If you were starting a Smith Collection what would be your first 10 guns..

[27 Man]

10-4"
14
15-4"
15-2"
36-2"
19-4"
24-3-61/2"
25-2-61/2"
27-5"
29-6"

 

[Model52guy]

Here's the list I'm working on:
Model M Ladysmith (original ladysmith)
Model 41
Model 52
K22 outdoorsman (first year)
K22 masterpiece (first year)
Model 53
Model 48
Model 60
K32 masterpiece (1st year)
K38 masterpiece (1st year)

I have the first 8, looking hard for the last two.

 

[glenwolde]

Without reading all the replies....this is where I would go.

I'd stick with guns that were significant in my lifetime.

About the only auto I would have in the collection would be a Model 39. That's the only auto that I think S&W made that had a large influence. It was adopted by the Illinois State Police and set off the switch from revolvers to autos.

So...

Model 39, preferably a steel frame model which was one of the more rare variants.

Beyond that and getting into revolvers where they arguably have had a large influence we have J, K, L, and N frames.

In J frames I'll go with...

A Chiefs Special (pre-36)
A Model 60, the first commercially successful stainless firearm.

In K frames......

A Model 10. The classic M&P...preferably a 5" barrel
A Model 19. 4". Bill Jordan. Need I say more?
A Model 17
A Model 14
The classic K-22 and K-38. Go for the 8 3/8" barrels.

The L frame.
This gun was a marketing response to the K frame being too small and the N frame being too big while their competitor Colt had a gun that was "just right". I really don't think it's that significant, even if it's a great gun. But you need one for the collection. There's some rare variants with unfluted cyinder and/or DX front sights. Get one of those. So...

One L frame of your choice,

N frame.

This goes without saying...
A Model 27
A Model 29

I think that's 10...

There's lots of opportunities for follow-ons to these.

A Model 59, Model 52
The kit guns in the J frames
Tons of K frames. Model 15, 18, and the 2"-2 1/2" versions of the Model 10,15, and 19
Same with the L frames
Even more with the N frames....Models 57,58,24,25, and few pre-Model numbers like the Triple Lock and the 38-44.

 

[bigl1911]

Hey BigL

Did you pick up the Illinois State Police on GB last week or In Tulsa? Saw one on Gunbroker. Not too many of them! Good find

Tulsa… I will post soon…

 

[bigl1911]

Here's the list I'm working on:
Model M Ladysmith (original ladysmith)
Model 41
Model 52
K22 outdoorsman (first year)
K22 masterpiece (first year)
Model 53
Model 48
Model 60
K32 masterpiece (1st year)
K38 masterpiece (1st year)

I have the first 8, looking hard for the last two.

52 - The first year K22 Masterpiece is a K22-40 (2nd change).. Good list!!

 

[John Fugate]

A first year gun is always cool, but a good 2nd or 3rd or 7th year gun is not a deal breaker if the gun is stellar. I actually have several doubles of the same model. I like to study the slight changes you find even within the same model or even the same engineering change. Sight variations, grips, narrow ribs , flat latches. That's what I like about collecting smiths you have endless possibilities.

 

[ssgunnip]

I wanted to introduce myself as the mystery friend of Mark's/Big1911. In the past month I have picked up exactly ten S&W guns. The list is as follows and all are LNIB:
K-22 Gold Box
K-22 Pre War Red Box
K-32 Gold Box
1950 Model 45 Target
29-2 6" Nickel w Case and Sleeve
17-3 Nickel
Pre29 4" 4 Screw in Black Case
Pre27 6"
Pre27 3.5"
16-2 6" from 1968
I had a lot of help and none more than from Mark. I would like to thank him and also all you who chimed in with suggestions to get me started. I would also like to thank David Carol, David Pointer as well as John Fugate for all of their help as well as for selling me some really nice guns. I will try to post some pics in the near future and thanks for having me on the forum!

 

[bigl1911]

I wanted to introduce myself as the mystery friend of Mark's/Big1911. In the past month I have picked up exactly ten S&W guns. The list is as follows and all are LNIB:
K-22 Gold Box
K-22 Pre War Red Box
K-32 Gold Box
1950 Model 45 Target
29-2 6" Nickel w Case and Sleeve
17-3 Nickel
Pre29 4" 4 Screw in Black Case
Pre27 6"
Pre27 3.5"
16-2 6" from 1968
I had a lot of help and none more than from Mark. I would like to thank him and also all you who chimed in with suggestions to get me started. I would also like to thank David Carol, David Pointer as well as John Fugate for all of their help as well as for selling me some really nice guns. I will try to post some pics in the near future and thanks for having me on the forum!

Thanks Scott.. You did well…

 

[retiredbadge8091]

A modest collection should contain one each of the following, in any configuration that catches the collector's fancy:

1. Model 19
2. Model 18
3. Model 17
4. Model 29
5. Model 28
6 . Model 27
7. Model 25
8. Model 24
9. Model 36
10. Model 34

Of course if you see something else you like, or that is priced just right or...

 

[lrrifleman]

My old time gunsmith trained me well!

I got bit by the Smith revolver bug courtesy of my departed gunsmith, who had original, NIB Smiths and Colts going back into the '50s.

My S&W collection would consist of the following:
1. Model 14 K38 (K38 Masterpiece) with 3Ts, 6"*
2. Model 14 K38 (K38 Masterpiece) with 3Ts and factory single action kit, 6"
3. Model 16 K32 (K32 Masterpiece) with 3Ts, 6"
4. Model 17 K22 (K22 Masterpiece) with 3Ts, 6"*
5. Model 27 357 Magnum with 3Ts, 8 3/8"*
6. Model 40 Centennial with the working grip safety
7. Model 57 41 Magnum with 3Ts, 6.5"*
8. Model 41 with 7" barrel and factory muzzle brake
9. Model 46
10. Model 52 Master
11. Model 25 45 ACP, 3Ts

*=have

Sorry, I couldn't keep it to 10. My forte has been NRA 2700 matches. I have used my Model 27 for 200 meter IHMSA matches, and loved how it shot. I have my Model 57 for handgun hunting, which may or may not happen now that I am disabled. My goal had been deer, black bear, and a wild boar.

 

[bigl1911]

A modest collection should contain one each of the following, in any configuration that catches the collector's fancy:

1. Model 19
2. Model 18
3. Model 17
4. Model 29
5. Model 28
6 . Model 27
7. Model 25
8. Model 24
9. Model 36
10. Model 34

Of course if you see something else you like, or that is priced just right or...

RB.. Great list ask stye car with the other posts.. Thanks!!

 

[G-Mac]

10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 27 (or 28), 29, 36, 586 (or 686).

 

[BigBill]

For me, not being accustomed to money is no object, or having the depth of knowledge of many here. I would go with revolvers only, most blued, all with nice wood grips, representing all frame sizes & most calibers as possible without IL's & no dash's. Trying to include 2 J frame hammerless snubs a humpy & a 640, a model 10, mdl 29, 681, a RM, a combat masterpiece , a K-22, a couple of N frame big bores 10mm, 45lc, I ran out. I guess the early 9mm Chiefs special would be in the 2nd 10 along with the bottom feeders.

No money means going from the 1/4 pounders to the dollar menu.
To save money for hobbies. Even the P&J sandwiches are good.

 

[Erion929]

Great thread for a newbie to peruse through and get some ideas while learning

Not sure if I will ever get past the "novice collector" status....I'm pretty new at S&Ws at the tender age of 59

Wasn't even thinking of collecting, just started buying some things I liked. So far, I bought:

686-3, 4" Like new, no box
27-2, nickel 4", LNIB presentation box
1955 Pre27 3.5", blue
1953 Pre27 5", blue

Not sure where to go next, lots to learn.....what to do, what to do?


**

 

[jtcarm]

Model 26
Registered Magnums in 3 1/2 & 8 3/8
K-22
Wolf & Klar HE 3
1950 Target .44 Special
Pre Model 29
Pre-war .38 M&P
.38 Target Masterpiece.
4" Combat Magnum.

I'm somewhat eclectic among K & N frames. If I were to pick a 10-gun battery for use, it would look very similar, except maybe a couple of 3" K frames.

 

[bigl1911]

Great thread for a newbie to peruse through and get some ideas while learning

Not sure if I will ever get past the "novice collector" status....I'm pretty new at S&Ws at the tender age of 59

Wasn't even thinking of collecting, just started buying some things I liked. So far, I bought:

686-3, Like new, no box
27-2, nickel 4", LNIB presentation box
1955 Pre27 3.5", blue
1953 Pre27 5", blue

Not sure where to go next, lots to learn.....what to do, what to do?

Great start!! My call would be a Model 19..

 

[Erion929]

Great start!! My call would be a Model 19..

Thanks for the reply.....appreciate all suggestions and the thread!

Of note: Generally most M19s are not old enough for C&R, and since I'm in Cali, the only way to get them from out-of-state is then through Single Action Exemption....which adds another fee....there are very few are available by PPT in Cali.

 

[Izzydog]

If I was starting a collection, and actually had the money to buy some firearms, These would be on my list.

1. Victory model chambered in .38 special
2. 4" model 19
3. Model 64 no dash
4. 6" model 28-2 Highway Patrolman
5. 4" 28-2 Highway Patrolman
6. 4" 686
7. 2" 640 Centennial .38 special
8. 3" model 65
9. Model 29 in any barrel length
10. 5" model 625

 

[bigl1911]

Thanks for the reply.....appreciate all suggestions and the thread!

Of note: Generally most M19s are not old enough for C&R, and since I'm in Cali, the only way to get them from out-of-state is then through Single Action Exemption....which adds another fee....there are very few are available by PPT in Cali.

Okay allow me to help!! Before I received my CR and COE I was in the same place you are. In addition to the Model 19 revolvers born before 1966 (yes happy new year around the corner), there are a few 19 Models on the CR list. Three of the top examples are the 200th anniversary LAPD, HWY Patrol and Texas Ranger models...

 

[jtcarm]

Thanks for the reply.....appreciate all suggestions and the thread!

Of note: Generally most M19s are not old enough for C&R, and since I'm in Cali, the only way to get them from out-of-state is then through Single Action Exemption....which adds another fee....there are very few are available by PPT in Cali.

There should be plenty of former LEO guns in CA. Probably not in the best condition, though.