Need info on original turn of the century S&W Catalogs please

[big_gus]

Today at the local gunshow, an old gentleman (more than twice my age) I have gotten to know over the past 2 years brought me what I am almost certain is an Original 1900 S&W catalog and GAVE IT TO ME. I told him I could not take it because I felt it was quite valueable and he kept insisting. He knows I love and have collected Smith and Colt Double actions. Actually he has several of them around the same time (even another 1900 or two) that came from a collector he knew from a kid. He said he used to go to his house and watch him guntrade and had a ball there. This guy had over 1800 guns when he died which I believe was sometime around the 60's or early 70's. He had owned a very good business in that area. Anyway I know nothing about S&W catalogs, but do know a little about Colts. Are these worth anywhere near what the Colts of similar age are worth? I have absolutely no desire to sell mine at all, but after I explained to him they could be very valuable, he did want me to find out for him. They are amazing condition, almost perfect. I had several dealers and individuals stop me wanting to buy it before I could even get it back to my table to put it in my bag. Anyway I did a little research and found an original 1901 which mine is very similar to, but was one of those deals you had to sign up to see what it sold for. Actaully mine is almost identical to the original 1901 I found other than color-same size and everything. The cover is made of a very old cloth like material and the rest is thick paper. Also I did find out the printer of the catalog went out of business/broke-up in 1923. Forgive me for not posting pictures yet. I had about 3 hours sleep last night and am exhausted, and will probably hit it again tomorrow lol. Thanks for your help.

 

[Masterpiece]

big_gus,

To answer your question...'Yes'...Early S&W Catalogs can be quite valuable!! Of course I'm sure you realize this depends on their scarcity, condition, etc.!! You can be assured we'll be able to give you a better idea of it's value & authenticity if you are able to post a few photos to see what you really have!! Hopefully that's possible!!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Big Gus
I have a large collection of Smith & Wesson paper and catalogs.
I'd be more than happy to help you and your friend. We can discuss value, scaricity and if a catalog is original or not. If you have a copy of Roy Jinks book he wrote with Robert Neal, there is a list of different publications. Supica & Nahus's book The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson has a section on catalogs that I wrote.
What color is the cover of the 1901, if it is blue, it is a repro. If it's original, the cover should be gray.
We are just starting to feel the effects of Sandy, so I may be off line for a while. I see your in Virginia, hopefully you stay safe and dry.
If you'd like, contact me at [email protected], or my cell 1-508-243-1481. Don't do anything with those catalogs until you have them appraised. You could be losing money.
Don

 

[big_gus]

Thanks for the replies.
I appreciate all the info, help, and telling me about the section in the Standard Catalog, I did not noitce it, of course I've about wore out my 3rd edition and going to have to upgrade to another before long-it has been tape several times lol. I believe mine is original. The only discrepencies I see is I guess some may call mine grey in color, but it looks more like a tan (light brown) color to me. Also it measures 4.25" x 5.5", not 4.125"x 5.375" like says in the standard catalog. Of course this is only 1/8" (.125") difference each way. Also mine has I900 instead of 1901 like pictured in tha catalog- meaning the 1 on mine is a roman numeral looking one (I). Actually all the numbers have more of an old style look to them. It does have 72 pages with old S&W logo on right with I900 underneath in black. On page 2 it has:
Loring & Axtell, Printers,
Springfield, Mass.

A great thing about this catalog is ALL the pages are absolutely pristine and have no discoloration AT ALL. The cover is not damaged in any way but probably has darkened some in my opinion and shows a couple very small spots of discoloration. Another thing I found very interesting was it has 3 staples but the middle one is underneath the cover. But The "interesting" thing is I have never seen staples like this, they have no hooks on the opposite side-meaning it looks like the top of the staple on both sides and cant find no hooks in the middle, so I'm about certain its not one on each side, of course I'm not goin to pull the pages or open the catalog realwide to find out for sure. I dont want to put a crease orany wear on the pages. The Staples are a little rusty also but has not discolored the cover where they are at. I will be extremely busy today (If Sandy doesnt pound us) so I will try to get pics up by Tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at the latest. I appreciate all the help, Thanks.

 

[big_gus]

Pics-I hope anyway lol

I hope here are the pics of the 1900:

 

[big_gus]

More Pics

5 more pics:

 

[big_gus]

Last Pic

Last Pic I have unless more are requested:

 

[Masterpiece]

big_gus,

I'll put in my two cents until Don Mundell (Club Gun Fan) is able to get back with you as I'm sure he is still dealing with this storm!! We took it so-so where I live, but I believe he was more directly in it's path & may take a bit longer for him to get back on track!!

Now, from what I'm seeing, I suspect your catalog is a reproduction as all of the Original 1900,1901 & 1903 S&W Catalogs I've ever owned in the past were Gray in color!! I also have never seen an original that was stapled through the outside cover as yours exhibits!! They were all stapled through the spine!! Yours also looks to have the pages folded & stacked on themselves which the originals did not!!

Hopefully Don didn't feel the full brunt of Sandy as some did & will be back to give you a more definitive answer soon!!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Gus
I sent a personal email to you. It is a repro, I have seen this catalog reproduced two other was, not like yours. The originals are gray.
By the way, we lost power for about 6 hours and little damage, nothing we can't handle.

 

[Masterpiece]

It is a repro, I have seen this catalog reproduced two other was, not like yours. The originals are gray.
By the way, we lost power for about 6 hours and little damage, nothing we can't handle.

Don,

Glad to hear you fared better than I had expected!! We didn't fare so well down here in Central Pa.!! Power,Phones were out for nearly 24 Hrs & trees down all over my property!! Just a mess in general!!

Anyway, I was pretty certain your assessment was going to fall along the same lines as myself, but I know you've probably seen a few I haven't over the years so I left the final decision up to you!! Thanks!!

 

[big_gus]

Usually I am a fairly good judge of character of these things, I guess I was wrong along with the 2 dealers at the show and another forum member here who thought it was real. I am not second guessing anyone by this statement. I just hate I got the old man's hopes up, I know he thought they were original (he just didnt know exactly what they were, he called them parts lists) because I know he had them for at least 50 years (he's about 80, maybe in 80's?). Anyway thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it, and I will pass it along to him at the next show... Mine still means just as much to me as if it were an original knowing where it came from and the generosity of him.

EDIT: I just wanted to add that the pages are not folded which is why it is stapled from the side. Each one is individual and actually has a very high quality thick paper with a very light eggshell type finish. Also the detail of the printing is amazing for an old reprodution. Anyway I was afraid to handle or open much thinking it was an original, but now I know its not, it doesnt matter that much, I can actually look at it now lol.