Post Your Very First 5-Screw S&W
- Thread starter RKmesa
- Start date
Pictures?, If I had any they'd be from an Insta'matic.
S&W HD 38-44 38sp 5" bbl Nickel finish.
Backstrap factory roll marked T.T.P. 46 (Tonawanda Township Police 46)
ser# 266058
Factory letter stated shipped with 9 others to a distributor in Buffalo NY. Can't recall the name, maybe 'Reed's' or something close to that.
Tonawanda is a city north of Buffalo, Tonawanda Township is more commonly known as Kenmore, NY (Village within the Town) also north side of Buffalo.
I've seen 3 or 4 other HD's all nickel 5" marked the same over the years. Different rack #'s.
Bought it in 1967. Cost $45.00 from a small garage dealer in Holley, NY.
Condition near exc.
Went back when I gathered the extra $$ and bought the 5" blued pre-war M&P he had later on. That one was $40.
Both long gone, sold or traded for something much much better.
But I have no idea what.
S&W HD 38-44 38sp 5" bbl Nickel finish.
Backstrap factory roll marked T.T.P. 46 (Tonawanda Township Police 46)
ser# 266058
Factory letter stated shipped with 9 others to a distributor in Buffalo NY. Can't recall the name, maybe 'Reed's' or something close to that.
Tonawanda is a city north of Buffalo, Tonawanda Township is more commonly known as Kenmore, NY (Village within the Town) also north side of Buffalo.
I've seen 3 or 4 other HD's all nickel 5" marked the same over the years. Different rack #'s.
Bought it in 1967. Cost $45.00 from a small garage dealer in Holley, NY.
Condition near exc.
Went back when I gathered the extra $$ and bought the 5" blued pre-war M&P he had later on. That one was $40.
Both long gone, sold or traded for something much much better.
But I have no idea what.
After seeing all these beautiful old guns, I have to admit it; I only have one five screw S&W.
My 1950 Army that a previous owner had evidently stored in its holster, but shows little actual signs of having been fired more than a few times.
When I went to post some photos, I realized the shots I had taken several years ago were too pathetic for posting, so I stopped and snapped the above shots a few minutes ago.
My 1950 Army that a previous owner had evidently stored in its holster, but shows little actual signs of having been fired more than a few times.
When I went to post some photos, I realized the shots I had taken several years ago were too pathetic for posting, so I stopped and snapped the above shots a few minutes ago.
.45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950, Military (a.k.a. 1950 Army) "Pre-Model 22. See P. 194 of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, for more information.
Salox
Member
A good yarn posted in 2016. Bringing it back up for an excellent thread!
Passing through Northern Minnesota, is usually a bone chilling journey, but summers are sweltering. In this instance, it was mid-July 2012, 100% humidity, 95 degrees, and haying season was coming to an end (we only get one cutting per year). Finished product was being shipped to local barns and equipment greased for next years' service. We had to travel between many small fields scattered around the swampy and heavily wooded Norhtland. A very labor intensive process. As the day cooled off, we were all looking forward to the end of season party! Big get together including whole pig rotisserie, deviled eggs, and crack your teeth cold Premium Grainbelt! When I say "we," I mean two families that have helped each other for many years caring for animals and the community. My family, and pal, Tyrel's family are synonymous in cultivating the crop, but he is much more prominent as a local business owner. His awesome display of persuasion is explained on the last day of harvest.
Finally, our concluding trip with the destination, PARTY! Our three quarter ton pickup hauling a 22 foot goose-neck trailer loaded with round and square bales, and a tired out 1950 tractor lumbered down the road. We were dog tired, not saying much, but a white sign stuck out of the ditch. That is odd in this country. It said MTA Timber Hall Convention. MTA? "Oh," Ty says. "This is the Minnesota Trappers Association Convention." "We should swing in for a quick look. They may have some scents, beaver castor or guns. What are you looking for Dave?" I said, "The only thing I'm looking for right now are a few Smith, in particular, a 5 screw pre-29 4 inch. Don't have one of those yet. And probably won't see one of those on a table for a long time." Holy! I would eat those words!!! We stopped the caravan at the Timber Hall, and it is dead. Dealers are talking to each other and some have relinquished themselves back to their campers. About 6 tables are still rolling, and on the last table out the door, there is a black case, S&W logo, and DO NOT TOUCH sign!
"Um, can I see that?" Craig, the dealer, looked unappreciative down his wide brimmed hat at my deplorable condition. "I suppose," he says. The case opens, and queue angelic music. Five Screw Four Inch Pre-29! Oh, yeah, BTW Jinks letter had to be peeled off the top of the gun. I wanted it!!! Whew! Then Ty says, "Hey! That's what you've been looking for!" Busted. "Yes, Ty, I know." "Excuse me, may I confer with my friend." Craig waffles, "why, by all means. You sound like you know your S&W's"
"Ty! I have to get this revolver! He wants $2250. I do not have the skrilla on me, and 1600 on Saturday, we cannot get it!" Ty smiles, he knows something… He says, "Brenda (Ty's mother) is horseback riding with the bank manager right now. Let me give them a call. You go back and deal on the revolver." Really, the bank manager of the Credit Union! Oh, happy day! "Craig, cash, right now, what is the price?" Craig, "$2000." Me, "One hour, done!" Of course, the how much are you going to put down is thrown out there. And I kid you not, I reached in my pocket to pull out three sweaty $20 bills stuck with hay seeds. But he took them!
The bank was not far away, half mile at most. Caravan parked out front, we sat on the green treated steps. Not far off in the distance, there were two horses bellies swinging back and forth. The riders side by side, laughing and pointing in our direction. When they arrived, it was something that would only occur in a small town. "Come on in," as the bank manager swings open the safe door. "How much do you need?" she inquires. "Uh, $2K." I say. Well, how else do you grovel for money!? "Here! That should do! Pay me back next week." She says. Seriously!
Back to the MTA Show! Cash in hand, caravan, and now a couple of horses. Solo, I walk in and approach Craig, "Well, you got it." Money on the table. "Incredible…" He was disappointed, and I was elated! "Well," he says, "you better take this too." He throws a gorgeous vintage leather holster on the table. "It came with it." I came out of the Timber Hall just glowing. Gun in holster with case in hand. Brenda says, "Hey! Give me that! It is mine for the ride home!" Brenda strapped the holster and 5 screw on her hip, gave a Wahoo! And full gallop off to the party!
Here is the piece with holster - I have a picture with Brenda, holster, horse et al. but she has not given consent to post it here, yet
My first was this 4" 1905 Target, totally devoid of blue. It languished on Guns International until I fell in love with it. It originally shipped to one of the infamous Hatfield clan, who was later killed when ambushed by some "Italians" due to an argument over bootlegging territory.
Regards,
Bruce
Regards,
Bruce
Targets Guy
US Veteran
My first five screw and first gun I ever lettered. Needed a prewar frame for grip work and found this at a PRO gun show. Was delivered to Franklin Ohio Police March 6, 1936, thought it was pretty neat being a LEO gun. Franklin is less than an hour from where show was and about same distance from my home, seems it didn't travel far in all those years.
Texas Star
US Veteran
A Second Model .455, about NRA VG Plus condition, bought in Denver in 1965, maybe in late '64. Paid $31.58 OTD, at, I think, Gart Bros. I was 19 as I recall, but the salesman figured that if I was old enough to be in the military (USAF) I should be able to buy a handgun. Legal age was 21, but no one who mattered cared. I already owned Colt and Webley .45's.
My first postwar five-screw was a M-1950 .45 Target with Mustang target grips. Accuracy with factory .45 AR ammo was awful, and I hated half moon clips. I soon traded it in on something, I think a M-29. It gave a lot more power for about the same bulk.
My first postwar five-screw was a M-1950 .45 Target with Mustang target grips. Accuracy with factory .45 AR ammo was awful, and I hated half moon clips. I soon traded it in on something, I think a M-29. It gave a lot more power for about the same bulk.
Top one was first about 10 years ago, the other two 8 years later as the opportunity presented.
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Biggfoot44
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That's easy, my first CF revolver ( first CF handgun ) . I am too computer illiterate to put pictures on the internet , and I'd probably be embarrassed to show it here .
A 4in M&P .32-20 . Well worn generally, and less than 50% nickle remains , original grips worn almost smooth .
Inspired by my Father's first revolver he aquired in 1930's Wyo . A well worn 4inch Colt Police Positive Special .( Which I now have, Dad having passed 1988 )
And my 4th CF revolver also , a 1942 Victory , a gift from my Father .
And my
A 4in M&P .32-20 . Well worn generally, and less than 50% nickle remains , original grips worn almost smooth .
Inspired by my Father's first revolver he aquired in 1930's Wyo . A well worn 4inch Colt Police Positive Special .( Which I now have, Dad having passed 1988 )
And my 4th CF revolver also , a 1942 Victory , a gift from my Father .
And my
Daniel Howe
US Veteran
Donald Paul
Member
… my first five screw is a 'pre-model' 10 with six inch barrel.
Made around 1947, all matching including grips.
From a {then} LGS in 1978 for $95.00 + tax.
Very nice condition.
Happy to have it, even though it's a plain-Jane.
-Don
Made around 1947, all matching including grips.
From a {then} LGS in 1978 for $95.00 + tax.
Very nice condition.
Happy to have it, even though it's a plain-Jane.
-Don
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handejector
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I can't do it because that was about 55 years ago. It was a well worn 5 screw, 4 inch Pre 29 with smooth GA grips. I traded it more than 40 years ago for two NIB Mod 29-2s. 
2 out of 3 left + 1 "I dunno"
5 screws?
Sold the 1931 Outdoorsman some years ago to another Forum Member, the 1946 K22 Masterpiece still in the collection and still very accurate and a wonderful example of S & W workmanship.
The 1952 "pre-27" also a very accurate gun to shoot and the closest I'll maybe ever come to an RM.
The one "I dunno" is the US Army Model 1899, has the right screws in the right spots, but I thought I heard that this being the first Hand Ejector, might be called a 4 screw or a "pre- 5 screw". This one Lettered shipping to the US Army in 1901, making it my "oldest" if not my "first"...."pre 5 screws"
5 screws?
Sold the 1931 Outdoorsman some years ago to another Forum Member, the 1946 K22 Masterpiece still in the collection and still very accurate and a wonderful example of S & W workmanship.
The 1952 "pre-27" also a very accurate gun to shoot and the closest I'll maybe ever come to an RM.
The one "I dunno" is the US Army Model 1899, has the right screws in the right spots, but I thought I heard that this being the first Hand Ejector, might be called a 4 screw or a "pre- 5 screw". This one Lettered shipping to the US Army in 1901, making it my "oldest" if not my "first"...."pre 5 screws"
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I can't do it because that was about 55 years ago. It was a well worn 5 screw, 4 inch Pre 29 with smooth GA grips. I traded it more than 40 years ago for two NIB Mod 29-2s.
Dang Lee - that is one that I would love to see.
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