Collecting Themes

[H Richard]

My original thoughts years ago was to obtain every gun listed in the 1941 S&W catalog, (birth year). After I obtained a copy of the 41 catalog and looked up sll the items listed I came to the realization that there are too many really expensive guns in that category and many so rare I would never find them. I then decided to obtain one example of every decade S&W had been in business. Last fall when I found a #1, 1st Issue, 3rd type from 1858 I reached that goal. Now it's just whatever becomes available that I like.

 

[Robert L Wells]

That's just what I was thinking. I hope Mr Wells has a BIG house!
Jim

In my original post I forgot to list an L frame. I know that newer models are outside the year range of our forum group, but I want my theme to be as complete as possible. It will now take me six guns to pull off my master plan. Note that they will all be .38 special or .357 magnum:

Model 14-1, K, 6", 1961, 6", Blue, Diamond Targets, Done
Model 10-5, K, 4", 1968, Blue, Magna PC Stocks, Done
Model 27-2, N, 5", 1977, Nickel, Football Targets, Done
Model 10 K or 36 J, 3", 1980s, Blue, Round Butt, TBD
Model 686, L, 4" or 6", 1980s, Stainless, Cut Out Targets, TBD
Model 640-1, Magnum J, 2", 1996, Stainless, Round Butt, Done

These models and years have other varieties of features such as pinned, pinned and recessed, not pinned, full under lug, shape of cylinder release. If I find the right Model 10 or 36 then there will be a 3" bull barrel.

I have a Model 10-8 (bull barrel 1984) and a Model 59 Automatic (with box, 1977), but they will have to be traded or sold to finance the acquisition of the 686 and 10 or 36. I have a left over 1947 M&P 5" that I've promised to a friend, and a Model 19-2 4" (1964) that could be swapped into the mix in place of the Model 10-5 (they are both keepers).

I know it seems silly for me to be carrying on about this, but my gun show days are about done (legs and back don't work well any more) and I think sites like Gun Trader are an insult. This set of revolvers will be a nice way to memorialize my active decades of collecting and shooting.

 

[lkabug]

I tried having a theme.......
But now it seems that if it's a Smith & Wesson it fits the "theme".
Now, where will I put that new safe? I'll determine the theme later.

 

[Valmet]

I've gone thru phases over the years myself...1903 Springfield's, Valmets, Belgian FALs, German Weatherbys, S&Ws...I've resigned myself to pretty much anything I like at moment so I can't really say I "collect anything" but guns in general anymore and I just accumulate.

 

[kraynky]

My theme is if I see it and I want it do I have money in my jeans pocket? I'm firmly in the jaws of the bug. The only thing that saves me from utter ruin is that I'm a shooter accumulater and rarity, perfect condition, original grips and boxes mean little to me.

We gotta be twins, separated at birth.

 

[MightyMouse4466]

For me it's all about S&W K frame's with non-adjustable sights & square butt frames, in 3-4" barrels, I just shoot them well. I need a model 65 3" barrel, round butt cuz I love the look of it. I also found a 681 4" that I want so bad but it's at a pawn shop and the man is so insulting/unreasonable to deal with that I would never give him my money, but I want it bad.
'

 

[oysterer]

Here is my theme, strictly enforced:

-pre-lock
-not stainless
-unfired or close to it
-at least one of each in each barrel length

 

[Hawg Rider]

Themes are fleeting, Grasshopper!

Ahhh- gun collecting themes...they are like swirls in a pond, Grasshopper. They start as a tiny focused circle, but quickly expand until they encompass the entire pond! I began acquiring S&Ws in the late 70s- my first was a beautiful brand spankin' new 4" Model 57 with the presentation case. The 57 was stolen a few months later, but I still have the case! I took a hiatus for a few years to raise a family, but later when I finally had a few free dollars, I caught the bug. I love S&W N-frames: Pre-model .357s and .44s and Models 25, 27, 28, 29 in particular, and that became "my theme". However, along came some nice firearms at reasonable prices- vintage K-frames, a Model of 1917, a Model of 1926, even a Colt Python, and...well, the original theme went out the window. Now I also have S&W pistols (1911, M&P .45, 9mm PC Shield for CCW, and others). Every time I try to re-focus on my theme, some other S&W revolver (or pistol) comes along that needs a good home. What else can I say? Enjoy.

 

[Robert L Wells]

Ahhh- gun collecting themes...they are like swirls in a pond, Grasshopper. They start as a tiny focused circle, but quickly expand until they encompass the entire pond! I began acquiring S&Ws in the late 70s- my first was a beautiful brand spankin' new 4" Model 57 with the presentation case. The 57 was stolen a few months later, but I still have the case! I took a hiatus for a few years to raise a family, but later when I finally had a few free dollars, I caught the bug. I love S&W N-frames: Pre-model .357s and .44s and Models 25, 27, 28, 29 in particular, and that became "my theme". However, along came some nice firearms at reasonable prices- vintage K-frames, a Model of 1917, a Model of 1926, even a Colt Python, and...well, the original theme went out the window. Now I also have S&W pistols (1911, M&P .45, 9mm PC Shield for CCW, and others). Every time I try to re-focus on my theme, some other S&W revolver (or pistol) comes along that needs a good home. What else can I say? Enjoy.

What a great ride! Believe it or not, I've owned many of those over the years. Our interests overlap! My collecting was always dynamic -- meaning that as different guns caught my attention I would sell to buy, or trade to get them. Civil War Era Tip-Up, 1917, Victory Models, (never owned a Registered Magnum, but had some Transition Models), M&Ps, 25s, 27s, 28s, 29s, first year 29, Steel Frame 39 (NIB), Model 520s (some NIB, when they could be had for about $350), first year Model 60 (NIB), just about every pinned barrel stainless steel Smith, K Frames, J Frames, and so on and so on. I won't mention all the other brands.

One problem became -- so many of them really were safe queens. What do you do with a gun you dare not shoot? It's boring. Gradually, as the 1990s drifted into the 2000s, my collecting drifted into a group of about eight that I liked to shoot. My favorite was the Model 25-5. I also love the standard 4" K Frame revolvers -- they fit the hand and earn their keep.

When I got sick and dispirited I gave my guns away, save a couple. Now I have decided to rebuild a small collection to memorialize my collecting and shooting days. They will be for remembering and fondling mostly, and to show respect for S&W, a great innovative company.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Theme: OCD (Old Chiefs Disorder).

I've been through postwar M&P love and Centennial love, and I have a few of each. I'd sell or trade any of them (and some of the other oddballs I've picked up) for another Chiefs Special.

My focus narrowed to Chiefs Specials, and I've been lucky enough to uproot some dandies. I remain on the hunt to fill in holes from every pre-lock year (1950 - 1999). I don't know that I'm truly interested in having 49 Chiefs, and I already have multiples from a single year. Now it's become mostly target of opportunity buys.

Have fun with whatever theme you choose. That'll keep it fresh and interesting.

 

[Robert L Wells]

Theme: OCD (Old Chiefs Disorder).

I've been through postwar M&P love and Centennial love, and I have a few of each. I'd sell or trade any of them (and some of the other oddballs I've picked up) for another Chiefs Special.

My focus narrowed to Chiefs Specials, and I've been lucky enough to uproot some dandies. I remain on the hunt to fill in holes from every pre-lock year (1950 - 1999). I don't know that I'm truly interested in having 49 Chiefs, and I already have multiples from a single year. Now it's become mostly target of opportunity buys.

Have fun with whatever theme you choose. That'll keep it fresh and interesting.

That would be an awesome collection to behold. He he ... "target of opportunity." Chiefs Specials Targets are hard to find. I think there are Model 60 3" Targets also
aren't there?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Yes, the two Model 60 Targets that pop into my head are 60-4 (.38 Special) and 60-10 (.357 Magnum). There are other newer ones, too.

I stick to blue and nickel (not stainless steel), and my only Target Model is a 36-6 in 3".

 

[runscott]

Some great ideas listed in this thread.

My collecting theme was to acquire a 'pre' model of each s&w magnum. It turns out that I have a pretty good birth year for a similar theme, so after picking up a '58 Patrolman I've decided to go with birth year .357's for s&w and Colt. I now have some good trade-bait to move forward and just need to start buying lottery tickets again.

I'm wondering if anyone here has ever found a gun corresponding to their exact birthday?

 

[Bacon]

Just lately I bought a Combat Masterpiece with the same birth year (1951) as me. Glad I did, it's a fine revolver. No photos yet.

Finding one with the exact birthday with the same month/day/year seems very difficult.

 

[JLM]

Simple. 45 ACP revolvers.* All of them.

* subject to change on the spur of the moment.

 

[kraynky]

Just lately I bought a Combat Masterpiece with the same birth year (1951) as me. Glad I did, it's a fine revolver. No photos yet.

Finding one with the exact birthday with the same month/day/year seems very difficult.

Took me until my mid to late 50's before I decided to seek out a '58 S&W. Ig turned out to be a nice 6" Highway Patrolman. Now I want the 4'.

Other than that, my theme is S&W or Marlin. Of course that's not the only rule. If I see it & like it, it's part of "my theme". I did the 1911 thing, the bolt action thing and recurve bows, but have only retained one or two of each now. I'll also admit this; I have a Taurus (G2) and a Kel-Tec (PMR 30) that I really enjoy shooting. I'm no snob when it comes to firearms I like.

So really, I guess there's no theme at all.

 

[runscott]

Took me until my mid to late 50's before I decided to seek out a '58 S&W. Ig turned out to be a nice 6" Highway Patrolman. Now I want the 4'.

I wonder how closely ours are related. Mine is S176xxx

 

[Old_Cop]

I'm always one gun away from having what I want.

 

[EarlB]

I've limited myself to pinned barrels - J, K and N frames in .38, .44 Mag, .44 Special, .357, .41 Mag, and .45 Colt. Don't tell my wife how many models, revisions, dashes, prefixes, screws and what not fall into that "limit"...shhhhhhh...

 

[TTSH]

Does anyone else have a collecting "theme" or strategy that they're working on?

I have had different themes at different times. I started off collecting stainless steel S&W revolvers back in the 70's because that was the "in" thing to do at that time (or so I thought). Fast forward through my "deep sleep" years to 2013... and I discovered 3rd Gens!

But now my 3rd Gen collection is more than sufficient and I have turned my attention back to pre-IL blued revolvers, mostly K-frames and a few J's (No N's other than dear old Dad's Model 28). But even that aspect of my collecting is very nearly complete thanks to a particularly successful 2018.

Along the way, I have veered off into a handful of "mini-themes", some worthwhile, some not so much.

What to turn to next? Honestly, I haven't solved that puzzle yet. I won't have a lot of money to invest in guns in 2019, so the numbers will be way down. I'll likely be doing more selling than buying. Still, I want to make what I do have to spend count!