Turnbull. The Altamont factory grips look pretty, but don't fit my hands well, so I replaced them with Hogue's checkered, finger-grooved grips in rosewood and coco bolo. For some reason the Hogue grips fit me like they're custom-made...

For my money, these are some of the most beautiful handguns ever made. Supposedly S&W only made 308 (or 150, depending on the source) of the color-cased M24s, and only 150 of the color-cased M25s.

As far as future value, who knows? They are rare, with the striking Turnbull color-case treatment, and well-made (no mim parts or internal lock), but I don't know if that's enough to drive collector interest. For my purposes, I'm shooting them only with cast lead bullets at moderate velocities (they're both remarkably accurate and comfortable). So they won't be "new-in-box", but they'll be well cared for. After I'm gone, I'm sure someone will appreciate them...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 03-17-2010, 08:05 PM
Bullet Bob's Avatar
Bullet Bob Bullet Bob is offline
US Veteran
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Western NC
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 2,948
Liked 6,544 Times in 1,821 Posts
Default

They're fun to shoot. I have 2 of these, but with different grips:



This is actually a good belt gun for an N-frame, but I don't have many occasions to wear one:


This model 24 is my favorite:



All the grips are by Roy Fishpaw. I remember reading about these shortly before they came out, and ordered the 24 right away at full retail price, so obviously I'm not the guy to be seeking financial advice from.

I would say the majority of the people I heard from on this forum and where I lived at the time did not like the Heritage series - and they still might not, for all I know. The two biggest knocks I remember were that they didn't match the originals in many ways - for example having a frame-mounted firing pin, and for having case hardened frames, which was a tradition of that other company, not S&W. Because of these opinions it wasn't long before the other models were offered at sharply reduced prices. I could not have afforded them otherwise. It was also the time when internet gun sales were really taking off, but before it got crazy.

Since I shoot mine, the value will never go way up, but I don't care. I talk to a few 80 year olds every week, and I think I'll go shooting while I can. And if my son is waiting for my demise to get rich, he better start working harder
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 03-17-2010, 11:02 PM
brucev brucev is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Peach State! GA!!!
Posts: 5,913
Likes: 14,218
Liked 6,250 Times in 2,325 Posts
Default

One day I hope to own one of the heritage revolvers in .45 ACP w/ 4 " barrel. If I should be so luck I would own examples in .44 Special and .38 Special all w/ 4" barrels. Alas, my luck is consistently inconsistent.
__________________
<><
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-17-2010, 11:23 PM
buckeyeshooter1 buckeyeshooter1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 620
Likes: 14
Liked 24 Times in 14 Posts
Default

My guess is they will hold value because of the reputation of Turnbull Restoration. They are a modern day Griffin & Howe!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-18-2010, 12:25 AM
Allen-frame's Avatar
Allen-frame Allen-frame is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Florida,South,hell.
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 143
Liked 2,499 Times in 368 Posts
Default

I will chime in and add that any N frame in 44 or 45 caliber will retain its value. Especially if it's a short run of 100 to 200.
Case color by the master Turnbull? Only adds value to me.
I would buy any one I found in the $600. to $800. range.
But , I have not found one one yet.

Good luck ,, Allen Frame
__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-18-2010, 05:03 PM
boykinlp's Avatar
boykinlp boykinlp is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 7,221
Likes: 18,406
Liked 11,064 Times in 3,292 Posts
Default

Where the .22 caliber model?
__________________
Miss My Buddy crsides!!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-18-2010, 05:56 PM
pinkymingeo pinkymingeo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times in 23 Posts
Default

They weren't all case hardened. My 25-12 "Military" shoots better than I do, and I feel better about hot loads in it than I would in a 1917.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 03-18-2010, 05:58 PM
BUFF BUFF is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,062
Likes: 739
Liked 3,271 Times in 1,282 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by boykinlp View Post
Where the .22 caliber model?
Yes, there is, a 6 incher, the Model 17-8. 6 shot, adjustable sights. Both blue frames and color case hardened frames.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-12-2017, 01:15 PM
Stirling's Avatar
Stirling Stirling is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 852
Likes: 479
Liked 469 Times in 320 Posts
Question

I know this is a very old thread but I would be interested in knowing whether these revolvers are more desirable now?

If anyone could list which models were available in the series. Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-12-2017, 02:34 PM
Jebus35745's Avatar
Jebus35745 Jebus35745 is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Independence, OH, USA
Posts: 6,911
Likes: 28,791
Liked 7,158 Times in 2,579 Posts
Default

I have the model 17 that's all blue. Nice gun but wouldn't sell it, I like the pre-war look. The action isn't as smooth as I thought the performance center was capable of making it. Only 150 of each made. Bought a box for it on EBay the other day, should have it by Saturday. Would put the price in the low to mid teens, not many come up for sale. Larry
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-12-2017, 06:08 PM
Lobster Picnic Lobster Picnic is offline
Member
Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value Heritage series value  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 383
Liked 988 Times in 535 Posts
Default

I never liked the look. I like case colored hammers and triggers, but case coloring of the whole frame looks (to me) like somebody dropped a nice gun in an oily puddle.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
Reply

Tags
colt, engraved, fishpaw, grooved, hardening, heritage, hogue, lew horton, lock, military, model 17, model 24, model 25, n-frame, rosewood

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New to me Heritage Series 25-11. Have questions md8232 Reloading 1 03-24-2017 08:25 PM
S&W Heritage Series 15 & 17 FTF Iowa woody1911 GUNS - For Sale or Trade 2 09-13-2015 08:27 AM
Heritage series M-1917 johnnyo55 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 7 01-13-2014 12:30 AM
Heritage Series K-22 jw mathews S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 9 08-08-2013 12:27 PM
S & W Heritage Series Old Navy Submariner S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 27 12-06-2011 10:04 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:29 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)